Ideally green feuille morte on the rise.

The louche is too quick, at 1:2 is totally opaque. The finished colour is green and creamy.

The aroma, albeit deprived of wormwood note, reveals a pleasant nose of mint, veronica and anise.

Upon tasting, 1:3 is the best, absinthe is spicy and anisy, slightly heavy but not as much as a blanche. Wormwood well-pronounced, base is not obtrusive, fennel in the back, veronica prominent but not silencing the others.

It is almost an exemplary French verte, but I have no idea what has happened to the absinthe as of now and since they started filtering it.

The color is a completely natural, herbal green, but lacks brightness and nuance (3/5). After the louche, it develops into an opaque yellowish-green gradient, growing much more nuanced, but the louche process itself is not particularly smoky/swirly or interesting (4/5). The aromas really fill the room - a good quality about this absinthe - but are heavy on the anise (4/5). Flavor follows the aroma - strong, herbal, grape-based spirit with a pleasant wormwood undertaste, this is definitely authentic 19th-century style absinthe, but too heavy on the anise to really do justice to the other herbs (4/5). There were no unpleasant surprises in the finish, but the flavors did not really linger long enough for my taste (3/5). Overall, a finely crafted absinthe, one of the best on the market when it came out, but does not really stand out in any category. Secondary effects (lucid drunkenness/vivid dreams) were definitely present. Recommended strongly for beginners - you don't want to start with the best stuff right away. At 50 euros, the only quality absinthe that is as much of a bargain is Belle Amie.

Before water, the Verte de Fougerolles looks like an unusually clear olive oil, and it is perhaps not the most attractive absinthe on the market (especially if one is expecting a bright, peridot green). However, it louches to a pleasing, yellowish jade and when tasted proves a fragrant and flavorful drink. I would describe it as "herbal" and "leafy" and even a little wild. It is far from the most subtle absinthe I've tried, and it's one of the few I prefer with sugar. But if one is in the mood for a bold and arresting absinthe, I think this is a very good choice.