I agree with Brian that the packaging is pretty nice. This review was conducted with 1 sugar cube, a 4-to-1 ratio, and per the Absinthe Evaluation Instructions.

Color: Although the color wasn't bright, it had a green to golden brown color that gave it an aged feel.

Louche: The louche was a bit thin, didn't start until around the half-way mark, and seemed milky.

Aroma: Was on the weak side. However, what I did notice was nice and pleasant.

Flavor: Bitterness is a little overpowering at first, but the flavors are definitely more noticeable when it starts to subside. Reminds me of Obsello.

Finish: A nice near-clean mouth feel with a slight tingle.

Overall: Definitely acceptable. I think there needs to be some balance so the flavors come out more quickly. I don't think 1 sugar cube is enough, but 2 might be too much. I'd say either 1 and a half cubes or 2 of the smaller sized variety like Domino Dots.

Color- The color looks like a natural dark green and is very appealing.

Louche- I was frustrated by the variability on the louche. I prepared a few doses by pouring water in with a carafe or small pitcher, and the louche was always barely there. I tried slowing down my pouring speed, but it didn't seem to affect the overall louche. I was able to get a better louche on a slow drip from a fountain though, so that's a plus, but I don't like the inconsistency.

Aroma- The aroma is nice, but a little light on the fully prepared dose. During a slow fountain drip there are nice alternating aromas of the wormwood, the spearmint and the anise.

Flavor- I was a little thrown off by the spearmint at first, but the more I've had of the Vieux Carre, without sugar added, I've noticed that the spearmint and wormwood go really well together and are very balanced. Combined with the anise, all three flavors work very well together in a surprising way.

Finish- The finish is nice and light. The wormwood lingers for a little bit, but that's not a problem.

Overall- I really like how well balanced the spearmint and wormwood are. I was surprised at how well they go together with this absinthe. I think if they portions were different, it could result in something very unappetizing, but the Vieux Carre pulls it off.

And so comes the time when Americans learnt how to colour absinthe, once louched it is too green at the edges but nonetheless fine.

Louche is delicate and persistent

The aroma is built of Kirk's hyssop, some anise, very complex. The absinthe itself is herbal and balanced.

tasting:
Pleasant and with nicely accentuated genepi, pontica, wormwood, what not, and unique, yet not striving towards any style, long-lasting in the aftertaste, different as much as Leopold

Walton Waters and Pacifique are the front, just after them comes VC and Leopold, so not bad, not bad

I hadn’t had a good absinthe in quite a while, and figured it was time to pick up a bottle. After poking around drinkupNY, it seems like fresh US offerings are being released every day, as the selection has gotten vast since my last purchase. Indeed, much to my surprise and delight, among the best of these (Vieux Carré) is from a local operation, Philadelphia Distilling Company. A quick stroll down to the local spirits shoppe, and I had a [rather attractive] bottle in hand.

I should preface this review by noting I haven’t had a great many absinthes to this point. Just Duplais Balance, Lucid, and US Kübler (Balance being far and away the best of them). Enough to more or less know what I’m talking about, but far from an expert.

-Color-
Neat, it tends more toward an aged absinthe’s feuille morte, amber-green, rather than the verdant green most expect. I don’t find this to be inappropriate or unattractive, so no points docked in this regard. However, there’s a notable (some might say significant) amount of particulate. It settles out when given enough time, but even a slight jarring of the bottle brings it all back into suspension. This may be a style/motif Philly Distilling is going for, and I don’t find it off-putting, but all the absinthe’s I’ve tried and seen have been filtered to clarity. I’d give it a five if it was crystal clear, but I’m going to have to dock a point for particulate. I’m tempted not to, as I feel this was a deliberate move on the part of the distiller, but for now it gets a point off.
4 of 5

-Louche-
Occurs fairly fast, as others note. Well on it’s way to complete opacity at 1:1, pretty much there at 2:1, and completely opaque at 3:1. Very nice oil trails, nice layering, and the characteristic opalescence of a good ‘sinthe. Still, though, a bit too quick, and not quite perfect.
4 of 5

-Aroma-
When cracking the bottle, one smells – wait for it – absinthe! It’s quite good, with the alcohol well masked. Alpine meadow is cliché, but nonetheless a good way of describing it. Definitely a step above the Kübler (one dimensional) and lucid (close to one dimensional). Hard to say how it stacks up to the Duplais (which I liked quite a bit), as its been over two years since I’ve had it. In all, I’d stop short of calling it an ephiphanal, room-filling majesty, but still very good, and better than all but the best.
4 of 5

-Flavor-
Very, very good. Sampled at the distiller recommended 3:1, which I found to be about ideal. Refreshing is a good way to describe it. Feels substantial in the mouth, not too thin. Mix of herbs. Nuances to explore. Still not what I’d call perfect, but very solid.
4 of 5

-Finish-
I think the finish is where this one stands out the most. It has a very alpine, almost citrusy effect that lingers for some time. Solid 5 in this regard.
5 of 5

-Overall-
A solid product, at a competitive price point. Definitely one to try, particularly if you’re in PA. Not what I’d consider a “grail” absinthe, but better than all but the best.
4 of 5

Color (3 points): My bottle is a deep green, not unpleasant, and free of sediment, but slightly darker and more amber than I would expect from a relatively new absinthe.

Louche (5 points): Louche action was fantastic, thick, full, strong.

Aroma (4 points): A lovely balance of herbal aromas with an earthy component

Flavor (4 points): Robust and herbal, with an earthy undertone that makes this a very meaty flavor profile.

Finish (4 points): Finish is a nice continuation of the flavor, tingling the tongue slightly, with the strong herbal notes remaining on the throat.

Overall (4 points): Vieux Carré is a wonderful addition to the domestic absinthe market, and is most certainly one of the best values out there at under $60 a bottle. The strong louche and flavor profile make it perfect when seeking something substantive.

Presentation (no points): Beautiful decanter-style bottle looks impressive on any bar, unfortunately the clear glass means keeping it displayed where light can degrade its color is problematic.