I'm giving this absinthe marks. Visually, it's just about perfect, starting as a lovely and bright, peridot green and louching to an equally attractive, opalescent jade. The louche process itself seems just right, starting with heavy, rope-like "oil trails" and ending with the expected vanishing ring of green. I found the aroma before water to be intensely herbal, but it mellows as the water is added, and the anise comes to the forefront. The flavor is herbal, complex, and very interesting, with a soft and lingering bitterness that I found very pleasing; the finish is less perfect than the initial flavor but still very good. Overall, I would say this is the one of the better absinthes on the US market I've tried to date, and for the price, it is very hard to beat.

This first taste glass of Vieux Pontarlier was prepared with ice cold water, no sugar, and very slowly dripped.

Aroma pre-louche: I think it is important to experience a new absinthe's aroma upon opening the bottle and give a very first impression. Upon opening the bottle a familiar and expected wormwood-heavy aroma was omnipresent. It smells enticing. Upon pouring, the heavy wormwood aroma fades and takes a back seat to something more complex. Alcohol is, however, very apparent.

Color:

The color is by far the nicest I've personally experienced. It is crystal clear with no sediment, and represents for me a perfect coloration. It looks the most natural, and most absinthe-y I have seen yet.

Louche:

For me one of the most important characteristics. IT began as magnificent oily trails that seemed to conjure up the jade opalescence from somewhere unseen within. A bit quick to erupt, the full louche began almost after the blink of an eye and filled all but the top layer until around 2.5 it was complete. It's fantastic green color set in nicely and never move towards being too much white. It was so pretty at the start that I wish it lasted longer. The aroma was like cold candy canes, and while pleasant was not very powerful. Stopping the drip at around 3 or 3.5-1 I quickly stirred. Utterly gorgeous.

Flavor:

A fantastically blended flavor. Wormwood--so far as I believe it to be--jumps right onto your tongue and riding quickly in tow is a smooth mix of fennel and anise. I have no qualms about saying that, on instant reaction, this is the most fantastic thing I've ever tasted. It blends all the qualities of my previous absinthes and gives me a stern, yet enjoyable lesson in what absinthe should taste like. The texture on my tongue is of perfect creaminess. No biting alcohol. Although I do miss the nice numbness I've come to expect from others.

Finish:

The finish is quick and clean, almost as if the flavor completely vanishes leaving only a refreshing afterthought. It is naturally sweet in a way that sugar could ruin it. I would have liked the flavor to linger a bit longer, perhaps with a nice numb reminder on the tip of my tongue.

Overall:

This is delicious. It seems to be a perfect blend of all dominant absinthe flavors, and yet in some way I am almost missing having one jump out over another. I think that perhaps a lesser water ration might benefit this absinthe as it might allow for a more sharp bite to the tongue. Of course, this could just mean that it really is a very high quality absinthe with a particularly refined character. Overall, the best I've had so far--it doesn't cry out for sugar--and an absinthe that I have no doubt will replace at least one of my current mainstays.

*EDIT* So I tried one with sugar and, exposing my complete absinthe naivete, it isn't bad at all. The wormwood comes out a bit more, but the anise vanishes and you only get a hint of fennel. Not as catastrophic as I thought. I'm a bit confused now.

This is the second absinthe I ever tried, and with the bottle's contents now dwindling, it's time to do a review. Reviewing this absinthe's history, there was a lot of praise early on, and then some seeming production problems with funky/veggie odors and tastes of the tails end of the distillate. I haven't noticed this issue with my bottle, so perhaps EP has rectified the issue with this absinthe.

APPEARANCE: Very pretty, a nice, slightly-lemony peridot, very vibrant and clear, no haze or debris whatsoever. Rotating the glass and exposing it to light reveals turquoise, lime and other colors to the eye. Certainly not too light, nor too dark, this is a very bright and attractive absinthe whose color is thoroughly natural in appearance.

LOUCHE: Not too thin but perhaps a bit too thick, some light does pass through the bottom of the glass but refractory elements are limited. There is a nice, red-orange line where light passes through at the very bottom of the glass, very reminiscent of fire opal. The final, louched glass is milky green that retains a good deal of depth and color. Aside from the reds and oranges noted earlier, however, there are no other refractory elements present.

AROMA: The aroma from the bottle is caramel, sugar, anise and some alcohol. Pre-louche, in the the glass, it's almost all alcohol. During the louche, the aroma blossoms nicely from the glass, and post-louche there is a nice mix of herbal scents. Anise and pine hit first, with subtle notes of lemon and mint, and a general floral quality weaving its way through and around the rest. No funk, alcohol or vegetable notes - very clean. It's not perfect, and could perhaps stand to have a bit more "oomph" to it, but it's a very refreshing and enticing aroma.

FLAVOR/MOUTHFEEL: Anise, piquant spice and a mild bitterness introduce themselves in that order. The taste is clean and light without being lightweight, and is refreshing. There are no tingles or prickles as of star anise and the flavors, while not particularly complex, are perfectly in tune with one another. No "off" tastes are present, nor candy-like flavors. Very enjoyable.

FINISH: Smooth at first, then some mild heat and mild bitterness, followed by a lingering sweetness and spice. Very mild numbing on the tongue, only noticeable if focused upon, and the pleasant aftertaste lingers for awhile and primes the palate in desiring another sip.

OVERALL: I feel fortunate that either this bottle is very old, or EP has fixed their problems with this absinthe. This is a very delicious absinthe and although it is not as complex and nuanced as some of the very best, it is still a very fine absinthe and one of my favorites.

This is the second absinthe I ever tried, and with the bottle's contents now dwindling, it's time to do a review. Reviewing this absinthe's history, there was a lot of praise early on, and then some seeming production problems with funky/veggie odors and tastes of the tails end of the distillate. I haven't noticed this issue with my bottle, so perhaps EP has rectified the issue with this absinthe.

APPEARANCE: Very pretty, a nice, slightly-lemony peridot, very vibrant and clear, no haze or debris whatsoever. Rotating the glass and exposing it to light reveals turquoise, lime and other colors to the eye. Certainly not too light, nor too dark, this is a very bright and attractive absinthe whose color is thoroughly natural in appearance.

LOUCHE: Not too thin but perhaps a bit too thick, some light does pass through the bottom of the glass but refractory elements are limited. There is a nice, red-orange line where light passes through at the very bottom of the glass, very reminiscent of fire opal. The final, louched glass is milky green that retains a good deal of depth and color. Aside from the reds and oranges noted earlier, however, there are no other refractory elements present.

AROMA: The aroma from the bottle is caramel, sugar, anise and some alcohol. Pre-louche, in the the glass, it's almost all alcohol. During the louche, the aroma blossoms nicely from the glass, and post-louche there is a nice mix of herbal scents. Anise and pine hit first, with subtle notes of lemon and mint, and a general floral quality weaving its way through and around the rest. No funk, alcohol or vegetable notes - very clean. It's not perfect, and could perhaps stand to have a bit more "oomph" to it, but it's a very refreshing and enticing aroma.

FLAVOR/MOUTHFEEL: Anise, piquant spice and a mild bitterness introduce themselves in that order. The taste is clean and light without being lightweight, and is refreshing. There are no tingles or prickles as of star anise and the flavors, while not particularly complex, are perfectly in tune with one another. No "off" tastes are present, nor candy-like flavors. Very enjoyable.

FINISH: Smooth at first, then some mild heat and mild bitterness, followed by a lingering sweetness and spice. Very mild numbing on the tongue, only noticeable if focused upon, and the pleasant aftertaste lingers for awhile and primes the palate in desiring another sip.

OVERALL: I feel fortunate that either this bottle is very old, or EP has fixed their problems with this absinthe. This is a very delicious absinthe and although it is not as complex and nuanced as some of the very best, it is still a very fine absinthe and one of my favorites.

Appearance- A nice, light, slightly yellowish green.

Louche- Thick louche, can't see through the glass. As it louches it's a good display.

Aroma- Very much what I expect from a good, drinkable absinthe, although it didn't seem to fill the room during louche like others I've had. Very inviting when holding glass up for a drink. Slightly fruity and maybe a really subtle mint.

Flavor- After a bottle I consider this to be my standard against which all other absinthes shall be measured. It's not the greatest but it's very good. For me, just good/acceptable absinthe is often not really worth the price. This is. Not very or complex, but not lacking, like a sort of basic essence of what absinthe should probably be. Very fresh, again slightly fruity, nice balance of anise, and a little creamy. Good stuff.

Finish- Seemed really dependent on the water ratio, which is probably always true. I tend to enjoy the tongue numbness and with a low enough water ratio it delivered. No foul or 'off' after-taste of any kind, just a nice end to a pleasant drink. I believe I did notice the wormwood a bit more here.