Best Absinthe Brands
Top Rated Absinthe
Choosing An Absinthe
Illegal in America for over 100 years, the mythical "Green Fairy" has again enchanted the United States. A century of abstinence has not dampened the mystery behind absinthe and her effects. On the contrary, it has tremendously enticed our interest.
Our absinthe reviews will focus on the most important aspects of buying an absinthe -- taste, aroma and value. We'll show you how to purchase a quality absinthe at a reasonable price. The absinthe brands we review vary in price from $60 to $110. You will see that it is not necessary to pay an arm and a leg to get a quality absinthe. Take a quick read through the reviews below for more information on the best absinthe to buy according to your tastes. Jade Nouvelle Orleans #1
Jade $110
Jade absinthe consists of 4 varieties. All are vertes - PF 1901, Espirit Edouard, Nouvelle Orleans, Oxygenee Terminus and Verte Suisse . These are hands down the finest absinthe you can buy if you can find them. Color Spectacular color. A beautiful, crystal clear Peridot. No sediment and crystal clear. Louche Wonderful icy trails that start out subtle and spread completely throughout. At a ratio of 3:1, the louche was an absolutely beautiful white with an ever so light hint of emerald. Aroma Very complex. Like a bouquet, the fragrance is layered and subtle. I had thought the Aroma was too weak to really fill the room then my neighbor stopped by and announced "My God you're place smells wonderful!" You can never go wrong choosing a Jade brand absinthe. |
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Mansinthe #2
Mansinthe Verte $60
This absinthe is produced under the supervision of shock rocker Marilyn Manson. Many absintheurs with their head in the sand avoid this one due to the reputation of its producer but it is truly a fine absinthe. And at $60 a bottle, you really can't go wrong.
Color
Light yellow/green. Absolutely gorgeous and natural looking. It has a lens like clarity making this Absinthe a real pleasure to behold.
Louche
Extremely beautiful Louche. Lots of swirling trails of different shades of green from the lightest Peridot to deeper currents of Emerald - all quite beautiful. Nice shimmering Opalescence to the finished Louche which is creamy and delicious looking, dense without being dull - the color is a definite plus.
Aroma
Rich and intriguing. Heady with notes of Licorice from Fennel and Anise. There's something deep and herbal that strikes a nice balance.
This absinthe is produced under the supervision of shock rocker Marilyn Manson. Many absintheurs with their head in the sand avoid this one due to the reputation of its producer but it is truly a fine absinthe. And at $60 a bottle, you really can't go wrong.
Color
Light yellow/green. Absolutely gorgeous and natural looking. It has a lens like clarity making this Absinthe a real pleasure to behold.
Louche
Extremely beautiful Louche. Lots of swirling trails of different shades of green from the lightest Peridot to deeper currents of Emerald - all quite beautiful. Nice shimmering Opalescence to the finished Louche which is creamy and delicious looking, dense without being dull - the color is a definite plus.
Aroma
Rich and intriguing. Heady with notes of Licorice from Fennel and Anise. There's something deep and herbal that strikes a nice balance.
Duplais #3
Duplais Verte $72
Made at the same distillery as Mansinthe, it is one of the finest Swiss absinthes available. Ultra smooth with a slight bite of wormwood, Duplais is a top pick.
Color
Gorgeous light Emerald. Definitely naturally colored. Perfectly translucent with no sign of sediment. This is very typical of all the absinthe produced by Matter-Luginbühl distillery. See also Mansinthe and Twin Tec.
Louche
Within 5-10 drops the puffy, swirling rolls begin. This beautiful show reveals a nice opalescent, milky color with an ever so slight green tint. Gorgeous to watch
Aroma
Spectacular! The beautiful bouquet of botanicals is present as soon as the louche begins and it completely fills the room. The alcohol is detectable but does not over power the floral notes.
Made at the same distillery as Mansinthe, it is one of the finest Swiss absinthes available. Ultra smooth with a slight bite of wormwood, Duplais is a top pick.
Color
Gorgeous light Emerald. Definitely naturally colored. Perfectly translucent with no sign of sediment. This is very typical of all the absinthe produced by Matter-Luginbühl distillery. See also Mansinthe and Twin Tec.
Louche
Within 5-10 drops the puffy, swirling rolls begin. This beautiful show reveals a nice opalescent, milky color with an ever so slight green tint. Gorgeous to watch
Aroma
Spectacular! The beautiful bouquet of botanicals is present as soon as the louche begins and it completely fills the room. The alcohol is detectable but does not over power the floral notes.
Kubler #4
Kubler Blanche $53
This one is a blanche or clear absinthe. The final coloring step is skipped on the blanche (and La Bleue) absinthe. I normally don't drink blanche as they have a totally different taste than verte but this one is truly refreshing and worth the $50 price tag.
Color
Crystal clear. Absolutely no sediment. There's the slightest viscosity to it, otherwise it looks and pours much like Vodka or any other crystal clear liqueur.
Louche
Very fast louche that ends looking milky and clear with a very faint hint of blue.
This one is a blanche or clear absinthe. The final coloring step is skipped on the blanche (and La Bleue) absinthe. I normally don't drink blanche as they have a totally different taste than verte but this one is truly refreshing and worth the $50 price tag.
Color
Crystal clear. Absolutely no sediment. There's the slightest viscosity to it, otherwise it looks and pours much like Vodka or any other crystal clear liqueur.
Louche
Very fast louche that ends looking milky and clear with a very faint hint of blue.
Aroma
Incredible aroma, especially if you like the smell of anise and fennel. Very clean and crisp with an almost "pine" taste way in the background. I perceived little to no alcohol. Uncomplicated and pleasant.
Incredible aroma, especially if you like the smell of anise and fennel. Very clean and crisp with an almost "pine" taste way in the background. I perceived little to no alcohol. Uncomplicated and pleasant.
Vieux Carre #5
Vieux Carre Verte $56
Produced in the US, this absinthe has a unique, almost caramel flavor I found very enjoyable. In the mid-price range, Vieux Carre has carved a niche among the other home-growns.
Color
Vieux Carre is a dark green with hints of amber. Like the bottle had been open for some time but it had not. There was also easily visible sediment in the bottle. Philadelphia Distilling Company
Louche
The louche begins immediately and quickly finishes to a milky, white opalescence. Very fluffy and thick - Absolutely delicious looking!
Aroma
Beautiful herbal notes quickly fill the room and are quite enjoyable. Very full and complex aroma that is definitely a plus for this absinthe.
Produced in the US, this absinthe has a unique, almost caramel flavor I found very enjoyable. In the mid-price range, Vieux Carre has carved a niche among the other home-growns.
Color
Vieux Carre is a dark green with hints of amber. Like the bottle had been open for some time but it had not. There was also easily visible sediment in the bottle. Philadelphia Distilling Company
Louche
The louche begins immediately and quickly finishes to a milky, white opalescence. Very fluffy and thick - Absolutely delicious looking!
Aroma
Beautiful herbal notes quickly fill the room and are quite enjoyable. Very full and complex aroma that is definitely a plus for this absinthe.
There are certainly other absinthe brands available in the US worthy of mention but these are the top picks. While shopping, you may also want to keep an eye out for: Delaware Phoenix, La Charlotte, La Clandestine, Pacifique, Vieux Pontarlier
Some absinthe brands simply do not meet the mark. A few you may want to think twice about include: La Fee, Le Tourment Vert, King Of Spirits. If you can try them for free, go for it. But I recommend not buying until you taste them.
Absinthe is an alcohol distilled with a list of herbs and botanicals. The "Holy Trinity" of absinthe herbs, as it is called by aficionados of the drink, are anise, fennel and Artemisia absinthium from which absinthe gets its name. Most absinthe contains other taste enhancing herbs such as Hyssop, Angelica and Coriander. Artemisia absinthium a.k.a. wormwood contains thujone the component believed to cause the "Absinthe Effect". Due to its high alcohol content, absinthe is prepared by mixing with water to create a "louche"
It doesn't matter if you are an experienced absintheur or just beginning your exploration of this grandest of liquors, our reviews of the best absinthe brands available in the US will help you decide which is right for you.
Some absinthe brands simply do not meet the mark. A few you may want to think twice about include: La Fee, Le Tourment Vert, King Of Spirits. If you can try them for free, go for it. But I recommend not buying until you taste them.
Absinthe is an alcohol distilled with a list of herbs and botanicals. The "Holy Trinity" of absinthe herbs, as it is called by aficionados of the drink, are anise, fennel and Artemisia absinthium from which absinthe gets its name. Most absinthe contains other taste enhancing herbs such as Hyssop, Angelica and Coriander. Artemisia absinthium a.k.a. wormwood contains thujone the component believed to cause the "Absinthe Effect". Due to its high alcohol content, absinthe is prepared by mixing with water to create a "louche"
It doesn't matter if you are an experienced absintheur or just beginning your exploration of this grandest of liquors, our reviews of the best absinthe brands available in the US will help you decide which is right for you.
