Absinthe Blog

See larger image Combier Blanchette absinthe flask 60% - 200 ml () New From: 14.40 In Stock

Combier Blanchette Absinthe is every bit an epitome of its name. It is an absinthe that has a blanche color (well, more like translucent) and is made for the Distillerie Combier. You could say that it is a designer spirit with big names directly involved in its production namely, Ted Breaux and Combier. Ted Breaux is considered to be the Grandfather of Absinthe, having studied the spirit since the mid 1990s, including tasting pre-banned versions and testing their composition (interestingly enough, he’s a chemist). Combier stands for The Combier Distillery where the Blanchette is made. The distillery has been around since the 1800s and remains virtually unchanged with Alambics from the premium absinthe maker, Pernot Fils.
Another thing that makes Combier Blanchette Absinthe stands out is that it brings history into the modern times, bringing together the two major hubs and historically influential places as far as absinthe goes, Val-de-Travers in Switzerland and France. Val de Travers is where it all started; it is where absinthe was born. Meanwhile, France is the center of distillery and prevalent consumption of the spirit back in the 1800s. Combier Blanchette Absinthe is made from an ancient Swiss recipe and is produced in the same distillery as its ancient version.

Silver Medal Winner at the 2006 International Wine and Spirits Competition and Gold Absinthe Spoon Winner at Pontarlier ‘Absinthiades’ 2006, Combier Blanchette Absinthe is a masterful and harmonious marriage of all the classical flavors of absinthe (wormwood, anise, fennel) and then some more in a 60%ABV concoction. Many profess that the spotlight is on wormwood on this although you get to taste most of the other ingredient before you get to its lasting, satisfyingly bitter taste. Combier Blanchette Absinthe creates a beautiful louche and brings out its full flavor when prepared the traditional way. Enthusiasts also swears that the Blanchette, like fine wine, gets better with age.

See larger image Chocolate Absinthe Liqueur 500 ml () New From: 13.61 In Stock

Many absinthe connoisseurs have vouched for the exquisite pairing of chocolate with absinthe. This perfect balance of flavors is perhaps the reason why the well-renowned and one of the world’s top distillers of contemporary absinthe, Paul Devoille, came up with Chocolate Absinthe Liqueur. This mild version of an absinthe, at 18% ABV, with the creamy inclusion of the best kind of chocolate captures the essence of what Paul Devoille represents: interesting combinations of surprising ingredients with the traditional brew that is absinthe (grand wormwood, anise and fennel). In and of itself, Chocolate Absinthe Liqueur is an adventure. Take the adventure up a notch by coming up with a cocktail mix all your own.

How does Czech absinthe differ from traditional absinthe? The world is in the midst of a new surge in the popularity of absinthe in general, but is important to differentiate between real absinthe and the faux types. This is not to insinuate that Czech-style absinthes are never the real deal; however most generally they are lacking certain key ingredients: namely, anise. These varieties have come to be known as Bohemian-style as they are produced in the Czech Republic. They often are called absinth, the lacking “e” at the end signifies the Bohemian-style recipes.

While traditional absinthes are named after grande wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), they contain a relatively small amount of the plant by volume. The main ingredients of traditional absinthe, named the “Holy Trinity” by connoisseurs, are wormwood, fennel, and anise, with anise being the predominate herb. Thus anise also lends absinthe its dominant flavor. Czech/Bohemian absinths generally lack anise or contain very little.

The primary component that all absinthes contain is ethanol – common drinking alcohol; and they contain it in large amounts. Czech absinthes also contain wormwood, which when combined with ethanol is extremely bitter. Traditional absinthes such as those produced in France and Switzerland are not bitter, but yield a much smoother, anise-flavored experience. In essence, Bohemian-style absinths are not really absinthes at all. They are simply wormwood-containing ethanol marketed under the guise of traditional absinthe in order to reap the profits generated by the new surge of absinthe consumption.

Another important difference in Bohemian-style absinths is that they are generally not produced by the process of distillation. They are simply high-proof alcohol or vodka cold mixed with herbal extracts and tinted with artificial coloring. Traditional varieties are distilled and twice macerated herbal/alcohol blends. In order to compete in the ever-discerning market of absinthes, some Czech absinthe producers are embracing the traditional methods of distillation/maceration along with traditional ingredients, thus breaking away from the Bohemian absinth stigma.

Although the liquor known as absinthe was officially discovered by Dr. Pierre Ordinaire, a Frenchman, he was in Switzerland at the time. For that reason the Swiss claim a shared ownership of the famed juice. When the thujone-containing beverage became known as “madness in a bottle”, the international community banned the sale and distribution of it. Swiss absinthe was banned in 1910. It was actually disallowed in the country’s constitution. In the year 2000 it was removed as a constitutional illegality, but remained illegal according to common laws of the land.

As of May 1, 2005, the ban was lifted in Switzerland completely. This was a direct result of the international trend to again embrace the hard beverage. The Swiss government saw an opportunity to generate revenue from heavy taxation on the enormously popular drink. Thus the legal production of traditional Swiss absinthe was reestablished. A tradition and history of quality distillation was reborn.

Swiss absinthe, along with several French varieties is known as the finest the world has to offer. Few countries, including the US, still disallow the production and sales of the wormwood-based intoxicant known to many as “The Green Fairy”. However, a distinct difference in the Swiss varieties lies in the fact that they are not macerated with chlorophyll-containing herbs which offer absinthe its green hue. These colorless varieties of absinthe are known as La Bleues. The Swiss are said to have left these varieties colorless during the period of absinthe prohibition because of the fact that is was easier to hide them as compared to their green-hued counterparts.

As with many Swiss products, the Swiss produce their absinthe with great care for quality and authenticity. They generally employ a combination of the “Holy Trinity” of ingredients: wormwood, fennel, and anise. They also utilize traditional methods of production, specifically the distillation process. True, traditional absinthe must be distilled in the opinions of absinthe connoisseurs because this mellows the extremely bitter nature of macerating wormwood and ethanol. So grab a bottle of high-quality Swiss absinthe and imbibe today! According to the Swiss, that’s how it is meant to be experienced.

Absinthe King of Spirits is a unique absinthe drink that has unmatched quality around the world. This famous drink was developed from the original Swiss recipe, but has strong influences from its Czech distillers.

Absinthe King of Spirits is the bottle to choose if high quality is the aim of your purchase. Absinthe King of Spirits is a Czech made product that contains no artificial colors or preservatives. The makers of Absinthe King of Spirits make sure to choose the highest quality herbs and essential ingredients. This process creates a unique strong-tasting absinthe that all are sure to love.

The reason why people like King of Spirits is because it’s a high-quality absinthe that contains 70 percent alcohol by volume. Absinthe King of Spirits also contains 10 mg/kg of thujone.

Absinthe King of Spirits Gold

This is it, right here. Absinthe King of Spirits Gold is one of the highest-quality absinthes that can be purchased today—it is also one of the most powerful of all the different kinds of absinthe. Absinthe King of Spirits Gold is the bottle that every absinthe connoisseur needs to complete the collection. This fine absinthe contains 70 percent alcohol by volume like its companion Absinthe King of Spirits, but this one is different in the amount of thujone that it contains: it contains 100 mg/kg of thujone! This is a very great amount similar to the legitimate absinthes that were being made in the 19th century.

Both of these great absinthes are bottled with fresh herbs and wormwood that distill inside the bottle. This important process leads to enhanced taste as well as greater thujone content. This creates a taste that is distinct and unique. This is the brand to choose if you are looking for a high-quality, superior absinthe that others look on with definitely envy. Absinthe King of Spirits is a good choice if you’re an avid absinthe drinker, but is also good if you’re new to the drink as well.