La Clandestine Absinthe Superieure is a Other Absinthe crafted in Switzerland.
La Clandestine Absinthe Superieure is a crystal-clear Swiss absinthe that revives a pre-ban recipe from 1935, offering a smooth, complex flavor without the artificial coloring found in many modern absinthes. Interestingly, its creator, Claude-Alain Bugnon, initially produced it illegally in his garage, earning it the name "La Clandestine" and a reputation as a bootleg spirit before becoming a legally recognized absinthe distiller.
La Clandestine Absinthe Superieure stands out for its crystal-clear appearance and delicate, floral flavor profile - a stark contrast to the often green-hued, intensely herbal absinthes many drinkers expect; it's crafted in Switzerland using traditional 19th-century methods, including natural coloration from plants and a copper alembic still distillation process.
La Clandestine Absinthe Superieure shines when served in the traditional French method: slowly dripped over a sugar cube into cold water, creating a mesmerizing louche effect. It's also excellent in classic cocktails that call for absinthe, sipped neat in small amounts, or used as a flavor accent in culinary creations; enjoy it year-round, but it's particularly refreshing on warm summer evenings, pairing nicely with rich, savory dishes or light appetizers.
Nose: Fresh and herbaceous with prominent anise and fennel. Subtle hints of wormwood and melissa blend with light floral notes. Clean and crisp with no alcohol burn.
Palate: Smooth and well-balanced. Anise and fennel flavors dominate initially, followed by wormwood's gentle bitterness. Minty freshness and citrusy notes emerge. Creamy mouthfeel with a slight numbing effect.
Finish: Long and warming. The anise slowly fades, leaving a pleasant bitterness and lingering herbal complexity. Subtle sweetness balances the finish. Clean and refreshing with no harsh aftertaste.
La Clandestine Absinthe Superieure is crafted using a traditional Swiss recipe, with herbs like wormwood, fennel, and anise macerated in alcohol before distillation in small copper alembic stills. The clear, uncolored spirit that results is known as "La Bleue" in Switzerland, representing a style of absinthe that was produced secretly during the long period of absinthe prohibition.
LaClandestine Absinthe Supérieure is a hand-crafted absinthe in Switzerland, its birthplace. It is a beautifully balanced, yet full, blanche. Slightly less potent than the Verte absinthes but not at all lacking in any area. This is a really nice absinthe for a summer afternoon, or with some special friends who have never tasted it before. A very good introduction to the beverage while having all the qualities long time absinthe fans are looking for and enjoy. The distillation and maceration are expertly carried out resulting in a top shelf absinthe. This is what sets it apart from a lot of other brands who don’t quite have the process down, or are trying to make a crazy potent mouth numbing beverage.
The opening- as you slowly drip the water in, you’ll see the lovely diamond clear liquid begin to louche, the bouquet slowly begins to open and flashes of soft sapphire blue catch the light as the liquid rocks in the glass. This process is an absolute delight to watch. Take your time and enjoy the ritual, inhale the bouquet, enjoy the dance of the liquid as your glass is prepared. This is poetry, don’t rush it.
The palette is a beautiful mix of herbaceous flavours with no one specific component fighting for attention. I can detect lemon balm and verbena , fennel too that play very well together to give a well rounded mouth feel. Sugar is not needed with this one, it is not bitter.
The finish is delightfully herbal, with hints of wormwood and mint. You get a very slight…
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