Jump directly to content

The premier independent absinthe resource since 2003

Musset didn't write the way he did because he drank absinthe, instead he drank for the same reason for which he wrote just like that: namely out of despair.

-August Strindberg, 1886
Tjänstekvinnans Son
(The Son of a Servant)

Recommended absinthe vendors

The Absinthe Ritual - How to prepare an absinthe

 

La Clandestine Absinthe La Clandestine Absinthe

La Clandestine Absinthe

Brand information

Alcohol
53%
Size
0.7 liter
Manufacturer
Artemisia
Country
Switzerland
Color
Blanche
Type
Distilled

Made by former clandestine distiller, Claude-Alain Bugnon, this is probably the most well known Swiss La Bleue on the market.

Image Gallery

La Clandestine Absinthe

Editor reviews

 
La Clandestine Absinthe 2011-12-15 20:34:02 Markus Hartsmar
Absinthe.se rating 
 
4.0
Reviewed by Markus Hartsmar    December 15, 2011

Absinthe reviews

And another one from the heart of absinthe-land - Val de Travers in the Neuchatel region of Switzerland. As a former clandestine distiller - Claude Alain-Bugnon is now finally allowed to legally distill what he has loved and done for many years before. Absinthe. Nicely presented in a clear blue bottle with a label that combines modern thinking with belle epoque designs this crystal clear blanche absinthe, or La Bleue, looks really enchanting. Upon opening the bottle the characteristic scent of fennel arises and fills the room.

As with most La Bleues it's the fennel and anise that are the most evident scents in this one. There's a hint of hyssop and wormwood as well but they're easily overpowered by the others. Of course there are more herbs than those in it, but they are the most detectable - at least to me.

It's a rather rich and complex aroma yet very common to a La Bleue which is why I'm not really impressed or anything. Adding water to it almost instantly starts to produce a thick and milky white louche. Beautiful. It reminds a lot of the Kübler 53. The louching does release a bit more of the complexity in the aroma and the room starts to fill with various scents from the glass. Tasting it now is a pleasure. Dilluting it too little will actually result in a bit of a tongue-numbing feeling thanks to the lot of anethole but once you find the perfect ratio of absinthe and water it's a lovely drink. It's really nothing out of the ordinary but it's well made and it's very refreshing. You can't go wrong with this one. At first I thought the taste too would remind a lot of the Kübler 53 and though there are of course similarities they are actually quite different.

All in all this is actually a rather nice absinthe and I would truly recommend it to anyone.
Fee Verte scoresheet points
78
 
Powered by JReviews

- absinthe books and poetry -

Many writers "of old" wrote poems or passages about absinthe. Some drank it, some didn't. Find some of them here as well as reviews and notes on modern books about absinthe.  

Read more...

- latest news and additions -

The Absinthe Poetry section has seen several updates the past days. Poems and information about more authors; Antonin Artaud, Arthur Symons, Francis Saltus Saltus, Florence Folsom and Robert Loveman. Open your mind and have a drink while you enjoy their lyrics. 
Read more...

 

- absinthe.se on facebook -

It's the new bistro, the new bar in town. A good place to meet when meeting in real life isn't always an option. Meet me on facebook for more updates from the absinthe world.

Visit absinthe.se on facebook...