Lucid Absinthe, Taste Test Options

[mattm3]

Just got my 2 bottles of Lucid today and I could'nt wait to try it! Absinthe in the US for only $60, I had to!

Upon opening the bottle and smelling the precious necter I went "Blech-WTF!" it smells like Czeckerland! I read the bottle and yep our old friend 'beet alcohol' has reared its ugly head and shit on this parade...

But wait maybe it tastes better than it smells... slow drip, one suger cube... can't wait to try it... looks watery...louches like watered down hg...

let's try it ....AWWWWWWWWWWW NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Tastes like watered down CHEAP first attempt HG made with BEET ALCOHOL!

Ted how could you! Could'nt you charge $5 or $10 more and use grape alcohol like in Jade and add more herbs?

This is what we introduce to the American public?

I love the Jade absinthes but Ted this is crap! Please change it..................

[Crosby]

Fuck, now I'm real glad I ordered three bottles. I guess there's always ebay.

[mattm3]

Yeah and remember I used to like Logan fils! I would gladly trade for this crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Crosby]

That speaks volumes.

[mattm3]

Seriously, i'm so suprised at this crap. I think I feel something though... it may be secondfairies or alcohol poisoning from the cheap shit beet alcohol..................

[Crosby]

SpazAss seems to like it.


Bottle arrived securely packaged with an injection-molded styrofoam packing device. Uses less material than those used by other shippers, something I like. Cuz I'm that way.

The bottle is, as has been said, not nearly as silly-looking in person. I appreciated the very accurate historical text on the back, description of the French preparation method, and especially the notice at the very bottom:


Warning: Contents Highly Flammable! Serious risk of injury if contents ignited. Do not deliberately ignite or consume near open flame.

The Surgeon General's warning about pregnancy, etc. and the UPC symbol both scream, "American market"!

The use of a T-cork instead of a traditional cork seems a wise choice, and is perfectly appropriate to both the market and the price point of the product.

COLOR BEFORE WATER: 8 of 10

I'm not seeing the murkiness reported by others; mine's clear as a bell. It's a pale olive, light enough in coloration that it fades near the bottom of my glass (because I'm looking through a smaller volume). Could be a tad more robust in color, but attractive and natural-looking. Can see oil swirling about in the liquid.

AROMA: 25 of 30

Before water:

A rather light nose, but not so much weak as fresh and herbal, though neat it does smell fairly simple. It's not overwhelming, and does not have the heavy anise-bomb scent of a Spanish absenta. Alcohol is not strongly present, as I would expect from a quality product.

After water:

Increased complexity, it blooms as one would expect. Wormwood definitely not front and center, but I believe that to be the intended recipe, not a flaw. This is definitely a product for the fennel whores! Glad I did not add sugar (I usually don't); it smells more than sweet enough.

LOUCHE ACTION: 9 of 10

My see-saw dripper, loaded with chilled water, produces a storm of oil-trail clouds and fine bubbles until about 1:1.5. After this, a fog rises slowly from the bottom of the glass. A slower drip would probably have left a more defined layering, but even with the splashy see-saw, I could roughly tell when it was ready.

This would be an excellent choice for introducing an absinthe newbie to the drama of a slow louche.

COLOR AFTER LOUCHE: 8 of 10.

Whatever this absinthe lacks in out-of-bottle color is found, in my eyes, in the louched color. Nearly white at the narrow base of my swirl glass, it deepens in the depths to a delightful pale green. Not I only deduct points because the color lacks iridescence. I expected more glisten, after the show during the louche.

MOUTH-FEEL: 7 of 10

A tad on the thin side here. Sugar would likely improve the mouth-feel and add more body. However, it might negatively (to my taste) impact the flavor.

The mouth-feel is consistent with the appearance in the glass; this absinthe does not have strong legs.

However, there is no harshness or any unpleasantness.

TASTE: 17 of 20

Every bit as refreshing and herbal as it smells. Not an anise bomb at all, but with a building and lingering fennel aftertaste.

Without sugar, I could indeed see it marketed as a summer beverage.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: 9 of 10

I admit that price and convenience has added a point or even two to my overall impression; had I paid $80 for the bottle and nearly as much for shipping, I'd have given a 7 or 8. It's good, though I've had more complex products, and some which suited my tastes in herbal balance more completely. None of those aspects constitute flaws, however.

Lucid is an excellent everyday absinthe, and the price of $60 with free overnight shipping really can't be beat. I'd happily recommend it to anyone wishing to try absinthe, or anyone curious about the difference between, say, the Spanish absentas and Absinthes Suisse. It is a solid representation of quality distilled absinthe, and I'm glad to see it as the first US-legal absinthe. Cheers!

TrainerAZ scores Lucid 83 out of 100.

[mattm3]

Maybe he got the good stuff and someone poured a pint of rubbing alcohol in mine........

[Louched Liver]

Who could blame 'em?

[Louched Liver]

This review
beets mmme.

[TheGreenOne]

Ted this is crap!

Indeed!™

[Louchelooker]

Someone else on FV gave it an 82 out of 100. I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of mine.

Wait a minute. Smutttttty was prolly drinking the pee from one of his porn pics or something.

[TheGreenOne]

I've had worse but that's nothing to be proud of.

[Louched Liver]

Worse piss?

[Louched Liver]

I mean, I guess
I'll find out, but
it's only $60.

[Louched Liver]

How bad can
it be for that
pittance?

[TheGreenOne]

I had to try it. But for the price of 18 year old Scotch, not again.

[DrinkSlinger]

I remember getting my first bottle of Un Emile (because everyone had talked it up so much), only to be sadly disappointed by my first fishy whiff.

[Kirk]

Something tells me we'll never get the G&C analysis.

[mattm3]

Stuff definately had a kick to it but I sinked my second glass. Maybe I was expecting to much from Ted, or the batch needs to age out or something...........

As for Spaz's review maybe he had something else in his mouth that gave him a "creamy" mouth feel

At least this may open the door to someone who really cares about the taste of thier absinthe I would have gladly paid more to have a better base as well as a more 'Jade-like' product.. I've had first attempt HG's that totally blow this away.

[Crosby]

Spaz, like the Grate H, wants to suck up to Ted. He likes the body builder types.

[A.B. Normal]

He likes you, too, remember.
Maybe you and Ted have something in common after all...

[DrinkSlinger]

*snicker snicker*

[jaded prol]

It doesn't matter if Lucid sux or if Ted makes ridiculous or overblown claims. What is significant is that absinthe is now legal in the US. That is a major achievement! Lucid kicks the door open and Ted made it happen.

[Louched Liver]

I agree about the
legal absinthe being
a huge deal in our
lil' mountain village
of inbred retards.

[Louched Liver]

I still say
we did it.

[Louched Liver]

Lesee-
Spaz likey Cros+TBone.
~Y~ likey Cros+TBone.

No one has ever seen
Cros+TBone together...

[Louched Liver]

CROSBONE!!

[A.B. Normal]

Xit.

I really did laugh out loud at that one.

[DrinkSlinger]

Smutty'ole pal. Let's take a serious look at the issue at hand.

Absinthe is finally "legal" here in the US. Due largely to Veridian and possibly Ted. We all know they didn't invest time and money into this project because they just luv absinthe.

It's about PROFITABILITY. They want to get as good a return on their investment as possible. Everyone involved wants the cashola. It's the American way. So Ted, while eager to get involved in more absinthe related production, ultimately doesn't want to interfere with his own agenda. And Veridian wants to sell sell and collect collect. It's a fine balance I'm sure.

I'm assuming that there were marketing surveys done (although from their bottle design and marketing strategy I wonder). From this research Veridian must have found the upper limit of what they could sell their product for, and ultimately the upper limit of Lucid's quality.

So basically, Veridian gave Ted a limit on how much Lucid would cost to make, and taking his own interests into account, Ted came up with the best he could. We know Ted is capable of better, but that's not really the issue.

If there is a market for high end absinthe in the US, I'm sure someone will step up to fill it. It might be years down the road, but look at how far things have come in just the past 5 years.

Yeah, I wish a fantastic L'artisial product were available on the shelves, but you can shit in one hand and wish in the other...

[TheGreenOne]

That is the first time anyone has ever wanted to take a serious look at the issue in Smuttty's hand.

[DrinkSlinger]

That's on a cause Smutty's issue is usually smeared all over some dirty girls face.

[Louched Liver]

Good point.

[mattm3]

Yeah, Its grate to have legal absinthe and it did have a kick to it but I guess I was just a little let down...

[Louchelooker]

And like I said, Spaz wasn't the only one that gave it a good review. I don't know what the other person's credibility is but at least one person other than Spaz liked it. I was kinda wondering if they were just being nice though and Smutttty is actually being honest. Or if Smuttttty's standards are just so high because he's drank betterer piss out of a girls sniz.

[Louched Liver]

More than us,
anyway.

[jaded prol]

I'm drinking it now and I think its a very nice straightforward Pontarliar. Remeniscent of Jade and a bit thin but really pretty good for something you can buy on the shelf. No where near L'Artisinale but maybe that will rise again domestically in the future -- one can hope.

I might even like this better than the Jades in that is not as cloyingly sweet. I think I'll try it at about 2 and a half to 1.

[Le Gimp]

Just finished my first glass and I think it is pretty decent. Not as complex as better absinthe, but quite acceptable at it's price.

A tad light of flavor but pretty well balanced. There is a slight funk in the aroma before adding water, but that is the only detractor I've seen. Good louche with properly chilled water and a half tsp of simple syrup.

[Louchelooker]

I still haven't received mine yet. I ordered one bottle on the 13th at 2:39pm and they sent the "order shipped" notice on the 14th at 1:30pm and I didn't get it on the 15th. Maybe overnight shipping means two days later or something.

[jaded prol]

I'll save the rest of mine for the fest but it is decent as a simple absinthe, as Gimp pointed out -- without complexity. I drank a couple of glasses, the second with less water before moving on to someting better.

[Louchelooker]

Oh I wish I could review, I wish I could review,
hi ho the merry o, I wish I could review.

Two days later, still no Lucid. Not a
supply problem. The bottle went out
on the 14th. It's a shipping problem.
It's afternoon on the 16th and still
no bottle. AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaGGGGGGGGGGGGggggggggggggggHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[A.B. Normal]

A watched bottle never arrives.
Learned that a few years back.

[Louched Liver]

An unopened
1 never gets
drunk.

Or, so I've heard.

[Louchelooker]

End of another day and still no Lucid. WTF?

[Crosby]

I feel your pain.

[G&C]

I don't.
I hear a lot about it being thin.
Not enough herb per liter perhaps.

Then again, maybe I'm too numb from eating some St. Bernardus Prior 8 and ABT 12.

Lovely liquid bread this is.


Maybe it's time to move on to some real Absinthe?

This post has been edited by G&C: Jun 16 2007, 06:53 PM

[DrinkSlinger]

It is thin.
Just a little more depth and it would be pretty damn good.

As it is... ehhh, I give it a 6.5
Which of course is bumped to a 7.5 because I can get it for $60 shipped to my door in 2 days or less.

Would I pay more for something better? Yup, it's called Jade.

The choice is ours.

[Louched Liver]

Never thought that
choice would be a
choice.

[Louched Liver]

Don Walsh is
spinning in his
Thai love basket.

[Louched Liver]

He sure used to
tell me to fuck
off a lot.

[Crosby]

As hard as it is to believe, those were some damn good times.

[DrinkSlinger]

The good ole' days are always gooder than the nowadays.

[Crosby]

I guess that depends on who you are and how you view your future. You couldn't fucking pay me to go back more than five minutes. Well, if you've got Oxy's money, you might be able to buy a year. Pretty much any thing before that, no.

[A.B. Normal]

You could pay me to be Cros.

But only for a few mintutes.
And only for more than what I'd make in ten years.

[mattm3]

Lucid Tip of the Day:

Putting your lucid in a half gallon glass jug and shaking it a few times a day(aerating it) seems to have softened it out a little. Remember a similer trick was needed for Un Emile 68, coincidence maybe?

[jaded prol]

Trick 2:

water it 2-1. If still not satsified, save it for visitors.

[Louched Liver]

Good times?

I don't 'member them
as such-
Head and I were both
pretty much reviled back
then, and both would quit
FV off and on. My marriage
was becoming even more
a rent partner relationship.
I was drinking ungodly
amounts all by my lonesome.
FV was uptight and oh, so
very circumspect.
Weren't really no LFs.
HG knowledge was kept under
tight wraps and the sharing
of such was almost nonexistent.
What was available, absinthe
wise was risalbe, and either
cheap and crappy (pre 9/11
shipping from SC), or expensive
and a crap shoot. Or, expensive
and crappy.

[Louched Liver]

So-
Um, no...

[Louched Liver]

Dinky and I could
prolly swap places.

Cros and I, when
together, seem
inhabit the same
place where a soul
should be.

Dinky+Cros are like
those magnetic Scotty
dogs you could buy
outtah vending
machines-
turn 'em face to face
and they'd spin away
from each other, turn
'em front to back and
they'd sniff each the
other's ass.

I tried to get inside
Wogger.

[DrinkSlinger]

I didn't mean to infer that those days were all about glory.
There were some awfully dark times ('04)
but also some good moments we all managed to share.

Umm, I never even considered trying to get inside wogger. That would be like incest.
I like drinking with her though.
I'd fly 3000 miles just to get a buzz on with A.B.

[A.B. Normal]

And I thought my bar was creepy.

[Nymphadora]

I'm impressed a woman exists that Dinky respects.

[A.B. Normal]

I wouldn't go that far.

[Louched Liver]

Dinks,
I was referring to
der Cros' statement
about FV circa 01-02
or so.

[Louched Liver]

Nympin'+Not Pimpin',
Dinks respects
every woman
until she says-
"Yes".

[sixela]

Would I pay more for something better? Yup, it's called Jade.

That's going to make it quite low on G&C's scale, though.

[Crosby]

Onacuz he drinks much better stuff, always.

[sixela]

Don't rub it in.

[Crosby]

You and I don't have it all that bad.

[sixela]

But it's too transparent, so by Oxy's score card it's not that good, eh?

[Crosby]

Overnight shipping means three+ days, so I dunno. I'll be gone for the better part of this week, so I'll be the last to know.
On a positive note, I should be able to kill a work obligation and a passion for hot, dry, dead, old places in one shot.

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[Louched Liver]

Visiting Dr. O's wit?

[Louchelooker]

Overnight shipping means three+ days, so I dunno. I'll be gone for the better part of this week, so I'll be the last to know.
On a positive note, I should be able to kill a work obligation and a passion for hot, dry, dead, old places in one shot.

Yeah, three plus days. I haven't got mine yet either and I'm only in the next state over. Sheesh. I'll hold my breath today until it gets here.

[jaded prol]

Patience, it ain't worth holding your breath for.

[A.B. Normal]

...a passion for hot, dry, dead, old places in one shot.

Watch it. You're not so grate yourself, you know.

[DrinkSlinger]

QUOTE(DrinkSlinger @ Jun 17 2007, 06:17 AM) *

Would I pay more for something better? Yup, it's called Jade.

That's going to make it quite low on G&C's scale, though.

IMHO you can't buy much better than the Jades (if you leave out the N.O.).
If so, please drop me a link.

[sixela]

Depends on what you mean by "good".

To give but one example, HGers that like their products to be ultra clean might dislike the choices Ted has made because they see some choices as defects - more than mere mortals would.

In that sense, a lot of products can be "better" than Jade - it's not a one-dimensional linear scale.

[DrinkSlinger]

Are you saying a lot of current products are "better" than Jade, or that there exists a potential for products to be "better" than Jade?

I agree that a "better" product is possible, and that "better" is a widely subjective term, but I'm refering to "better" as an average. I believe that the Jades are, for the most part, the best of both worlds for the average to above average absinthe consumer.

Let's not include outliers such as crotchety HG'ers. Everyone knows you can never make them happy...

[sixela]

I agree that a "better" product is possible, and that "better" is a widely subjective term, but I'm refering [sic] to "better" as an average. I believe that the Jades are, for the most part, the best of both worlds for the average to above average absinthe consumer.

I made a similar argument myself on another forum, but I would hesitate to word it this way. Even this is a reductionism.

[A.B. Normal]

I haven't had anything Jade in so long I don't actually even remember how it tastes.

[DrinkSlinger]

Burnt™

[jaded prol]

Of the COs, I like the Fou verte, Eichelberger and Brut alambic as well if not more than the jades and some would say the Duplais is up there as well. The L' Artisanale was much better to my tastes.

This post has been edited by jaded prol: Jun 18 2007, 10:39 AM

[DrinkSlinger]

I agree on the L'artisinale... but it's NLA

Drat it!

[A.B. Normal]

Ditto.
I liked the Brut a lot as well.
Out of stock until Sept, though.

[Louchelooker]

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


It just arrived, finally, and I think it's o.k.

[Louchelooker]

Seriously though, I just had a Jade N.O. and an Eich verte and after having those two and making the Lucid the exact same way, it's like I am having another one of the two of those combined. The aroma, louche, taste, it's all there. Wow, I'm impressed. It is truly like a real absinthe from across the pond legal right here in the good ol' US of A. This is a big thing for the absintheurs of America. Excellent! Bravo! Now what's next? Dinky asked who was getting in on the American made stuff. I'll put in on that.

[DrinkSlinger]

It is ok.
better than ok
Just not grate.

4 years ago wolfgang would have made a killing with this stuff.
Now...

We're spoiled.

[Louchelooker]

I didn't say it was a "Felix" or anything. To me it tastes just like the N.O. or the Eich verte I just had. They are pretty good commercial products. I'm not trying to compare them to the HG's or even to the best commercials out there, which I don't think I've even tried yet. I haven't had any of the LaBleu's or the L'Artisanal or any of the newer stuff yet. The newest stuff I've had commercially is the Eich. So I think it is on par with the N.O. or the Eich. That's all. And that's pretty good.

[Louched Liver]

Good to hear.

[DrinkSlinger]

Funny you should mention that.
I did think Lucid tastes like less flavorful N.O.

Is that what Teddy's doing with all the N.O. nobody wants? Adding some beet alcohol and reselling it un Lucid.

Ever notice that Lucid spelled backwards is Dicul?
..and that Dicul was a Celtic Monk, from the Late 7th cent. Born in Ireland, he preached Christ in England in Norfolk and in Sussex. *

...and that Dickleburgh in Norfolk may be named after him.

...and there's a LF in Norfolk.

Makes you think.

* (http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/saintsd.htm)

[jaded prol]

Um, no butt you sound like a friend of mine who does that kind of thing as a joke. He's a cool guy and a real BSer.

[Louchelooker]

Well, Dinky's a real BS'er anyway.

[DrinkSlinger]

Only if you have vageene.

[TheGreenOne]

What about a copy of the novel...

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[Crosby]

Are you saying a lot of current products are "better" than Jade...

A lot of the new LBs are better. Most of the stuff Peter has brought to market post Jade, some with Oxy's help, are MUCH better.

[Crosby]

4 years ago wolfgang would have made a killing with this stuff.
Now...

Um, no.

Sorry.

Glad it's legal and all that good stuff, but Segarra and Serpis 65 are better.

[Crosby]

And there is nothing "Lucid" about it. I feel nothing but booze, bad booze. Neat this crap has the aroma of dried vomit in the Las Vegas sun. And yeah, it tastes like fucked up Jade NO.

Am I happy I can buy this in the USA? Only if it leads to a better product in the future. I can say fo' sure, just like the Jade NO, I'll never buy another bottle of this shit.

[DrinkSlinger]

So you're saying you don't like it?

[mattm3]

I wonder if it has to be this thin to get it to pass the t-jones test?

[Crosby]

Thin wouldn't be so bad, if it wasn't cheap and dirty too. Don't let that comment get you too wet.

[Louched Liver]

Thin, cheap, dirty, vomit.

You're almost there, just
add piss.

[jaded prol]

It's been done.







Not by me though.

[Louched Liver]

Never did find out
who the fuck that
fuckhead was.

[jaded prol]

My guess is pheuxbeau.

[Louched Liver]

That guy was so
xitfaced, he could
have done anything.

Hell, he became an
admin.

[Rimbaud]

Fucker disappeared into the ether.

Never even thanked me.

*poof*

[DrinkSlinger]

Funny how I disagree with my other two Stooges.

It's thin, weak, and has a slight N.O. funk, but for $60 and super fast delivery I'm not complaining.

[Louched Liver]

I'm not complaining.
I haven't even tried it.
I'm happy it happened
at all.

[TheGreenOne]

4 years ago wolfgang would have made a killing with this stuff.
Now...

Um, no.

Sorry.

Glad it's legal and all that good stuff, but Segarra and Serpis 65 are better.

When did lack of quality keep Wolfie from making money?

[DrinkSlinger]

Wolfie and Wolfgang - 2 different fellers.

Wolfgang's from Canadia and sold his own product.
Wolfie sold *ahem* Authentic Suisse LaBleue™.

[Louched Liver]

Or promised to sell
large quantities of
squeezin's, took
my money, then
ditched his wife and
kid for some skank.

[Louched Liver]

Kinda the same
mentality.

[Le Gimp]

Just did a DITA with it using Cook's Extra Dry champaign (fake) and it turned out pretty nice.

I like it.

In fact, I'll even recommend it to my brother.

[Crosby]

I think it may mix well with Fresca or Sprite, just not with water.

[Crosby]

Wolfie and Wolfgang - 2 different fellers.

The Wolfie you're thinking of was Wolvie.

[Crosby]

Cheep quality absinthe = bad hangover.

[Crosby]

It's thin, weak, and has a slight N.O. funk, but for $60 and super fast delivery I'm not complaining.

As has been said before, this is closer to good absinthe.

I don't even think Lucid is in the competition at this price point.

[Le Gimp]

It goes well with Cook's champaigne for a DITA.

[Louched Liver]

Spuck done been
DITAized.

[mattm3]

Cheep quality absinthe = bad hangover.

No shit, I had 4 glasses of LuShit last night, no fairies but a mind numbing hangover 2day........

[Louched Liver]

C'mon!

You don't have
a mind.

[mattm3]

Especially after last night... I tried very hard to feel 2nds last night but I feel more from Absente than from LuShit- Absinthe Crapier

[Rimbaud]

So it's not even worth ordering a glass of this shite in a bar? I know of a place in NYC that serves it...

[jaded prol]

It's not bad.


At least the bottle I got.

[Crosby]

I wish I would have orded a glass of it, instead of three fucking bottles.

[Louched Liver]

Ordering a glass
of absinthe in a
US bar is totally
worth it.

At least the 1st
time.

[DrinkSlinger]

Cros hates it
I think it's decent, but not grate.

Heheh. That'd be a great name change. From Lucid to Decent.

[Louched Liver]

The King, in his
graciousness has
sent me a bottle
that arrives Thu.

[Louched Liver]

I'll chime the
fuck in.

[Stroller]

Bout half a glass was enough for me.

Ted's Perique Liqueur was far more interesting. Very good.

[peridot]

I have had a few glasses of Lucid now and I hate it more each time I drink it.

[Wild Bill Turkey]

So you're not a Lucite?

[absinthist]

I wish I would have orded a glass of it, instead of three fucking bottles.

Thus, it should be sold like this: (the idea is not new, if the Filterated Czeckerland Xit is brand-new version of the old crap)

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[peridot]

WBT: Not a chance.

[jaded prol]

I've had a few glasses too and it isn't hard to save. It's not that bad but there is much better available -- hopefully in the US before long.

[TrainerAZ]

SpazAss seems to like it.

Just can't forget me, eh, Crosbone?

Since you've decided to bring me into the conversation:


I acknowledge that my score may have been influenced by lowered expectations.

Three or maybe four people (look it up at FV if you give a xit who, I don't remember) got it before I got mine, and all mentioned how cloudy it was, and the funk. Today/yesterday I saw more references to the funk over here. Haven't caught up at WS yet, guess I'll find out what they said next week.

My bottle was clear. Still is, last I checked, and funk-free.

I guess accurately reporting what I see, smell, and taste makes me a kiss-ass or a shill?

Oh no, they figured me out!

Next, they'll realize I was also shilling for Ted when Emi and AndrewT and I made the Merde Suisse label (Now with Sea Monkeys).

I still don't know why Ted didn't send me that bonus check for all my hard work . . .

Um, was that out loud?


I stand by Lucid being what I said it was, a good introductory absinthe. And if Ted, or Markus, or Dr. Fuckin' O produces a good product and I come by a sample, I'll continue to judge it based on the contents, not my -- or anyone else's -- opinion of the producer.

My review will be based on my largely-CO palate, not the HG-spoiled tastebuds of most here (to whom most any CO offering is xit anyway), or the vintage-spoiled "Syndicate™" crew, or vague memories of some Jade lab sample from 1998. I've got Lucid, Brut d'Alembic, and Prototype 31 (I think) in my cabinet. That and a tiny 3-year-old sample bottle which smells like perfume with plenty of hyssop. Pretty sure I recall where that came from. Nothing CO approaches it, at least not that I've smelled, and I don't expect it to. Compared to that, yeah, Lucid would get about a 60. Where's the point in ranking CO products against HG, for a BUYER'S GUIDE?

I don't expect Swizzle or l'Artisanale quality for $60, dunno why so many seem to think that'll happen. Like bitching that Wal-Mart doesn't stock Beluga caviar for $2.97 a pound.


Only thing I'd add post-review is that Lucid did give me a hangover. Not that time, but a couple weeks later when I had a bit more than one glass. Usually don't get hangovers from absinthe.

better than ok
Just not grate.

4 years ago wolfgang would have made a killing with this stuff.
Now...We're spoiled.

'zactly.

This post has been edited by TrainerAZ: Jul 27 2007, 03:54 PM

[Louched Liver]

Seems Cros just
mentioned you
liked it.

[greeneyes]

Rantity, rant-rant.

[Louched Liver]

You misspelled-
"hair trigger".

[Louched Liver]

Love lost since
the luvvy-duvvy
bitin' days?

[greeneyes]

What on Earth could you be talking about?
These days bite equally to or moreso than those gone by.

[mattm3]

Like I said- Ted how could you!


OVERALL IMPRESSION 6/10
Reminds me of Partisane but slightly more complex and with far better (but still not great) wormwood. Tastes more like a Guy product than a Breaux one. I could give it extra points for being the first US-legal absinthe but I think it's kinda insulting that this is the most our society is expected to be able to handle starting off. Even if it's true. Which I don't think it is.

peridot scores Lucid 60 out of 100

Trainer!!! I missed U!

[Louched Liver]

Damn, Smuttty...

[mattm3]

Just Kidding! (How's that fer mouth feel trainer)

[justabob]

Finally had a chance to sample the Lucid on Saturday. I find it to be a well crafted product and will do well at this price point. I personally did not care for the flavor profile. Too much fennel not enough aa. This was undoubtedly necessary to pass muster in the US.

The group I was with are not regular Absinthe drinkers, they all liked it. Especially that cool bottle!

[Kirk]

Bubbles! How's it going man?

[Louchelooker]

Is price point the new
buzz word? (no, I'm not
trying to call you out
Bob) I've seen it in
a few peoples posts since
the Lucid came out and
(I think) Ted said
"price point". Then a few
people jumped on it and
started talking like accountants
or something. When they weren't
before. Or maybe I'm just
drunk enough to make
an ass out of myself.
I do that quite well.

[mthuilli]

No xit?

[DrinkSlinger]

Especially that cool bottle!

I just had a little gathering for absinthe newbies, and the exact same thing happened. I was in the middle of the "history of absinthe" speach when a girl pointed at the Lucid bottle and said, "That's a really kewel bottle".

AAAARGH!

[mthuilli]

Was she hot?
Could be an excuse.

[justabob]

Bubbles! How's it going man?

doing good buddy

just waitin on the harvest

[TrainerAZ]

Seems Cros just
mentioned you
liked it.

It was Crosbone's later accusation of skewing my review because I want to kiss Ted's ass (or fuck it, whichever) that ticked me off.

Yeah, I read the whole thread before posting.

Just Kidding! (How's that fer mouth feel trainer)

Been practicing, I see!


I do several shows a week at FV,
do stop in.

[Crosby]

So, how'd he taste?

[Wild Bill Turkey]

[Crosby]

[balzdeep]

OK, driving by the liquor store today, on an impulse pulled in and bought a bottle for 61.50 (67 with tax, I know, freakin' health nuts in this state).

The first thing that hit me when opening it was that it was likely bottled WAY below 5200 feet as the damned thing spurted a spray out of it. After that, actually a pleasent odor reminescent of the other Jade products. Sniff up-close revealed a bit more of an alcoholic bite than the Jades but not a bad smelling product.

Poured the first glass (and the glass drinking now) without sugar, very nice louche, nice mix of herbal odors as the glass became more dilute.

First drink revealed the obvious beet alcohol base. Good aftertaste, not a bad absinthe, however every taste begins with the harsh alcohol base that always makes ya wonder why Ted can't concentrate it into an oil mix and save him a few bucks in import fees.

Overall feel it is as good if not better than a lot of the HG's I initially drank at the era of LF '03, with most of those using an everclear-type base. However, it cannot compete with the other Jade products or other commercial products using a finer base or a stronger flavor profile, nor many of the HG's I have had since LF '03.

As for Dinky saying "4 years ago wolfgang would have made a killing with this stuff. Now...We're spoiled."
I disagree. It does have a better herbal profile than Wolfgang ever had, however I would love to taste his base again, as I feel it was the most unique yet complementing bases I have ever tasted (even though it took me a full bottle before I began to feel that way). I guess the score for me is French CanuckyFuckyLand 1, French Southern US in France 0.

Won't be buying another bottle again, still waiting for the Kubler to show it's little face. Granted it does have a bit of a funk but it's a funk I can take well. That and it's getting to La Bleu season again.


*** Edited to point out that after no secondfareys noted after drinking 2-1/2 glasses. Granted, not a lot, however have to remember that I haven't drank more than 10 glasses of absinthe in the past year (none since mid-feb), and usually felt secondaries after a couple of glasses. Do have a bit of a drunk happening, however. Will post more on that later...

******* Edited again at ~1AM MST -- finished my fourth glass of Lucid. Normally non-cognitive after four glasses of absinthe, yet able to type. Overall very disappointed. A good Arak will suffice...

Unless Kubler pulls thru in-time...will pass word to DaveCo as to whom they should recommend...LaPhroig perchance...

This post has been edited by balzdeep: Mar 25 2008, 10:32 PM

[Louched Liver]

I've got a box w/PooSid
and Kubler sitting on the
floor for when Uncle Mick
and aunt 3X5 xow up
next week.

Not happy that's what's
available for what I
wanna pay, but that's
how da fuck it be.

[TheGreenOne]

driving by the liquor store today, on an impulse pulled in

Bet that's not the first time that happened.

[Absinthe_1900]

Unlike the typical Lounge member that has their own reserved parking spot.

[Stroller]

Lucid never looked so good.

[Crosby]

Too bad it doesn't taste good.

[absinthist]

The truth is out there: LuXit™ is the crypto Czeckerlandsinth!

[Rimbaud]

I tried Lucid for the first time at a tasting at Astor Wines in NY about a month ago.

I don't think it's as bad as everyone says it is. It's not great, but it's not awful either. One-dimensional, yes.

Still, with all the great stuff in my cabinet, I won't be purchasing any, and definitely not at that price.

[Bumpferret]

Last night I noticed it for the first time in the Pa liquor store by me. Same price as new jersey and I have to agree with Rimbaud that it tastes ok. I think it's worth half the price of its sisters, then again, I've had the same bottle for a year.

[AbsintheAndre]

I've been tempted to buy it lately every time I visit the wine store. I think it's way too overpriced.

[Stroller]

The Bud Light of absinthe.

This post has been edited by Stroller: Oct 7 2008, 06:05 PM

[Absomphe]

Not really.

It's not that the Luxit tastes good, butt it' snot bland enough to make that a valid comparison.

[elfnmagik]

It's only light cuz it has to be overwatered to cut the aaack.

A verte that looks like a blanche at 1:3.