Since Kubler has apparently changed something in their 57% Blanche, and since those having tasted it give it a lot of credit, I decided it was time to review the newer 57%.

Thanks to LordStanley for his donation to the cause.

Neat-
It's clear. Just like before. Smelling it gives off the deep anise/licorice scent of a lableue mixed with a funky gym sock taint that I remember from the previous effort. Admittedly the taint is much more subdued than before, but the smell of tails and empyreuma are still very present.

Add a little water
This sucker louches faster than a... well pretty damn fast. Star anise is DEFINATELY present.
Add 1oz water and it turns opalescent. Smelling it with a bit of water brings out some fennel undertones that remind me a lot of a La Bleue. A bit more water reveals some lemon. Looks like Yves uses lemon balm too.

Fully watered.
The smell of empyreuma is still there, but in Kubler's defence it's about as heavy as most LB's I've tasted. Without knowing better, from the scent alone, I'd think it was an LB.

Down to taste.
Star anise is very present, some fennel, then an aftertaste of burnt-honey sweetness. It takes a while for the tongue numbing star anise to wear off and the tastebuds to start working again. When they do you're left with the empyreumatic flavors of burnt honey/peanut and an oily residue on the tongue.

Another sip.
It's got the round fennel profile I like in LB's. Not as involving as Butty's #2, but still deep.
I like star anise, so the anethol sting is relatively pleasant. The only thing I don't like is the oily film that seems to have coated my tongue.

Another sip.
It's refreshing, like a good blanche should be. I seem to be drinking this glass rather quickly.

Conclusion.
Kubler has definately improved their product. It's still tails heavy, and filled with an oily empyreuma, but most suisse La Bleues are just as bad when it comes to this aspect.
The 57% is very drinkable, very close to LB, and about 1/2 to 1/4 the price. My biggest complaint is the oily film that it leaves behind on my tongue. If it weren't for this I'd be a lot more inclined to purchase another bottle. As it stands, I find the Kubler 57% to be one of the best, if not THE best, commercially available blanches. If you're new to absinthe and looking for a blanche be sure to include Kubler 57% on your short list.

um. that's not the Kubler bottle in the pic.

That true.
I didn't get a bottle, just a sample.
The bottles in the pic are just part of my "corner".

Great louche, anyway.

Nice segue to the very soon to be arriving BDF 74.

Given the herbal content of that puppy, if the Devoille distillery managed to tame some of the tails, and empyreumia, it could be promising.

Great review Dinky!

I think I'm gonna drink some right now!!!

BTW what is BDF 74?

Blanche de Fougerolles from LDF.

I saw that bottle of Laphroaic in the back. Very cool! I just tried that for the first time at the local 'swanky' watering hole. I liked it a lot!

Getting mroe and more into single-malts. Suggestions are always welcomed.

Great review! I agree this is probably THE best commercial blanche. Can't wait to try the new Fou this week and compare.

AAAAIGGGHH!!! I COULDN'T DO IT!

$65/bottle (with shipping) for 750 of VdF. 60 EU for a liter of K57 (before shipping). I don't even have to do the currency conversion or add the shipping cost to know that the VdF costs less . . . and I'm a Cheap Bastard . . . so it's a bottle each of Sir Piss and NS70 from SC, and 3 VdF from LdF.

Why does K57 cost so much? It's good, but it ain't ALL THAT.

Has anyone tried the new, "new" K53? Evidently, they've eliminated the liquid fish smell in this newest effort. It's part of my Markus nugget, so if no one's had it, I'll be sure to submit a review.

the kubler 53 is very promising until you get it into your mouth, then it comes up short- handed and one-demensional because of the badiane.
throw a good dose of star anise into the BDF, reduce the alcohol, and it would wipe the floor with kubler 57 or 53 (including most, if not all swiss la bleues) as a real (modern) swiss la bleue.
but what's the point? hmmmm....maybe that IS the point.

I like the BDF but I would't ad star anise. Maybe more florence fennel and a pinch more angelica.

We can see you.

Always.

I am entraigued.

Yes, everybody else is here...

WATCHIN' YOU, KATO!!!!!!

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock...

an smellin' blood

Noob blood smells like rotten meat.

I don't know, when it's fresh I think it smells sweet.

Depends on the noob, I guess.

I am The Eye.

Hippie noobs taste burnt™.

We will soon find out, with the taste of blood still fresh on our lips.

How does it feel to be pursued by yourself?

That better, DeadFed?

The word is "pursued," Spelling Nazi. Unless you meant "perused," in which case I peruse myself nightly and it feels grate.

And isn't there some policy about respecting people's privacy on this board? Get my fucking picture off your avatar.

Well, I'm gonna put your head on my wall,
Just like I told you baby, you can't hide no more.
You can't eat no more, no more hot dogs.
I'm gonna put your head, put it on my wall.

I can tell you; Lousy,
every since my ass grew to twice it's normal size,
I keep thinking someone is following me.

No.

You provided the link bootlegger.

You're the one that posted it.

Not if you're dumass enough to link something through our Forum with your picture on it.

I wished Ida said that,
she never talks.

3 @ once,
nope,
we weren't waiting to pounce,
not us,
nope.

DeadFed!

TONEDead Fed!

Eliminate with extreme prejudice.

...

Bend over, hippie.

My Wrath™ needs a warm holster.

Weapons are prizes in disguises.

Tell him what he's won, Rimmy!

A brandspankingnewsuperdeluxeextrawide ASSHOLE!!!!!!

Let's go deep!

Too kinky for my blood.

My sweet, sweet blood.

...

That means you, PlayDohDong!

Quit stealing my material. I stayed up all night thinking that up.