Now that Ned's attempt at a L’Artisanale repro is out, which do you think is going to be closest to Oxy's 1914 Pernod?

Depends on if the 1914 cache tastes burnt™.

You guys!
Give it a chance before criticizing.

I've tasted the L'Artisanale again last friday and was very suprised by its profile, not something that I remembered from Pontarlier (aging?), definitely a top quality absinthe, I loved the wormwood/fennel freshness.
But, it has not the same profile as the PF 1914, it was not its objective anyway.

I have not sampled the PF 1901 yet but Luc has and was surprised by the similarities with the PF 1914.

They both taste like blacq liquorish?

I really don't understand the excitement behind the PF 1901, nobody was so excited about it in Georgia.

"I really don't understand the excitement behind the L'Artisanale, nobody was so excited about it in Pontarlier"
Pussy, unfortunately, that was true ;)
And I'm still not excited, even if I now admit that it's a top absinthe.

There are hormonal treatments for your lack of excitement.

I didn't know they even had absinthe in Tbilisi.

We only drink Red Absinthe.

Doesn't look like you drink much of it.


Specially that DRY stuff.

I'm sure that picture would make Headly quite wet.

Drinking the red stuff.

Is that anything like "taking the red pill"?

Candy is Dandy.

Having some Jade PF 1901. It's pretty much just like the other Jades. Still really funky. I don't really notice much difference between it and the rest of the Jade line.

Good to know I didn't waste
any gamblin' money on it.

That's not what I heard, I haven't tried it, but someone told me it was really great, very close to the original, it has the same trace that laces all the Jades, but a great absinthe.

It is a fine absinthe. It has captured the basic flavor profile of vintage Pernod fils though it is much sweeter and not as complex. Still, capturing that flavor is quite an accomplishment! I think it has do do with a xitload of coriander and angelica seed.

PF 1901, without a shadow of a doubt. But it still has that Jade funk (a bit - I don't find it as objectionable as many others in these parts, though), and Artisanale doesn't.

Both have funky fruity wormwood that is not to be found in the original. The 1914 wormwood is darn good wormwood, very refined, but its aroma is very far from the aroma of e.g. Lambrook Silver.

Both have anise that doesn't even come close to that of the original.

Strangely, the one absinthe that has a fragrant finish that reminds me of the 1914 is Markus Lion's Duplais Balance, though it misses a lot of its potency (the anise and the wormwood character is missing; the Duplais Balance is much more feminine and much closer to a modern absinthe from Switzerland).

As for which of the Artisanale or the PF 1901 is better, that's another matter.

Shouldn't that be "doesn't even come close"?

Hee!

Yes indeed. Apparently some things require a brain in working order rather than a spelling checker.

Thanks.

My pleasure.

You do realize that those herbs were never added to Pernod Fils, right?

Gee, you have the actual recipe used by Pernod?

Those are very popular ingredients.
Maybe in the old days they were rigid.

I was rigid myself in the old days.

From what I understand, Absomphe hasn't been rigid in decades.

He should be well past rigor mortis by now.

Does rigormortis count?

Btw Prole, no I don't have the recipe, but I'm sure Gassy does, and he's fairly certain that neither angelica nor coriander were actually added to Perenod Fils.

Damnit, Grey, you're too quick on the uptake for this corpse.

That's youth for ya.

Got my 1914 sample from Oxy in the mail today. I haven't tasted it yet, but I've smelled the hell out of it. At first a caught a few hints of Jade flavor in it, but it was quickly overcome with a flowery perfume. It's absolutely nothing at all like Jade. The closest modern scent I can match it with is a La Bleue, but only in an incomplete way. Perhaps those 100 or so years of continuous production did something for them.

Now taste it side by side with the PF1901 and just admit the truth, even if it's painful.
I know there is a consortium here about the Jade range but for once, please...
Unless your palate is totally ruined by years of bad HGs (and there is plenty believe me), you have to admit that the tones and flavors are very similar, we all did here.
If only we could have a PF1901 that aged for a century...

There's a reason a lot of people here aren't that fond of Jade. I've known some HGers who were looking forward to the first Jade releases so they could stop making HG altogether. I'm not claiming that Ted doesn't capture the pre-ban flavor, I'm just disappointed that he captures that weird funk as well.

For the sake of science, though, I will try the two side by side, since I know that's a very enlightening technique. It's how I learned about the Jade Funk™ in the first place.

???

Ok, I will admit that some of the Jade flavors make more sense in context (next to preban). But I stand by my Fee Verte rating (81 was it?). The flavors in Jade are much harsher than the real thing, and not blended as well. Every time I start enjoying the Jade glass, it smacks me in the face with funk.

I shared some Jade with one of my friends, who's something of an amateur to absinthe, but has a good taste for it. She said it wasn't very impressive, and I agree. The difference is that she's only ever had one or two HGs, and she doesn't know who Ted Breux is or that some people don't like Jade.

As for myself, I'm not the biggest fan of American HGs. I'm not that fond of the bright, Juicy-Fruit Lambrook Silver flavors as I am of the European COs' wormwood. However, most of the HGs I've had are much cleaner with better and more intense flavors in every other aspect. I was hoping the new Jade would be like an American HG with European wormwood, but it's still just as dirty as most of the other offerings.

As a side note, I think this is the most I've ever talked about absinthe at The Lounge.

Celebrate by having a drink.

I agree with Mthuilli that some of the tones and flavors are very similar between the two, but the marc base that Ted uses is a bit overpowering, and does mute some of the subtleties of the 1901. I happen to like that particular base (theflavor of which Kirk likened to limes), and I think almost all of the old burnt™ has been bred out of this stuff.

I do have to wonder, however, whether 100 years of aging would result in the base becoming more, (or less) overpowering.

And thanks for that excellent suggestion, TGO, I think I will.

Ok now I hear you Andrew, that was a very good explanation
I'm just tired of hearing things like "No!!! Jade tastes nothing like pre-ban because it's xit and burnt™", that's something a little too trivial for me.
Something I, and others, have really noticed is that American tastes really differ from European tastes in terms of alcohol (among other things). I have no problem with it, that's part of our reciprocal historic patrimony, end of story.

And like Absomphe and TGO, I'm thirsty now and I need another glass of the burnt™ stuff!

PS: TGO, sorry, I'm still learning how to correctly formulate my fucking sentences in english, I meant "against", not "about". What? it's not clearer??

True dat! I think we've enough polluted the lounge, let's go back on topic!

Glad we understand each other. Now to get back on topic...

Hahah, Absomphe's old.

That is much more betterer.

His English blows away my French(not a hard thing to do).

Yesterday I tried the Jade 1901 along with a sample from a bottle of Pernod Fils that dates circa 1910. I can agree with it being very similar in profile and I have no problems with Jade's advertising claims:

"PF 1901 is a classic absinthe, balanced and crisp, with an appetizing herbal aroma and a smooth, lingering aftertaste. It should be noted that a large ‘cache’ of pre-ban Pernod fils absinthe has recently been discovered and amongst the well-preserved bottles, there were a few in a remarkable state of preservation, retaining their original color and freshness. Those who have been fortunate enough to have been able to taste these and have also tasted the pre-release Jade PF 1901, are unanimous in their remarks as to the striking similarities between the vintage bottles and the Jade clone."

But Ted's over blown bullshit here is what causes a lot of the controversy:

"Jade Verte Suisse 65º is an absolutely accurate recreation of the original C. F. Berger 65º absinthe verte, and is identical to the fine original down to incredibly minute details."

Same with this:

"Absinthe Edouard is a fabulously faithful reproduction of the famous Edouard Pernod absinthe that was highly popular during the Belle Époque. Absinthe Edouard is absolutely correct to the original, from its delicate tint, to its refined texture and delightfully aromatic finish."

A lot of this started with the distiller’s proofs, when Ted claimed they were within a point or two of the final versions. They weren’t and Ted would not own up to it or answer honestly when questioned about the differences.

Yes, I followed that story from behind the curtain and I know what you mean mein Cros'

Ask Alan about marketing strategy, he knows a lot...

PS: TGO, glad you enjoyed my french humour, that was my bestest

Jade Eddy is nothing even close to the EP65 sample I tasted before Christmas.

I opened that 30ml sample and my whole house filled with the perfumed scent of this sweet he-licks-her! The louche, the taste. No comparison.

The Jade has light years to go to get there.

I'm still a bit pissed (American not English) over the distillers proof BS.

Gnarley!

For my english/american vocabulary learning, could someone please explain what 'gnarley' is ? I could only find 'gnarly' in my dictionnary, which translates to 'mortel'.