Happy, Happy News. North Shore Distillery, based in Chicago, is making Absinthe now! Their new product “Sirene” is set to be released in the Chicago Land area within the week. This makes it the fifth absinthe available in the US after Lucid, Kubler, St. George and La Tourment Vert. You can count on this Chi-boy to be one of their first customers. I will let you know how it turns out. Joy!
Here is a link to their site.
It has finally happened! Kubler Absinthe has landed in Chicago! I haven’t found it at a Binny’s yet, but Sam’s Wine carries it. Sam’s is selling it for just over $50 for a one liter bottle. This is more economical than $65 for a 750ml bottle of Lucid, though Kubler is of a lower proof and some people would call this a trade off. I will do my usual weirdo literary review after the break, but those that just want the facts can get it right here.
Asides from the larger bottle and lower price, the most notable difference between Lucid and Kubler is the color. It is a Swiss “La Bleue” or “Blanche”, this means that it is clear instead of green like Lucid. There are subtle differences between these two styles I cannot expound upon as this is the second true Absinthe I have sampled. The folks over at the Wormwood Society are the go to guys for fine details.
The smell upon opening the bottle is not nearly as strong as one would expect from a 106 proof beverage. I caught anise, fennel and a very small alcohol scent. Quite pleasant.
I poured a pony of it into my glass and dripped spring water slowly into it. I drank my first glass ‘Sans Sucre’ (without sugar) as that is the way I tend to enjoy Lucid and araks araks and coffee and pretty much anything else that is often sugared. The louche (fogginess) came on rather quickly compared to Lucid. I was disappointed at the lack of eye candy during the louche, but this comes second to taste. I watered this glass with a 1:4 ratio of absinthe to water, though the bottle says 1:5. A 1:5 water ratio seems a bit dilute for a 53% alcohol absinthe. As always find your own ‘Golden Ratio’.
The bouquet expands nicely after the drip, though not quite as pungent as Lucid. The taste on first sip is glorious. My mouth is filled with anise (heehee) fennel and the earthy punch of wormwood. The finish is smooth and I can now taste a hint of mint on my tongue. There is no ‘Spiciness’ like I tasted in the Lucid.
This is a fine absinthe in my opinion. It is not as rich or layered as Lucid, but this is not always a bad thing. I could see a beginning absintheur having a much easier time enjoying Kubler then Lucid. For my money I will be buying Kubler simply because it is a good bit cheaper per bottle by volume then Lucid, but I enjoy them both equally, just in different ways.
