Emile Pernot 'Vieux Pontarlier' Absinthe

Vieux Pontarlier Absinthe Française Supérieure is a traditional French absinthe from Les Fils d'Emile Pernot, the house founded in 1889 near Pontarlier in the Haut-Doubs, the historic home of absinthe. It is bottled at 65% ABV in a 700ml bottle. The Vieux Pontarlier name first appeared in 1925 on an anisette the distillery created after absinthe was banned in 1915, and the modern absinthe revived it for export markets. It is distilled in small batches in historic stills built specifically for absinthe, using locally grown wormwood, anise and a range of other aromatic herbs. No sweetening is added, so its fresh character comes from the herbs and the distiller's craft alone. Because natural herbs are used, a little sediment in the bottle is possible.

Tasting Notes: Medium peridot green in the glass; with water the louche builds gradually into a lightly milky, opalescent cloud.

Serve: The classic way: iced water dripped slowly into the glass until it clouds.