UP White Absinthe Essence 20 ml

UP White Absinthe Essence 20 ml

Absinthe does not have to be green. The clear style – often called blanche – has a pedigree just as old as the green, and many connoisseurs hold it to be the purest form of absinthe: no colouring herbs to come between you and the core flavour, just wormwood, anise and fennel in their clearest guise.

UP White Absinthe belongs to the Ultra Premium series, our highest quality level. It is less bitter and more floral than a green absinthe, and when the water drips in it offers what may well be the loveliest transformation of them all – from bright as spring water to dense and white as fresh snow.

Colour & Appearance

Undiluted, the absinthe is completely colourless and clear as glass. With ice-cold water, thin white ribbons form first, then a cloud that grows until the whole glass is an opaque snow white with a faintly bluish, mother-of-pearl sheen at the rim.

Nose

The nose is clean and airy. Fennel seed and green anise arrive first, sweet and almost floral, followed by star anise in a more subdued role. The wormwood is fresh and meadow-like rather than bitter, and lemon balm, hyssop and coriander seed lend a bright, citrussy elegance.

Palate

The palate is smooth and precise. The fennel gives a sweet, rounded opening that is joined by the cool freshness of the anise. The wormwood is there throughout as a fine, dry line running through the flavour, but the bitterness is clearly milder than in a green absinthe. Instead, the brighter sides of the herbs come forward: lemon balm, a hint of mint and the peppery, fruity note of coriander. With water the mouthfeel becomes almost creamy, even though the drink is entirely dry. Many people drink this style without sugar, since the anise and fennel supply all the sweetness that is needed.

Finish

The finish is long, cool and very clean. Fennel and anise fade out softly, leaving a light, herbal dryness like freshly picked wormwood.

How to Use

The essence is mixed with vodka or neutral spirit – preferably a slightly stronger spirit, since absinthe is by tradition diluted with water in the glass. 20 ml makes 750 ml of finished absinthe. Instructions are on the label.

Serving Suggestions

• Classic: ice-cold water dripped in slowly, with a sugar cube on the absinthe spoon if you prefer it rounder.
• With no sugar at all as a dry, anise-fresh aperitif.
• With sparkling wine in a tall glass – white opal with bubbles.
• In a frappé with crushed ice, sugar syrup and fresh mint.
• As a glass rinse in a dry Martini for a delicate herbal note.

About the Essence

UP stands for Ultra Premium. White Absinthe is a real absinthe with 35 mg thujone per finished bottle and all the herbs an absinthe should contain, and it louches, turning milky, as it ought to.

The essence is also available in 280 ml – with or without 14 absinthe labels and a measure – as well as in 1000 ml and 25 litres.