Editorial column
The fine spirits corner
Treat absinthe with the same discipline as any serious spirit: identify the production claim, taste in a repeatable way, and let balance carry more weight than spectacle.
Set the context
Record bottle size, strength, origin, purchase context, and intended style. Price means little until bottle volume and serving dilution are made comparable.
Taste in stages
Observe the neat aroma briefly, the first clouding, the fully diluted glass, and the finish. A single dramatic note should not outweigh coherence across the sequence.
Write the verdict in plain language
Name the strongest feature, the main limitation, and the serving context that suits the bottle. Avoid claims about authenticity that the label and evidence cannot carry.
Return to the essentials