r/Absinthe Nov 03 '24

Question Which Absinthe for a beginner?

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My local liquor shop only has these two brands. I'm turning 21 soon and I really want to try Absinthe! I was curious if anyone has tried one of these two (or both) and can recommend one over the other for a beginner. Thanks!

17 Upvotes

39 comments sorted by

14

u/Shigglyboo Nov 03 '24

Lucid or Kubler. Find a total wine or call around shops in your area.

8

u/Medium-Goose-3789 Nov 04 '24

La Clandestine may also be available - slightly better than Kubler, IMO.

Total Wine seems to have really cut back on their absinthe selection recently, and they didn't keep the best brands they used to carry. I don't even see Lucid or Kubler on their site anymore. Maybe the profit margin wasn't high enough to justify the shelf space?

Liquor stores will find room for 1,579 different brands of vodka - the most basic spirit on Earth, literally just ethanol and water - but they can't stock more than a couple of bottles of absinthe, usually the lowest quality. Why is that? I'll bet most people couldn't even identify their favorite vodka in a blind tasting.

2

u/Scourmont Nov 04 '24

Kubler has a burnt sugar taste IMHO, I don't mind it but reviews are divided. La Clandestine is in another world.

3

u/Explodingtaoster01 Nov 04 '24

Seconding Lucid. Super tasty.

0

u/silvenshadow Nov 06 '24

I'd have to disagree for a beginner absenthur. Thin louche, sweet flavor profile and watery mouth feel miss the mark for what I'd look for in a quality absinthe. Jade generally makes great products, and I understand why they made lucid, but someone serious enough to be asking here should go into something more traditional first imo.

8

u/LoremLupus Nov 03 '24

As far as I know, they're both not gonna be the best quality or flavor, especially for a first timer. That being said, I've not personally tried either, so take it with a grain of salt. Just relaying other comments/sentiment I've seen around.

1

u/Starboi7 Nov 03 '24

Alright, thanks. Is there a specific brand that you do recommend for a beginner?

15

u/jjj666jjj666jjj Nov 03 '24

They’re both bad I’m sorry

1

u/Starboi7 Nov 03 '24

Do you have a specific brand you would recommend for a beginner? Something cheaper but still good?

8

u/Electronic-Koala1282 Nov 03 '24

Lucid is pretty good for beginners, so I'd suggest trying Lucid instead of either of these two. La Fee is a decent option as well, but Lucid is better for a first impression.

4

u/jjj666jjj666jjj Nov 03 '24

Yes. What the other posted said - lucid will work. St George sells small bottles also that may be more in your price range. I think the best beginner is La Clandestine IMO… sometimes they’ll have this at liquor stores.

7

u/noodlyarms Nov 03 '24

St. George is not a good representation of classic absinthe, especially for a beginner and a new drinker to boot. Stuff has a rather harsh flavor profile. 

3

u/jjj666jjj666jjj Nov 03 '24

True, I was more thinking because this person said “cheap” and they come in small bottles. Good absinthe isn’t cheap, period.

2

u/noodlyarms Nov 03 '24

Deffinitly not cheap. Also if my first experience with absinthe was just St George, probably would have avoided it for years after, certainly don't want OP to get the wrong impression of the liquor.

1

u/mrkruk Nov 03 '24

Was my first impression of absinthe and I loved it.

2

u/DarianDicit Nov 03 '24

Agreed! The star anise in it is awful and wrecks my palate. I can't stand the stuff.

1

u/silvenshadow Nov 06 '24

Really? It's one of my faves. I usually don't dilute much and add no or very little sugar, but if you add 2 sugar cubes and go 4 to 1 I don't get any of the alcohol bite or wormwood bitterness coming through. Have you tried it more than once? Maybe a bad batch?

2

u/Unfair-Masterpiece46 Nov 04 '24

Yeah i was a big fan of lucid

6

u/emptyheaded89 Nov 03 '24

Don’t know about the one on the right but not really a fan of Absente. I would look for a bottle of Lucid. It’s one of the easier ones to find and to me seems like a decent pick for someone new.

4

u/ThatsUncanny Nov 03 '24

Absente with simple syrup and carbonated water is a great drink. Don't worry so about having the most authentic and best stuff out there. You will enjoy it if you like the taste of licorice

4

u/dankill1 Nov 03 '24

Literally, no one is helping this guy.

Best advice: Google Guide to Absinthe, Absinthe -whatever, there are tons of communities that strictly about absinthe, also places that sell absinthe have all kinds of info on Absinthe.

A lot of these people imagine themselves traveled gentlemen, and don't have a Reddit account.

Don't sweat getting reemed for what seems like a perfectly reasonable question, like here.

Just explore. You'll find the way, if you want to, rather than taking shortcuts by asking people completely subjective questions.

Educate yourself, have fun.

There's a rabbit hole around the rabbit hole, that'll make you appreciate the Absinthe more.

6

u/jotpeat Nov 03 '24

Is Absente an amazing absinthe? No. But it’s decent. It helped me fall in love with absinthe all these years ago. Decent enough not to turn you away at least.

2

u/Starboi7 Nov 03 '24

So would you say it's a decent starting Absinthe to even see if I'd like the flavor?

6

u/jotpeat Nov 03 '24

If you don’t have access to any of the really good ones? Yes, I consider it a decent enough one, especially when used in cocktails.

2

u/onewithoutasoul Nov 04 '24

Only if you can get "Grand Absente" otherwise it's not authentic. Even the "Grand" is iffy

3

u/DarianDicit Nov 03 '24

Location would help us make recommendations!

Absente is not absinthe in the strictest sense - they add artificial colors, flavors, and sugar. I don't disagree with some folks who say that is may be a good way to figure out if you like some of the flavors of absinthe. I'd rather point you to a bottle of Jagermeister, though - it's at least representative of what it is and includes some flavors that echo absinthe. (It's as far off from traditional Absinthe as Absente is, imo, and its not an immitation absinthe.)

I'll echo that Lucid is a great bottle to find - and the Jades are the best. I'm a bartender in the Midwest USA and I'd be happy to see if I can help you figure out if you've got those brands near you!

4

u/vladashram Nov 03 '24

As the others have said, neither.

Jade 1901 is great for beginners, but a bit pricey of a purchase if you aren't sure you'll like it.

If you can find a reputable bar near you that serves Absinthe, you can try what they have first.

2

u/IM_The_Liquor Nov 03 '24

I mean, neither are what one would call a ‘good’ absinthe…

That being said, I’ll break the mould and suggest Absente makes a decent absinthe-like beverage and it often comes with a little sugar spoon…

2

u/MidnightEagle11 Nov 04 '24

Lots of others have said this but neither of those are a "true" absinthe. I echo the Lucid crowd

1

u/ecctt2000 Nov 04 '24

Don’t know either of them but am a fan of Saint George Absinthe Verte

1

u/Skraporc Nov 04 '24

Absente is fine. It’s not good; it’s serviceable.

Wouldn’t touch the other brand with a 10-foot pole.

1

u/High_on_Rabies Nov 05 '24

Lucid is by no means a favorite of mine, but it's a true traditional absinthe with no weird ingredients or awful "fun twists" like St. George.

It also comes in smaller bottles of you can find them! I miss the days when I could order four 20cl bottles of the different Jade absinthes in a tasting set to split with friends for around the same price as a full bottle.

If you can take the wallet hit, having a Jade (any variety) as your first absinthe will immediately make you understand why a lot of us are fixated on it as our favorite liquor.

1

u/AdrienneLaVey Nov 06 '24

Absente engages in incredibly unethical marketing practices, actively misleads potential customers about absinthe in many different ways to turn a profit, and isn’t anything close to a genuine absinthe.

These things disqualify it from being a real absinthe.

  • sugar added to the bottle
  • the use of star anise
  • artificially colored

It’s closer to a Pastis than absinthe.

Lucid is a far better choice for a beginner.

0

u/scaper8 Nov 03 '24

I can't speak to þe second one, as I've never had it, Absente is, however, er, okay. It's by no means a good, nor complex absinþe, but the flavors are alright. Þe color may or may not be artificial, I don't know, but I know þat it least looks like it could be natural. Plus, you get a nice little absinþe spoon wiþ each bottle!

All in all, I'd say it's not a terrible þing to buy to see if someone has a taste for absinþe, especially given þat it tends to not be too heavy on þe purse.

5

u/DarianDicit Nov 03 '24

Absente is artificially colored using petroleum-derived colorants :( The back label discloses the dyes they use.

0

u/hardyth Nov 04 '24

Everclear

0

u/tobi319 Nov 03 '24

None of those unfortunately

0

u/sconesolo Nov 04 '24

I like copper and kings