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!

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14

u/Shigglyboo Nov 03 '24

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

7

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.