La Fée X.S Francaise Absinthe

La Fée X.S Francaise is an extra superieure absinthe distilled in the historical town of Pontarlier, the French homeland of absinthe. Production in the region began in the early 19 th Century and it is here that the X.S Francaise distillers’ great grandfather produced absinthe prior to its ban in 1915. For X.S Francaise those same stills, purchased second hand in 1870 are used along with traditional distillation methods, a fine selection of herbs and a wine alcohol base resulting in a truly authentic absinthe.

The best quality locally grown herbs are used, with the fresh wormwood of Pontarlier hung and dried upside down in the dark eaves of the distillery to preserve its goodness; each plant is stripped by hand leaving the stalk behind. Fine ingredients, including grand anise, wormwood and wine alcohol are soaked producing an intense exotic aroma and are distilled twice over the course of a few days while other fine secret herbs are distilled in separate pot stills. The two resulting liquids are finally distilled together and then stored in oak barrels to mature. A secret recipe of herbs, as used by the distillers’ great grandfather, is then added to create its colour.

Tasting Notes:

Before adding water this extra supérieure French absinthe has a pale bright appearance and forward intense aroma of wood and new pine with a citrus background. It is best enjoyed by adding 4 to 6 parts iced water dripped over sugar creating a pale milky green louche, after which its flavours evolve into a textured superb structure that is powerful and complex.