Advent calendar 2017: The absinthe days 21

Posted by tiskatrowa on December 21, 2017
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A suprise or maybe better wording just what I fancied tonight. A peridot appearance, leaning towards not being natural, with hardly any details from Provence distillery, named Absente 55 standing at 55%. Right before I added the water it had a real strong aroma of anise. Once louche was formed, good oil swirls but became a thin cloudiness, anise remained to be the only aroma. A hit and warmth of the alcohol is there thankfully, otherwise it is basically a very sweet anise water.

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After some digging. It is known as a fake absinthe or not absinthe at all. Doesn’t use one of the main ingredients, Artemisia absinthium, which kinda makes an absinthe an actual absinthe. Interesting.

Advent calendar 2017: The absinthe days 20

Posted by tiskatrowa on December 20, 2017
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Finally another Jade! Jade V.S 1898 from France standing at 65%. This one has more of a bite to it. In aroma and taste. Like a jab of bitter herb before letting the other flavours take the stage. Wormwood is king for this one too, there’s a little anise, a spike of sweetness. I am also noticing a lot more of a numbing even prickly effect compared to others. Only a gentle warmth remains once the glass has reached the table. Will mention the classic peridot colour turns into a classic milky louche, a textbook absinthe. A very well done absinthe. Very balanced.

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Midnight Advent Calendar – Dec 20th

Posted by Colin on December 20, 2017
Posted in: Advent Calendar 2017, Ale, beer, booze. Leave a comment

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A non bland session beer?  That sound’s good to me.  Here we have Endless Summer by the Black Iris Brewery.   A session IPA at 4.5%.

The first taste really reminded me of a lighter version of Punk IPA, but that has quickly changed.  There is light floral hints to the smell.  The taste is difficult for me to pick out, but its both sharp and sour without being a distraction.  As I get further into this, there is a hint of fruity/citrus.  This is one I would be interested in trying in a session to see if the flavour alters any more.

I was hopeful for this one as the clerk in the shop explained when they got the delivery he instantly bought six cans.

Midnight Advent Calendar – Dec 19th

Posted by Colin on December 19, 2017
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TROPICAL STOUT!  Add in some nice artwork on the can and you got me.  Tonight’s beer is Cloudwater’s Tropical Stout at an impressive 8%.

After all the beers I had earlier that had a citrus smell to them, I was expecting the same from this one.  Nope, it smells malty.  It tastes like a stout and still no hint of the tropical namesake.  Though for a stout, it is quite a clean drink with a pleasant aftertaste (assuming you like stouts).

Advent calendar 2017: The absinthe days 19

Posted by tiskatrowa on December 19, 2017
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Here we have La Pontissalienne, France, from distillery Guy standing at 56%. This one is super interesting. It is very gentle and much easier to drink than some I have had. But has a real herby alcohol kick at the end. And quite refreshing. Louched at its own pace, could see the oils mix and cloud as the water dripped in. Aroma is predominatly liquorice, with only hints of wormwood, and a sweet anise, this is impressively layered. Taste is sweet, big anise and mellow liquorice. Though the aftertaste strong, wormwood, liquorice remains, a real warmth, a tingle, then leaves your palate quite clean and cool. Leaving you wanting more. Nice one mate.

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Advent calendar 2017: The absinthe days 18

Posted by tiskatrowa on December 18, 2017
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Didnt I have a Fontaine not long back? This one is French, named Blanche standing at 55%. So far the clear ones have performed well. And this is no exception. The louche occurs with very little water. For its thick texture to is not clingy at all. I’m having trouble with the aroma, my nose is broken tonight or it is very mellow. This is actually a well balance absinthe. You can taste the wormwood, anise, something lightly flowery in equal measure. Leaving the same aftertaste for a short time. Nearly didn’t mention that it is quite smooth as well

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