Les Fils d'Emile Pernot, Absinthe Bourgeois, France (55%, 50cl)

Les Fils d'Emile Pernot Absinthe Bourgeois is a classic, traditional spirit produced by the historic Les Fils d'Emile Pernot distillery in La Cluse-et-Mijoux, located in the notable Haut-Doubs region of France. Operating near Pontarlier, the historic capital of French absinthe, the distillery employs centuries-old production techniques to capture the true, unadulterated heritage of French distillation.

The production relies on the distillation of locally harvested grand wormwood, green anise, and sweet fennel inside traditional copper pot stills that date back to the nineteenth century. Following distillation, the liquid undergoes a natural coloration step using additional herbs, yielding a brilliant leaf-green hue without any synthetic colorings or artificial additives. The spirit is brought down to a refined strength of 55% ABV and packaged in a 50cl bottle featuring the iconic vintage artwork of a cat sneaking a sip from a glass.

The profile is fresh, herbal, and beautifully balanced, offering a softer, more approachable entry into traditional French absinthe. The nose is highly aromatic, opening with clean top notes of crisp green anise, sweet fennel seed, and crushed pine, anchored by an earthy, slightly peppery herbal depth. When diluted with iced water, it forms a thick, milky white louche with a pale green highlight. On the palate, the liquid is silky and smooth, delivering initial flavors of sweet licorice, star anise, and citrus peel, which gradually give way to a delicate, pleasantly bitter wormwood backnote. The finish is remarkably clean and refreshing, leaving a long, cooling trail of aniseed and mountain herbs across the palate.

Best served with cold water, allowing the spirit to open gradually and reveal its full aromatic range.