Pontarlier Absinthe Cousin Jeune, France (65%, 50cl)

Pontarlier Absinthe Cousin Jeune is a traditional absinthe produced in Pontarlier, the historic centre of French absinthe production. Made according to classic distillation methods, it reflects the regional style that defined pre ban absinthe.

The recipe is built around the classic trinity of botanicals: grande wormwood, green anise and fennel, supported by secondary herbs that add depth without overwhelming the structure. Distilled rather than mixed, the profile remains clean and precise.

This is a clear absinthe, often referred to as a blanche style, meaning it is not coloured after distillation. By skipping the secondary herbal maceration used to create green absinthe, the spirit retains a more direct and focused expression of the base distillate.

At 65 percent, it opens with pronounced anise, fresh herbal notes and a clear wormwood backbone. When diluted with water, it develops a dense louche and releases softer layers of liquorice, alpine herbs and light citrus. On a flavour scale it sits balanced leaning anise driven, with bitterness present but controlled.

Compared to green absinthe, this style is more linear and precise, with less emphasis on layered herbal depth and more focus on clarity and structure.

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