Paul Devoille - Distillerie La Libertine - Amer - Absinthe

Paul Devoille - Distillerie La Libertine - Amer - Absinthe

Paul Devoille makes this absinthe at Distillerie La Libertine in France. Amer is the bitter expression: a high-strength spirit, bottled at 68% ABV, that puts wormwood in front rather than letting it sit behind the aniseed.

The nose is herbal, with anise and fennel alongside the wormwood. On the palate the bitterness leads, while the anise sweetness stays in check instead of taking over. Fennel and anise balance a firm bitter edge.

Absinthe is built on wormwood, anise and fennel, and this bottling keeps to that tradition while leaning hard on the wormwood. It suits drinkers who find softer, sweeter absinthes too rounded, and bartenders who want a spirit with real bitterness at its core.

Serve it the classic way: a measure in the glass, then iced water dripped slowly until the drink clouds. Sugar is optional. For a mixed serve, try the house cocktail, La Libertine's Reverie. At this strength, a small measure goes a long way.