La Fee NV Absinthe French Absinthe 70 cl 40%

The green fairy doesn't need to knock you off your feet. NV is the version where anise and fennel get to speak first, because the alcohol isn't shouting over them. Same ritual with sugar and ice water, same green shimmer in the glass, just in a lower gear.

Expert's Description

La Fee NV Absinthe French Absint 70 cl 40% is a French Absinthe in the verte style, distilled on wormwood, anise and fennel, and bottled at 40%.

NV is the house's everyday bottle. Where La Fée's Parisienne expression sits at 68% and is built as a reconstruction of how absinthe tasted in the 1800s, NV is turned down to 40% and made to be used. The recipe draws on the same herbal world with wormwood at its centre, but the strength is cut back so the bottle can go into a drink without taking it over.

The number on the label changes more than you'd think. Alcohol is what keeps the essential oils from the herbs in solution, and at 40% there's simply room for fewer of them. The louche turns lighter and more translucent than the dense cloud a full-strength absinthe makes, and it takes less water before the balance sits right.

That's also why NV more often ends up in a cocktail glass than an absinthe glass. Absinthe is used classically as a rinse in the glass for a Sazerac, where a few drops set an anise line under the rye whiskey, and as the topper in a Death in the Afternoon alongside champagne. At 40%, you can be a little more generous with it without tipping the drink over.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Anise leads, sweet and distinct, with fennel right behind it. The wormwood is there, but it sits underneath rather than pushing forward. No alcohol burn, so you can hold the glass close without narrowing your eyes.

Palate

A soft entry with a liquorice-like sweetness. Fennel and a green herbal streak arrive mid-palate, and only at the end does the wormwood's bitterness cut through as a dry line against the sweetness. With ice water it turns almost easy-drinking, and the sugar is far from necessary.

Finish

Short to medium. The anise fades gently, leaving a faint bitterness on the palate. The mouth feels cool, but the lingering numbness of a full-strength absinthe never arrives.

Specifications

Name: La Fee NV Absinthe French Absint 70 cl 40%
Producer: La Fée Absinthe
Region/Country: France
Type: French Absinthe
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Botanicals: Wormwood, anise and fennel
EAN no.: 5033566034597
Serving suggestion: Ice water poured over a sugar cube on an absinthe spoon, or as an ingredient in cocktails

Flavour Profile

Anise · Liquorice · Herbal · Soft · Fresh

Did You Know?

Absinthe was banned in France in 1915 and vanished from French distilleries for almost a hundred years. La Fée was the first traditional absinthe to be distilled on French soil again after the ban.

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Frequently Asked Questions about La Fee NV Absinthe French Absint 70 cl 40%

What sets NV apart from La Fée's Parisienne expression?

The strength and the purpose. Parisienne is built as a historical reconstruction and bottled at 68%, while NV is brought down to 40% and made for everyday use and cocktails. The herbal world of wormwood, anise and fennel is the same, but NV is softer and easier to approach for anyone who's never tasted absinthe.

Does it turn milky white when you add water?

Yes, but the louche is lighter than with a full-strength absinthe. The effect happens because the anise oil separates out of solution as the alcohol level drops, and at 40% there are fewer oils to separate. The result is a hazy, greenish liquid rather than a dense white cloud.

Which cocktails can it be used in?

The classics built on absinthe as a seasoning rather than a base. A Sazerac is rinsed in the glass with a few drops, so the anise sits under the rye whiskey, and a Death in the Afternoon is absinthe topped with champagne. The lower strength makes it easier to get the amount right without the anise taking over the drink.

Is sugar necessary here?

Less often than with a strong absinthe. The bitterness from the wormwood is toned down in this expression, so many people skip the sugar and just pour in ice water. If you want the full ritual, the sugar cube still sits on the spoon over the glass.

Is 40% a sensible place to start with absinthe?

Yes, it's probably the easiest way into the category. Anise and fennel come through clearly without the alcohol burning, giving you a chance to learn the flavour profile before moving on to a full-strength bottle. Still dilute it with ice water, since absinthe isn't meant to be drunk neat. If you already know the anise character from pastis or a sweetened Liqueur, the jump to this is a short one.

What does verte mean?

Verte is French for green and covers the absinthes with a green colour, as opposed to a blanche, which is clear. The colour has historically been tied to herbs added to the spirit after distillation. Verte is the style most people associate with absinthe and with the nickname the green fairy.