La Fée Blanche is a clear, La Bleue-style French absinthe supérieure, distilled with grand wormwood and traditional botanicals at the Cherry Rocher distillery and bottled at 106 proof (53% ABV).
La Fée was the first traditional absinthe brand to be distilled in France since the 1915 ban, and the only one endorsed by the Musée de l'Absinthe in Auvers-sur-Oise. Founder George Rowley worked with Marie-Claude Delahaye, the world-renowned historian of absinthe and founder of the French Absinthe Museum, and after extensive research and development the Blanche was launched in 2011, the second absinthe distilled with her.
Clear absinthes like this one were commonly distilled before the ban in both France and Switzerland, where they were called La Bleue. Based on authentic 19th-century recipes, the style skips the final coloring maceration, which leaves it softer, sweeter and more fennel-forward than green absinthes, with no need for sugar in the serving ritual.
At its heart are three artemisias, grand wormwood, petite wormwood and génépi, with green and star anise, fennel, hyssop, coriander, mint and melissa. Crystal clear before dilution, it shows fresh, clean anise with fennel and liquorice; with water it louches to a smooth milky white, and a gentle wormwood and fennel aroma emerges, followed by anise with hints of light citrus.
Serve it the classic way, with three to four parts iced water to one part absinthe, or use a dash to rinse a glass for a Sazerac or a Corpse Reviver No. 2.
Tasting Notes
-
Nose: Fresh anise, fennel, liquorice.
-
Palate: Anise with green herbal wormwood, light citrus.
-
Finish: Soft and clean.
Specifications
-
Brand: La Fée, distilled at Cherry Rocher, France
-
Style: Absinthe supérieure, Blanche / La Bleue
-
Botanicals: Grand and petite wormwood, génépi, green and star anise, fennel, hyssop, coriander, mint, melissa
-
Proof / ABV: 106 proof (53% ABV)
-
Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Dilute one part with three to four parts iced water, or rinse a glass for a Sazerac or a Corpse Reviver No. 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Blanche absinthe?
A clear absinthe that skips the coloring step, historically called La Bleue.
Who helped create it?
Absinthe historian Marie-Claude Delahaye of the French Absinthe Museum.
How do I serve it?
With three to four parts iced water; it louches to milky white.
Explore more in our Liqueur & More collection.
