Reply #10: Okay, we just held a "taste-off".

[Tesha]

In our lineup, we had, from left to right:

o Chartreuse (110 proof)
o Galliano (60 proof)
o Metaxa's Ouzo (80 proof)
o Pernod Pastis (80 proof)
o Absinthe Suisse La Bleue Clandestine (106 proof)
o Suisse Verte Clandestine (144 proof)
o Absente* (110 proof)

We tried each product straight and also mixed with about
1 part of the product to 2 parts water.

Mr. Tesha and I disagreed on some specifics but we agreed on
the general outlines.

Chartreuse is a non-anise drink. But in many ways, the
complexity of its flavors compared well with the absinthes,
especially the Verte. Mr Tesha felt that its flavors were very
much like the Verte except for the absence of the anise.
A back taste within it reminded me of añejo tequilas; Mr.
Tesha thinks its an "aged in oak barrels" flavor but I'm
not so sure. I also had some with soda (seltzer) and liked
that *QUITE* a lot; that may have been *MY* favorite drink
in this competition.

Galliano is a sweet liqueur. It goes down nicely straight
but, no surprise, doesn't profit from being mixed with water.
Its flavor is pretty basic: anise and sugar.

Ouzo isn't sweet but also drinks nicely straight. It reminded
Mr. Tesha of Good-n-Plenty. It was ruined by mixing it with
water, being left dull and relatively tasteless.

Pernod is your typical pastis. A nice, clean anise flavor and
not too many other flavorings. It mixes well with water.
(Pernod Ricard also sells a product called "51" which I
recall as having more-complex flavors.)

The Bleue Clandestine has some complex flavors. It isn't
"chic" to drink it straight, but I could imagine doing it.

The Verte Clandestine has quite a complex set of flavors.
Its proof is probably too high to enjoy it straight. It has
that same rich "back taste" that the Chartreuse has.

The Absente has the strongest flavors: it sort of stands up
and smacks you. It hits me like un-aged tequila: a bit too
brash for drinking for itself.

These are just our opinions, of course -- everyone has got
their own tastes.

Tesha

P.S.: We poured very small portions, and I'm writing this review
before we've finished all the samples. Otherwise, there'd probably
be a lot more typoooos. ;)

P.P.S.: Earlier today, I made some very nice deviled eggs with
Wasabi and Ginger. Strangely enough, they seem to have lost
all of their taste now. I wonder what happened to them? ;) ;)


* This was a pre-wormwood bottle. The product currently on the
market now claims to contain wormwood.