Kubler Absinthe Superieure Verte Suisse 144 Proof

Kubler Absinthe Superieure Verte Suisse is a traditional verte-style absinthe distilled at 144 proof in Val-de-Travers, Switzerland, the historic birthplace of the spirit. The recipe dates to 1875, when distiller Jacob Frederic Kubler formulated a blend of grand wormwood, green anise, and fennel that held its natural chlorophyll-green color over time without oxidizing to brown. This stability was rare in the era and earned the absinthe a Gold Medal at the 1883 Swiss National Exhibition in Zurich. The Kubler family has distilled absinthe in the canton of Neuchâtel since the spirit's origins in the late 18th century, using botanicals sourced from the Jura foothills. Kubler's recipe macerates the holy trinity of wormwood, anise, and fennel with smaller amounts of lemon balm, hyssop, and peppermint, then redistills the infusion in copper pot stills. A second maceration with fresh botanicals follows distillation, extracting the chlorophyll that gives the absinthe its namesake green hue. The spirit is diluted to 72 percent alcohol by volume and bottled without added sugar, adhering to the Suisse style's drier profile. The absinthe louches to pale opal green when diluted with cold water in the traditional 3:1 or 4:1 ratio, releasing anise-forward aromatics with herbal depth and a faint mintiness. The palate is bracing and bittersweet, with wormwood's characteristic astringency balanced by the round sweetness of anise and fennel. It finishes clean and medicinal, without the cloying sugar found in many modern absinthes. Serve it in the classic French preparation with a slotted spoon, sugar cube, and ice-cold water, or use it as the base for a Corpse Reviver No. 2 or Sazerac rinse. Find this historic Swiss absinthe at Off Premise in Lincoln Park, available for pickup at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.