Once again, we have the pleasure, not to say the privilege, of presenting an atypical product from the COMBIER Distillery, which has perhaps never before made an appearance in Thailand.
What is it all about?
Absinthe. Absinthe is first and foremost a plant which is better known today as a spirit made from various plants macerated in alcohol and then distilled. But its history goes back much further.
Absinthe – or Wormwood -, Artemisia absinthium by its scientific name, dates back to ancient Egypt who used it for medicinal purposes.
Since then, the species has played a key role in the History of Medicine. Traditional Asian and European medicine used it to treat gastrointestinal disorders, anaemia, insomnia and fever.
Today, scientific research is discovering an impressive range of virtues: antibacterial, antifungal, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidepressant and antioxidant, to name but a few.
In addition to its therapeutic uses, it is also used for cosmetic and culinary purposes, and as an ingredient in the production of spirits and vermouth-type wines.
In Europe, it was in 1798 that Daniel Henri Dubied and Henri Louis Pernod founded the first absinthe distillery, in Couvet, Switzerland. Later, in France, in 1805, Henri Louis Pernod opened his own distillery in Pontarlier and created the first French Absinthe brand, Pernod Fils.
2010 – Combier marks the history of absinthe
The Combier Distillery was already producing absinthe in 1899 until it was banned in 1915. Thanks to the perseverance of an inspired Master Distiller, Absinthe, the poet’s friend, is now making a comeback.
In 2010, Franck Choisne, by force of perseverance, succeeded in having the 1988 decree amended. The word ‘Absinthe’ is again allowed on bottles and fennel is again permitted in the composition.
Let’s listen to him narrate his story:
« “L’Entêté” is based on my own recipe that I adapted from a historic recipe and my personal idea about a very tasty and typical Absinthe.
My father and I are cultivating the grand wormwood on our own territory in the Loire valley. The interesting part of the story is however that the original plant origins from another part of my family that lives in Mièges – the French Jura.
The name “L’Entêté” (stubborn) reflects my personal involvement changing a French law from 1988 that restricted the use of Fennel in Absinthe. Changing this particular law allowed it authentically reproducing historic Absinthe in France. In a second step I took part in removing another discriminating law that prohibited the use of the term “Absinthe”. I’m proud having been directly involved in these important changes. »
To celebrate this historic event and his personal victory, Franck Choisne, in 2012, created a green absinthe, naturally colored with chlorophyll which he called “L’Entêté” (the Stubborn in French). Because indeed, it took a lot of stubbornness and persistence to succeed in having the decree in question abolished.
The plants are distilled and fresh leaves are infused to release their aroma and color in the traditional manner. Fresh and herbaceous, L’Entêté is true to the spirit of the great absinthes of the 19th-century.
As with every creation of this Master Distiller, success was not long in coming. In 2015, the superior absinthe L’Entêté won a GOLD Medal at the Spirits Selection by “Concours Mondial de Bruxelles”. A historic and relentless return!
From now on, the absinthes Combier, once again produced in a strictly traditional way, have become the unexpected reference of authenticity for connoisseurs.
How to drink it?
Traditionally, absinthe was drunk with a lump of sugar to counterbalance the bitterness and to savour its many aromas.
But the creative genius of this Master Distiller and the astonishingly complex flavour of this creation offer many other possibilities.
You could try that one:
Vodka Marie Antoinette: 4cl
Absinthe L’Entêté: 2cl
Green lemon juice: 3cl
Sugar cane syrup :
For the preparation, simply…
- Refresh your glass with ice cubes
- Pour all the ingredients into your shaker
- Shake
- Pour everything into your glass
- Enjoy!
In moderation! As with everything.
Identity sheet
| YEAR OF CREATION 2012 | PRODUCT Legal name: Absinthe% Vol.: 62 Sugar (g/L): 0 gr Process: Distillation |
| BOTANICAL ♣ Green anise from Spain ♣ Organic grande wormwood from France ♣ Little wormwood from Italy ♣ Fennel from Provence | ♣ Hyssop ♣ Lemon balm ♣ Peppermint |
TASTING
To the eye: Tender green, almost almond-shaped.
To the nose: Fennel and aniseed. Tender & balanced
To the palate: L’Entêté is astonishingly complex. Balanced between the sweetness of fennel and the flowery power of absinthe. Slight bitterness, finishing on anise.