est. 2007

Tabu 73 Classic Strong Absinthe Review:

-73% abv, .5 litre

-Country of Origin: Germany

-The trash is right where this one belongs

On the label once again we find everyone’s favourite little pissed off onion head man, running about, shouting profanities and picking a fight with your drunken roommate (actually, I just made up that last part).  “Classic Strong” it boasts proudly, as if a strong drink, however rubbish, has the right to showboat and prance about.  Oh, it is strong alright, just not at all in a good way…

Uncorking reveals tons of heat and a sickening amount of licorice aroma.  Post-louche it’s, well, more of the same accompanied by a faint fishy smell.  At this point I have to murmur to myself “Ben, you’re drinking this for the greater good.  Give a full report of the horror you witnessed today so no one else will have to endure this”.

Contrary to every other aspect, the louche is actually very good.  The spinach colourant lends a helping hand to an intense hue.  Tabu 73 fully louches, then as more water is added, the colour lightens several shades. It is very distinct, and reminds me of St. George.

So anyway, despite that brief praise of the louche you’ve uh, probably guessed by this point that this absinth is pretty much shit, so I won’t spend too much time elaborating.  Anise- the taste of which seemed closer to licorice root than green anise-is also clearly too heavy as the finish moves steadily from heavy numbing to an intense dryness.  Man, that chalky bitterness just lingers forever.  It’s like I’m just MUNCHING sticks of wormwood-laced chalk.…

Too much anise.  Bitterness.  Alcohol.  Rinse.  Repeat.  Put a fork in it…this one’s done.

If anyone would like a 3/4 full bottle of this rubbish drop me an e-mail and it’s yours for five bucks (plus shipping).  Though I’m sure Mr. Paul Nathan, who’s pretty much the US spokesman for Tabu these days, will take it if no one else does…

Other Notes: For our readers that actually live in Germany (and from our geographical stats, that would be nearly 10% of you!) I may seem like a harsh man with the scathing reviews of German absinth one after another.  So for those who may have lost all faith in your home country, swing over to our review of Eichelberger 70 Verte for a glimmer of hope.

Presentation:  5.75

Louche: 8.5

Taste: 3.0

Value: 2.75

Overall: 3.0

Published 10/25/2008