2009 Absinthe Survey Results
Posted on April 28th, 2009 by absinthejack
In Feb. and March of this year the good folks at the Absinthe Review Netwok conducted an online survey of US absinthe drinkers. There were several catagories including: How do you drink absinthe, where do you drink it, favorite US available brands, and favorite worldwide brands. 204 US absintheurs responded and I was generously given permission to summarize the results. I think you’ll find them interesting.
The average absinthe drinker has tried 5.3 US brands with 11% having tried 11 or more brands and as many as 19 brands
The average drinker buys 14 bottles/year, with 46% buying 1 or more bottles/month
93% drink absinthe at home or with friends, but only 29% drinking absinthe at bars or restaurants.
How Do You Drink Absinthe?
71% with water (and optional sugar cube)
32% with water AND ice (that’s where I fit in)
17% in a cocktail
9% as a shot
5% with a flaming sugar cube (this shouldn’t be done)
Top Domestic Brands
1 – Kubler
2 – La Clandestine
3 – Duplais and Lucid tied
Only 1 out of 55 chose La Fee Parisienne or Pernod as their favorites
The bottom 2 are (not surprisingly) Grand Absente and Le Tourment Vert
Top Brands Worldwide
1 – Jade’s PF 1901 (no surprise there)
2 – Kubler
3 – La Clandestine
4 – Jade’s Edouard
5 – Lucid
I hope you have found this as interesting as I did. The full results and analysis of the results can be seen at www.Absinthe-Review.net . It’s a great site – check it out
Tags: Absinthe Brands, Absinthe Reviews
May 1st, 2009 at 2:37 am
Hey there absinthejack! I was surprised at the top brands worldwide! There’s so many brands that are excellent that are available through Alandia and other euro websites that I found the worldwide survey very surprisingly similar to the U.S. brands ( other than the Jades, which doesn’t surprise me as the 1901 is excellent). Alandia & also this site offer their own brands as well as others that I find are better than the Kubler ( which is my standby due to availability & price) and the lucid, which I also like. It just surprised me. I think there are a lot more sophisticated drinkers out there worldwide and in the U.S. too! Maybe I’m wrong but if you read the reviews of other quality absinthes available through Alandia it sure seems that folks are drinking more higher end quality absinthes out there than the survey suggests. What do you think??
May 1st, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Hey Lucy! I should mention that this survey was ONLY open to US-residents, so these are the top brands in the world from the perspective of only us in the USA. You’re absolutely right though, if I were to conduct a worldwide survey (very likely next year) the results would be MUCH different, largely due to the fact that a “casual” domestic absinthe drinker is only going to try a few local brands available locally or via a domestic online shoppe.
You certainly have some brand knowledge if you drew that conclusion so quickly.:)
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:05 am
Hey Absinthe Review Network! I look forward to your next survey. Should prove to be very interesting! I’ve been buying absinthe from several euro websites for years prior to it’s legalization here in the U.S. Have you reviewed some of the new U.S. brands? I haven’t tried many yet but would be very interested in the reviews if you have!
May 8th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Yes, we have reviews of 9 US brands and Absente (absinthe substitute). I was going to publish reviews for two brands new brands to the US La Valote and Pere Francois la bleue this month, but the package was lost…tragedy.
As it stands, I will be posting exclusive impressions of a new prototype and Verte de Fougerolles reviews in their place soon. Following that, I’m aiming to have the US-approved Vieux Carre review up by next month, which will actually be a side-by-side comparison review with C. Carlsson from Spirits Review! I am also working on the FAQs page, so if you want to contribute what you consider a “common” question, please e-mail us.
May 9th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
What´s your favorite Absinthe so far and why? What are you looking for when you buy/drink an Absinthe? Do you think US Absintheurs prefer Vertes or Blanches..?
May 10th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Hi Absinthe Review Network, I’m thrilled to read that there’s going to be a U.S. La Valote! They are one of my most favorite La Bleues! I actually love most of the la Valotes but the Willy Bova is one of my favorites. I’ve never heard of the Pere Francois la bleue so I’d be interested in your review. Being a US absintheur, and I can only speak for myself, I initially preferred the la bleues as I think they have a less bitter note than some of the vertes. I am now beginning to appreciate the higher quality vertes such as the PF 1901 which has now become a favorite. I don’t want to have to add sugar. If the absinthe is smooth enough, verte or la bleue, it doesn’t need it. Most of the quality vertes and la bleues I have tried don’t need the sugar. It’s usually the absinthes that are more bitter that need the sugar. What I’m looking for in an absinthe is flavor & smoothness but it is the high from absinthe that also what sets it apart from other alcoholic beverages. There’s nothing else like it! But that’s just my opinion.
May 11th, 2009 at 5:49 am
Hey you two.:) My favourite absinthe so far is actually a blanche! I prefer verte absinthe 8 out of 10 nights, but this one has just got me hooked right now! It is Blanche Traditionelle Brut d’alambic “essai 4″. Absolutely the most rich absinthe I’ve tasted. The wormwood smells so fresh it’s unreal. Most absintheurs tend to lean toward vertes, yes. I’m not looking for anything in particular when I buy an absinthe other than it be made without any artificial food colouring, sugar (I’m with you on refraining from adding sugar, Lucy), or oil extracts. Other than that, I prefer absinthes with more wormwood than anise, fennel-heavy blanches, and those crazy far-left-field absinthes that turn out to be something special. Eichelberger 70 makes a strong case for a pine element being welcome in absinthe, and likewise Doubs Mystique has the best use of mint I’ve ever experienced in an absinthe.
Lucy, if you can easily write that much on absinthe on an offhand comment, you clearly have a great passion for this drink!:)
I can’t guarantee I will remember to check back here again, but if you wouldlike to continue this conversation (or start new ones!) you can join our temporary discussion boards at groups.myspace.com/theabsinthereviewnetwork or e-mail me.
Cheers!
Ben
May 11th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Hey Ben, I’d have to agree with you on the Brut d’alambic. It’s one of the finest absinthes I’ve had. The taste is full bodied and just plain awesome. And Maniac, I find that most new US absintheurs prefer the vertes, but only because they expect all absinthes to be green. I’ve been at Digestif when people have ordered absinthe for the first time. If they order Kubler they look somewhat confused and ask “Why is it clear?”. Clearly allot of the people in the US still need to learn more about absinthe and that’s what sites like this one and TARN are for.
May 19th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Good point Jack, I can’t believe how many times I’ve heard someone ask fora brand suggestion saying “but I want it to be REALLY green”:) But once people are finally past all that, they’ll find plenty of lovely brands to explore in the blanche category!