Before adding water this extra superieure French absinthe has a pale bright lime tinged appearance, a forward & intense aroma of wood & new pine with a citrus background. It is best enjoyed by adding 4 to 6 parts iced water dripped over sugar creating a pale lime green louche, after which its flavours evolve into a textured superb structure with a powerful complex flavour. This La Fee XS Francaise is a classic extra superieure French absinthe. La Fee XS Francaise is an extra superieure absinthe distilled in the historical town of Pontarlier, the French homeland of absinthe. Production in the region began in the early nineteenth century & it is here that our XS Francaise distiller's great grandfather produced absinthe prior to its ban in 1915. For XS Francaise those same stills, purchased second hand in 1870 are used along with traditional distillation methods, a fine selection of herbs & a wine alcohol base resulting in a truly authentic absinthe. Due to its complexity the distillation of La Fee XS Francaise is personally performed by our distiller. The best quality locally grown herbs are used, with the fresh wormwood of Pontarlier hung & dried upside down in the dark eaves of the distillery to preserve its goodness. Each plant is stripped by hand leaving the stalk behind. The finest ingredients, including grand anise, wormwood & wine alcohol are soaked producing an intense exotic aroma. This is then distilled twice over the course of a few days, while other fine secret herbs are distilled in separate pot stills. The two resulting liquids are finally distilled together & then stored in oak barrels to mature. A secret recipe of herbs, as used by our distiller's great grandfather, is then added to create colour. Originally finest top quality absinthe was made using a wine alcohol base, after years of research La Fee teamed up with two of the most highly regarded distillers in France & Switzerland to produce two new & exciting absinthes; La Fee Extra Superieure. This X.S collection consists of two premier wine based absinthes that are hand crafted using original recipes & methods.