Blanche/La Bleue (clear)

Reference

Val-de-Travers (Swiss), Pontarlier (French), Neuchâtel

ABV50-74%
Sub-styles
Swiss La BleueFrench blancheModern clear expressionsSingle-estate botanicals

Tasting Notes

Alpine herbs, wormwood (gentler than verte), anise, fennel, hyssop, mineral, mountain spring water, slight menthol. La Bleue is typically more delicate and herbal than French verte. The absence of coloring herbs (hyssop, melissa) used for the green color means a different botanical balance.

Brand Guide

Well

Kubler ($30-38)

Call

La Clandestine ($40-52)

Premium

Brevans La Valote Martin ($55-70)

Top Shelf

Claude-Alain Bugnon ($80+). La Clandestine is the reference: the producer literally started during the ban

Explore Spirits

The Story

Clear absinthe that traded clandestine Swiss cellars for modern French revival, proving botanicals need no color to announce themselves.