La Fee Absinthe Parisienne 200ML is a traditionally distilled French absinthe bottled at 68% ABV (136 proof) in a 200ml format. Awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast in 2024 and named Absinthe of the Year at the 2021 USA Spirits Ratings, this expression stands as one of the most critically decorated absinthes available today.Quick Facts: ABV: 68% (136 proof) | Origin: Rhône-Alpes, France | Style: Verte (Green) Absinthe | Distillery: Cherry Rocher (est. 1705)Production & HeritageLa Fee Parisienne is produced at the Cherry Rocher distillery in La Côte-Saint-André, in the Isère department of southeastern France — a facility with roots dating back to 1705. Nine botanicals, including Grand Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), Petit Absinthe (Artemisia pontica), genepi (a rare mountain wormwood), green anise, star anise, fennel, hyssop, and coriander, are each individually distilled before being carefully blended. This labor-intensive approach, using a sugar beet neutral spirit base, allows for greater control over each botanical's contribution to the final liquid. Every distillation batch is personally approved by Marie-Claude Delahaye, a world-renowned absinthe historian and expert, ensuring rigorous quality oversight.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with a slightly vegetal freshness, giving way to clean fennel fronds and celery leaf. Anise emerges gradually alongside a subtle herbaceous warmth from the Artemisia botanicals.Taste: A faint sweetness greets the palate on entry, quickly framed by light tarragon and fennel seed at mid-palate. The herbal Artemisia profile builds steadily, with soft anise and spicy coriander threading through the body. When diluted with cold water in the traditional louche, the spirit becomes remarkably balanced — anise and liquorice rise to the surface, supported by fennel, coriander, angelica, and cool hints of mint.Finish: The finish is long and fresh, with lingering liquorice and rounded anise giving it staying power. Herbaceous wormwood and a dry coriander spice close things out cleanly.How to Drink La Fee ParisienneThe classic French ritual remains the best way to experience this absinthe: place a sugar cube on a slotted spoon over the glass, then slowly drip ice-cold water at roughly a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio until the louche (the milky cloud) forms. This unlocks the full botanical complexity. Beyond the traditional serve, the Parisienne works well in cocktails: Corpse Reviver No. 2 — a few dashes rinse the glass, and the herbal wormwood backbone lifts the gin-and-citrus base. Death in the Afternoon — the Hemingway classic pairs absinthe with chilled champagne; the Parisienne's anise and fennel marry beautifully with dry sparkling wine. Sazerac — the absinthe rinse is essential, and the genepi and wormwood notes here add genuine depth alongside rye whiskey and Peychaud's bitters. Best For Exploring absinthe for the first time in a smaller, lower-commitment format Building a home cocktail bar with an authentic absinthe rinse bottle Gifting a spirits enthusiast with a conversation-starting bottle Hosting an absinthe tasting alongside the traditional louche ritual Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does La Fee Parisienne taste like? La Fee Parisienne delivers a herbaceous, anise-forward profile with supporting notes of fennel, liquorice, coriander spice, and cool mint. When diluted with water in the traditional louche, the flavors become more balanced and approachable, revealing additional layers of tarragon and angelica.How does La Fee Parisienne compare to Pernod Absinthe Supérieure? Both sit at a similar price tier, but La Fee Parisienne uses nine individually distilled botanicals — including the distinctive genepi mountain wormwood — which contributes to a more layered herbal complexity. Pernod Absinthe Supérieure is bottled at a lower 68% ABV (matching the Parisienne) and is a solid alternative, though reviewers have noted La Fee's greater botanical depth.Is La Fee Parisienne good for cocktails? Yes — at 68% ABV with a concentrated botanical profile, even a small amount contributes meaningful herbal complexity to cocktails like the Sazerac, Corpse Reviver No. 2, and Death in the Afternoon. The 200ml size is particularly practical as a bar bottle for absinthe rinses and dashes.Where is La Fee Parisienne made? It is distilled at the Cherry Rocher distillery in La Côte-Saint-André, located in the Isère department of the Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. The distillery has been in operation since 1705, making it one of the oldest in the country.What foods pair well with La Fee Parisienne? Briny oysters on the half shell complement the anise and herbal notes nicely. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese works well against the spirit's fennel and coriander spice. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage mirrors the bittersweet wormwood character. Fresh herb salads with tarragon and fennel echo the botanical profile, while charcuterie boards with cured meats balance the spirit's intensity.What sizes does La Fee Parisienne come in? This product is a 200ml bottle, though La Fee Absinthe Parisienne is also commonly available in a standard 750ml format.Is La Fee Parisienne worth the price? La Fee Parisienne positions itself within the premium absinthe tier, justified by its individually distilled nine-botanical recipe, oversight from absinthe historian Marie-Claude Delahaye, and consistent critical acclaim including a 92-point Wine Enthusiast rating and Absinthe of the Year honors. The 200ml format offers accessible entry into an award-winning expression without committing to a full-size bottle.Why La Fee Parisienne?What separates this absinthe from the crowded field is the individual distillation of each of its nine botanicals — a process far more time-intensive than single-batch distillation but one that yields greater precision and consistency. The inclusion of genepi, a mountain wormwood rarely used in commercial absinthe, gives the Parisienne a distinctive herbal signature that competitors lack. Critical recognition backs this up: a 92-point rating from Wine Enthusiast, five stars from Difford's Guide, Gold Medal and Absinthe of the Year at the 2021 USA Spirits Ratings, and three gold medals at the 2009 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition. Produced at one of France's oldest distilleries under the direct quality approval of Marie-Claude Delahaye, this is absinthe made with genuine authority.
