Tempus Fugit Vieux Absinthe

Tempus Fugit Spirits recreates rare and historic spirits using archival recipes and old-world techniques. Their Vieux Pontarlier Absinthe is distilled in Pontarlier, France — long considered the center of absinthe tradition — using grape spirit (Chardonnay base) and locally grown Pontarlier wormwood, as well as a suite of traditional botanicals. The project was built from painstaking research into pre-ban distilling logs and techniques, with generous use of antique alembic stills.

Tasting Notes
Pale peridot green, its louche (when water is added) yields a soft opalescent haze. The aroma is fresh, slightly briny, and gently spicy, with menthol, cacao, and herbal undercurrents. On the palate, a delicate winey sweetness leads into rich herbal complexity — wormwood, anise, fennel — all layered over grape spirit character. The finish is cooling and lingering, with a clean herbal resonance and a trace of spice.

Serving Suggestion
Serve with ice-cold water drips (3–5 parts water to 1 part absinthe) to induce the louche and reveal depth, or use in classic absinthe cocktails like the Sazerac or the Absinthe Frappé.