First ever experience with absinthe purchased for the sake of making a Sazerac. Before we go there, however, let’s see what this is all about. Straw yellow in color with powerful star anise (black licorice), powdered sugar, lime, wildflowers and spearmint on the nose without water. It clouds nicely with water and maintains its sweet black licorice aroma with a slight earthy/herbal tea note. Without added sugar (but 3:1 with water) the taste is... anise, rubbing alcohol, powdered sugar and a thick, oily finish with black licorice, lime zest, and bitter herbal tea. With added sugar the anise lessens but is still the most prominent flavor - the tea note becomes a bit stronger and less bitter making this much more pleasant. There is still a thorough coating of the mouth with a slight numbing effect and long, long finish. I don’t know that I ever plan to drink this on its own again but the added sugar certainly balances it out. Now if only that damn monkey in the corner will stop staring at me...