La Muse Verte
History
Jean-Philippe Brunello co-founded the family business, Artez, in 1995, on 12 hectares (30 acres) of land located in the Western part of the Bas Armagnac.
Jean-Philippe developed a passion for Armagnac and spirits from an early age under the guidance of his grandfather, a cellar master in Ognoas.
In 2003, Artez expanded by acquiring the family recipes of Jean-Michel Berneau, a retiring longtime producer of absinthe and pastis in Gironde, which they continue to make in the same time-honored fashion, entirely by hand.
This original family recipe from the early 1900s is the result of tedious research and the delicate blending of about eight plants, reminiscent in flavor and color of the original absinthe.
The Grande Absinthe (wormwood) brings out the fresh bitterness, but it really is the secret blending with the other plants that gives a perfect balance between the bitterness, the alcohol and the aromas.
This product brings us back a century, to the times of the Muse Verte, or the Green Fairy, which inspired artists such as Beaudelaire, Verlaine, Hemingway, Van Gogh, and Rimbaud...
Quality
La Muse Verte Absinthe Traditionelle is one of the rare absinthes on the market with a historical alcohol content of 68%.
It’s the only absinthe made with totally fresh, cut baby absinthe leaves (used within 5 min. of harvest) grown on the property (depicted at right). This unique particularity from the original recipe gives La Muse Verte its beautiful, luminescent jade color.
La Muse Verte Absinthe contains no sugar or additives, and is entirely natural. For this reason, it is packaged in a black opaque bottle, so that the light does not spoil its color or taste.
Plants
Each of the eight plants in La Muse Verte Absinthe is carefully selected and is steeped in neutral alcohol of various alcohol content depending on the plant, in order to extract its best essential oil.
Plants include:
grande absinthe
star anise
lemon balm
sage
fennel
hyssop
Process
All the infusions are then assembled with great care over different periods of time. Some of the plants macerate for more than 3 weeks.
The final product undergoes a meticulous decantation and natural filtration process with wool and paper, just like in the ancient times: quality comes first.
Preparation
6 to 8 volumes of water for 1 volume of La Muse Verte Absinthe.
Add the water slowly, preferably one drop at a time to the absinthe. Water may be passed through a sugar cube to sweeten the beverage. The absinthe is ready when the film of oils on the top has totally integrated. This process is known as the louche.
La Muse Verte Absinthe
Absinthe Traditionelle
Tasting Notes
Color: bright jade green
Nose: subtle vegetal notes and hints of spring scent.
Palate: herbaceous underwood, floral, spicy hints of anise.
Reviews
95 points. Top 100 Spirits
"Classic aromas of clean and spicy licorice and anise are pungent from this pretty mint green spirit. Spicy and crisp licorice flavors dominate the palate, making this well suited for solo sipping or mixing- a little goes a long way." - Ultimate Spirit Challenge 2022
96 points. "Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation
"Rich green hay color that turn milk cloudy when mixed with water in the glass. Fragrant mint, tarragon and fennel seeds are dominant and enticing. The palate is hot with matcha spice, licorice and balancing sweetness leads into a long finish." Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2018
Chairman's Trophy, 97 points "Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation" - Ultimate Spirit Challenge 2013
“...very good purity...wonderful scents... a quality that’s unusual and pleasing... more in line with how I envision real absinthe to be.” - Spirit Journal
"...for a real show-stopping spectacle, transport yourself to a bygone era with the La Muse Verte Absinthe. This traditional absinthe tower cocktail is crafted from a pre-prohibition family recipe, ensuring an authentic taste. Savor the green elixir as it dances on your palate, delivering a real and unforgettable absinthe experience." Sandra MacGregor, Forbes
Press
-
![Photo of black absinthe bottle with drawing of a green lady on the label and a silver absinthe spoon on the bottle's neck]()
On The Shelf: Spirits
La Muse’s recipe is almost 100 years old and is made with the utmost attention to detail in regards to how the various botanicals are handled and macerated into the bottling. The finished product is filtered through wool and paper in a true toast to the original preparation process.
-
![Photo of two glasses on a tray of mint with bottles behind]()
These Cocktails Need To Be On Your Special Menu This Bastille Day
French importer and distributor, Heavenly Spirits, challenged six bartenders across the country to develop unique cocktails to celebrate Bastille Day.
-
![Two cocktail glasses with brown spirits cast long shadows on a dusky robin's egg blue background]()
Classically Aged: Eight of Our Favorite Armagnacs to Try Now
Armagnac, the grape-based brandy from France’s Gascony region, is a delightful spirit well worth a pour. Although almost every discussion of the category begins by referencing Cognac—the other, more famous French brandy—Armagnac has no problem holding its own.
-
![Three men stand in a vineyard in France, two dark-haired sons on either side of white-haired father]()
Small French Distilleries Lead the Way in Organic Spirits
Organically produced spirits such as cognac, whiskey, and calvados were practically unheard of a few years ago. But that is all changing with small, French-owned craft distilleries playing a big role in this healthy transition.
-
![Photo of Artez Arvani Vanilla Armagnac Liqueur on a white background]()
Top Liqueurs Of 2019 To Stock Your Bar With
Stock your bar with these liqueurs to give your customers a flavorful experience.
-
![Image of three Armagnac bottles against a brown alligator skin backrgound]()
Wine Press: Armagnac - affordable French brandy perfect for cold nights
Made from distilled wine from the southwestern part of France, Armagnac is a delicious brandy (is there any other kind?) perfect for slowly sipping beside a roaring fire on a cold, blustery night.
-
![Three single varietal Artez Bas Armagnac bottles laying down within a custom wooden box]()
Three Little Brandies Perched on My Doorstep
All of these are PHENOMENAL and they have such different distinct characters, so because of that I can't express enough how cool of an experience this 3 pack is, but if I had to choose just one to drink for the rest of my life it would be the Ugni Blanc because it's just so perfectly balanced in every aspect. Artez is damn good stuff, guys. You won't regret trying all three of these.
