Half-Bottle of Letherbee Charred Oak Absinthe Brun

How many people does it take to run a successful independent distillery? Apparently not many because Letherbee from Chicago has a small, talented collective of former bartenders at the helm of this boutique production. With no investors and no outside marketing, Letherbee is doing things with authenticity and swagger. This absinthe starts off with a standard recipe that includes wormwood, anise and fennel, then aging in new, charred American oak barrels for six months. The barrel age mellows its upfront anise flavor and presents more floral and spice driven notes. Meanwhile, the barrel age also incorporates vanilla and caramel flavors that coalesce into a mint chocolate chip profile. You could sip this very slowly as a neat spirit, but louching (adding water) creates a refreshing aperitif fit for the hot summer nights in Chicago.