Barber Lee Absinthe

Barber Lee Absinthe is San Francisco's take on the legendary green spirit: a traditional blanche (clear, unaged) absinthe at 65% ABV (130 proof) in a 375mL bottle, distilled with wormwood, green anise, and fennel in the classic French style. Made by Barber Lee Distillery in California, it delivers the full absinthe ritual — the slow louche, the herbal complexity, the mystique — in a craft half-bottle. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

• ABV: 65% (130 proof)
• Size: 375mL
• Style: absinthe blanche (clear, unaged)
• Origin: San Francisco, California — Barber Lee Distillery
• Botanicals: wormwood, green anise, fennel (traditional trinity)

The Green Fairy, San Francisco Style

Absinthe began as a Swiss-French herbal medicine, became the muse of Belle Époque Paris, was banned for the better part of a century, and has now been reclaimed by craft distillers — including Barber Lee in San Francisco. Their blanche follows the traditional build: the holy trinity of grande wormwood, green anise, and fennel, distilled (not merely macerated) for a clean, clear spirit. Blanche absinthes skip the secondary herbal steep that gives verte its green color, trading chlorophyll funk for crystalline precision — the connoisseur's choice for tasting the distillation itself.

Tasting Notes

Crystal clear in the glass. The nose is intensely herbal — anise and fennel first, wormwood's bitter-green depth underneath. On the palate it is powerful and focused at 130 proof: sweet anise, cooling fennel, and that unmistakable wormwood bitterness, all in high definition. With water it louches to a milky opal and softens into a long, bittersweet, mouth-numbing finish.

How to Enjoy

The traditional rite: one part absinthe to four or five parts ice-cold water, dripped slowly over a sugar cube if you like it classic. It also rinses a Sazerac or brightens a Corpse Reviver #2 like nothing else. Compare styles in our absinthe collection and see more from the distillery at Barber Lee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between blanche and verte absinthe?
Blanche is clear and unaged, bottled straight from the still; verte gets a secondary herbal maceration that adds green color and extra botanical depth.

How do you drink absinthe?
Dilute 1:4 or 1:5 with ice-cold water, poured slowly — the spirit turns milky (the louche) as the herbal oils emulsify.

Is absinthe legal in the US?
Yes — properly made absinthe meeting FDA thujone limits has been legal in the US since 2007.

How strong is Barber Lee Absinthe?
65% ABV (130 proof) — dilution is part of the serve, not optional.

For more esoteric spirits, browse liqueurs. Order Barber Lee Absinthe online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA — the green fairy, Bay Area born.