Mata Hari is also NOTHING like real absinthe .
Avoid it .

my friend, I must guide you back into the light .

Louche, while one of the key aspects of Absinthe, is not solely found there. I have proven that other, non-absinthe kinds of alcohol can produce a louche.

When I review an absinthe, I seek louche, the slight numbing of tongue and lips, a deep emerald green color and I try to place it on the spectrum of wormwood-to-anise flavor (but not necessarily in that order).

Le Tourment Vert and Mata Hari are not mainstream absinthes, but they are interesting varietals. They should be judged on their own merits, in a separate category (or perhaps a sub-category) from Absinthe. When I've conducted tastings, these two often produce grimaces from the tasters.

I remember the first time I opened a bottle of Mara Hari. I was initially repulsed by the taste, but after I'd finished the glass, I went back for another... and later for another... and another...

Whether it's a true absinthe or not is immaterial - what matters is if you like it. I like these two as an occasional departure from the more traditional.

And yes, I drink them even though they don't louche as much as I'd like to see.