Hill's absinthe: a guide to alcohol

History of Hill's absinthe

Albin Hill founded Hill's Liquors in 1920. He started out as a wine buyer, but soon after that he started producing his own liqueurs. His son Radomil was born in 1924. He grew up in a business environment and in his late teens went to Prague to study at a school for mixing and producing liqueurs. At that time, there were only three such schools in Europe: in Berlin, Paris and Prague.

In 1947, Radomil Hill founded the company's own division in Valasske Mezirici, in North Moravia, Czech Republic. The father and son prospered, producing drinks such as absinthe, Radigast (an herbal liqueur named after the Slavic god of war), Alpine Rum (160 proof), and Zubrivka (vodka made from bison grass). Interestingly, the herb for Zubrivka was collected from the Gomel region in Ukraine.

Unfortunately, in 1948 everything changed for Hill's. The new communist regime began its business nationalization program, which meant that all the company's land and property was confiscated, including Radomil's own car.

Albin Gill was forced to work as a night watchman in his old age. He was also denied a pension because the government considered him a capitalist. He died in poverty.

In 1950, Radomil Hill joined the Fruta company in Bohemia (a state-owned monopoly in the production of alcoholic beverages) as a truck driver. As it became known that Radomil was an expert in the production of liqueurs, he immediately rose in the company until he reached the position of head of production. Because of his capitalist background, and not being in the Communist Party, he could not take the position of CEO. Although in practice he was one.

In 1990, after the Velvet Revolution, Radomil Hill was one of the first to begin negotiations to return his property. With 50 oak barrels of 500 liters, the family business has once again begun to flourish.

Today, Hill's produces 72 types of spirits, including Absinthe.

Types of Hill's absinthe

1. Hill's Absinth

   

   Hill's Absinthe is made according to an old family recipe. It is created by steeping certain herbs, in particular, wormwood (Artemisia bitter) and Roman wormwood (Artemisia pontica). Strength 70%.

   Thujone content: 10 mg/l.

2. Hill's Premium Absinthe

   

   This is a wonderful selected absinthe, made according to an old family recipe from 1920. Hills Premium Absinthe contains the herbal base of the "holy trinity", consisting of wormwood, anise and fennel, as well as eight other herbs to emphasize the incomparable taste of absinthe. This blend of herbs gives a wonderful and unique look with a herbal flavor that is slightly bitter with a refreshing lemon aftertaste in the background. Strength is 70%.

   Herbs used: bitter wormwood, pontic wormwood, anise, fennel, coriander, hyssop, cloves, mint, lemon balm, lemon and orange slices

   Thujone content: 35 mg/l.

   Production process: maceration / distillation, 100% natural product.

3. Hill's Absinth Verte

   

   Limited edition vintage absinthe. Contains 70% alcohol by volume. It has a rich and fresh taste and aroma, light bittersweet notes, intense and mild aftertaste. All this is achieved through a bouquet of carefully selected herbs and a unique production method. More than 15 herbs are used in the distillation process, including the "holy trinity" of absinthe: wormwood, anise and fennel. Production of this recipe is strictly limited to 400 bottles. Each batch and bottle number are handwritten on the label.

Update: 14.12.2021

Category: Absinthe