Thread: Absinthe Anyone?

i love the stuff.. me and a buddy brought back a few bottles from germany on our way home from iraq, drank most of it already and have one bottle left, the stuff tastes like anise and fire, really strong in the alcohol department at 160 proof (80%). they were all just small individually numbered bottles.

I watched a special on the history channel about Absinthe, and this is what they said....absinthe now adays is not nearly as potent as it was at the turn of the 1900's. During that time, it was rationed out to french soliders, and the content of wormwood was very high. By todays standards, they said you would die of alcohol poisoning long before they "started seeing faries" Ive been all over europe, and real absinthe is clear, I see alot of bottles that are all kinds of pretty colors.

Finally tried the Lucid Absinthe Superieure, excellent stuff! Tried it neat first just to get a baseline on it's flavor - very black licorisey, then diluted with water until it louched. The water brought out more aroma, in addition to the anise, and the licorise flavor was toned down a bit. I detected some citrusy notes and a peppery aftertaste. Definately naturally colored. No neon green, but a more yellowish geen from the natural herbs added after distilation. The louche comes on fairly rapidly and is a whitish, milky opacity with just a hint of the green remaining. It was a very satisfying and refreshing drink. Highly recommended. There are probably some higher end absinthes, but Lucid can certainly stand on it's own.

As for the "secondary effect": if you are expecting the walls to bend, and objects to melt all around you...forget it. That stuff is all hogwash anyways. What I did notice, though, was a very relaxed and aware sensation very different from the typical alcohol buzz. This is probably more of what the early absinteurs of the Belle Epoque (the artists and poets known to drink the stuff) were experiencing. They just wrote about it in more, or less, creative and poetic form.

Did some people of that era experience more severe effects? Probably the unfortunate ones who imbibed some rot-gut faux-synthe made from methyl alcohol and who knows what else.

But, if you do like true absinthe, I believe you will enjoy Lucid.


Scott

Someone already mentioned that the wormwood content of absynthe in the 1800's was probably a lot higher than wht you can legally get now.
Remember that 100 years ago, it was perfectly acceptable for scientists and scholars to use cocaine to increase their focus and mental activity. There was no stigma attached to drug in that age.

I tried a homebrew absinthe kit several years ago... all it did was make me vomit (and I hold my liquor uite well.)

then in 2005 I was at a bar that has been around a while when the bartender found a very old bottle of it in the store rooms he was cleaning out in the back.

He and I each took a few shots (him 2 me 5) didn't get anything more than I'd normally get from any other liquor of that proof (100)

but it did have a very strong taste of anise. we both remarked that it didn't seem any different than ouzo.

Originally Posted by honedright

What I did notice, though, was a very relaxed and aware sensation very different from the typical alcohol buzz. This is probably more of what the early absinteurs of the Belle Epoque (the artists and poets known to drink the stuff) were experiencing.
Scott

exactly. as I said the first time I had it, "It's like being intoxicated without being drunk"

I've recently bought 2 bottles of Jade absinthe as well as Un Emile 68. All were pretty good but I definitely liked Jade more.

At this point, absinthe is definitely legal in US as I've seen various brands (not absinte or Lucid) around the stores in NYC.

I've bought a bottle of Absinte Verte by St. George Spirits - small distillery in CA. It's excellent although I don't think it has wormwood. It doesn't even need sugar. I, personally, think it's on par with Jade although experts might disagree.

As far as I know, there is no real absinthe in Chech republic. I've had some bottle brought in and they were basically just alcohol with coloring. As far as color goes, btw, as far as I know green is a typical color nowdays. White is a typical color of 19th century and can still be bought. There is red as well.

Originally Posted by addicted

I've recently bought 2 bottles of Jade absinthe as well as Un Emile 68. All were pretty good but I definitely liked Jade more.

At this point, absinthe is definitely legal in US as I've seen various brands (not absinte or Lucid) around the stores in NYC.

I've bought a bottle of Absinte Verte by St. George Spirits - small distillery in CA. It's excellent although I don't think it has wormwood. It doesn't even need sugar. I, personally, think it's on par with Jade although experts might disagree.

As far as I know, there is no real absinthe in Chech republic. I've had some bottle brought in and they were basically just alcohol with coloring. As far as color goes, btw, as far as I know green is a typical color nowdays. White is a typical color of 19th century and can still be bought. There is red as well.

In order for it to be a true absinthe, the product must contain Artemesia Absinthium (Grand Wormwood). Without the wormwood, it is not a true absinthe. The Czech absinthes are generally known to be poor examples of the product. They are "real" absinthes containing grand wormwood, just not very well made, or so I've read. They tend to be infusions, rather than distilations (as are the better absinthes), of the herbs and alcohol. The color of the Czech, and a lot of the middle of the road absinthes from Europe, are artificially colored. You can usually tell by the extreme bright green that is usually not possible with natural coloring from herbs. Not all absinthes are green though. Some of the Swiss absinthes are clear "La Blanche" (Kubler is a popular Swiss brand that was along side the Lucid. I may have to try that one next.) and some other European styles are red.

My next goal is to start collecting some of the ephemera that goes along with absinthe such as absinthe fountains, the spoons, and glasses. Also some period absinthe related art-work/ posters.

Ut-oh, another aquisition disorder....$$$$$$$$$$$$$


Scott

I've got two bottles of "Un Emile" some french Absinthe thats pretty good. Rarely in the mood for it though. Only had a few different kinds and all at the burning man festival in the black rock desert.

I have tried Absynthe before. My girlfriend, now wife, bought me a bottle out of curiosity for my 33rd birthday, some 4 years ago now.

All I can say is that after drinking through the bottle, a couple of small shots a night over a period of about a week or so until the bottle was finished, I can say with my hand on my heart that it was an experience that reminded me of what some people describe as a mixture of being "creatively aware" and extremely relaxed.

Forget taking a few shots a night, even the weaker variants. it is that strong (in both terms of alcohol and worm wood), so do be careful!

Personally, I had a relatively weak bottle at "only" 60% ABV, and that was quite enough. Some bottles have sky-high alcohol content as well as worm wood content, so take your time and choose carefully and consume with great moderation to start with - perhaps a single small shot in early evening and then read, listen to music or smoke a cigar.