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I’ve touched on absinthe before, but I’m going to revisit it in honor of a friend who is currently planning the LA launch party of one of the two Absinthes imported sans trouble into the U.S. One is the French brand, Lucid (!), and the other, Kübler, debuted just weeks ago from Sweden. And neither are green! A party pumping Kübler absinthe into the probably-planning-on-driving-at-some-point crowd, well, it makes me shudder. Vehicle-free partiers in NYC are likely to party harder; indeed, The NYTimes indulged in a salubrious meditation on the fairy and its new brands yesterday:
One reason legal barriers have fallen is that, as The New Yorker reported in 2006, the regulated chemical thujone, found in wormwood and once thought to have been the cause of absinthe’s lure and its dangers, did not show up in any significant quantities in analyses of historical absinthe. So these authentic replicas, despite containing wormwood, do not pose a legal challenge. And the alarmed pronouncements about absinthe made from the beginning of the Belle Époque have been proved groundless, which was decisive, a Kübler spokesman said, in swaying United States government regulators.
Has anyone tried these new brands? NYMag does a taste test of the two here. Even though absinthe is now legal here, and clear as any other high-proof ether, I feel like I’m going to be seeing pictures I don’t want to see in Star soon–a gaggle of celebrities huddling in a booth somewhere, lighting up, bending down, and shooting the stuff. And hopefully quitting while they’re ahead. But maybe I’m overreacting: maybe a bit of vintage 1863 good stuff is harmless compared to downloading gallons of brew. What do you think?
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I haven’t seen either of those two yet in PA, but I’ve been drinking Absente which is a fake absinthe using a different kind of wormwood. It’s pretty to look at, quite tasty, and feels interesting in the mouth. I’m looking forward to the day the real stuff shows up in the local liquor store. I don’t think it will be any more potent than any other booze, but it will be interesting to try.
posted by Camille on 11-13-2007 at 6:02 pm
I used to live in the Czech Republic and am quite familiar with this intoxicant. While living in CZ there were different levels of potency. Red was the weakest stuff, Blue was usually given at Bars & Restaurants, while the olive-oil colored stuff was reserved for a truly intoxicating adventure.
I’m not very excited about the entry of absinthe into American markets. I’ve looked at the level of thujone and it’s pretty minimal. Leave it to America to take the fun out of the drink. Although I do think it would go well with the culture here in the Bay.
…oh and I only drink the olive oil colored stuff and definitely not Absente. Next time you’re in the Area Becky I’ll pour you some!
posted by FRO Majors on 11-13-2007 at 6:11 pm
FRO, apparently the Czech “olive oil-colored” stuff doesn’t have a whole lot of thujone either, if it’s made by historical standards and the historical research is true. Maybe more than blue or red, but still minimal.
I’ve always wanted to try absinthe, but my husband has been wary. With the assurances that the green fairy has never been truly noxious, I may get to now!
posted by lleachie on 11-13-2007 at 7:14 pm
Hmm, not much of a drinker (might have to do with the fact that I am only 15) and not much of a hallucinogen-user, either. Sounds interesting, though–I have a soft spot in my mind for absinthe since I first saw “Moulin Rouge.” I really wish people would not abuse substances like that, though. Another death because of something silly and preventable like that is absolutely useless.
posted by Allison on 11-13-2007 at 7:29 pm
I tried absinthe while I was living in Italy last year. Honestly, the hype surrounding it in the States is completely unfounded, since it has been proven that the green fairy is nothing more than just another alcoholic drink. One that I didn’t particularly enjoy, either. I’m certain that many “rebels” will have fun believing they’re doing something naughty, though :)
posted by Maria on 11-13-2007 at 7:42 pm
while i was in ireland i got to try it, and while it it was for the most part just another form of booze, it did give me a very mild yet plesant high. But as a hallucinogen it it didn’t do a darn thing.
posted by zach on 11-14-2007 at 1:12 am
I have tired both Absinthes. Kubler was clear and did not sit well with me. Maybe because so many people told me that it was not a high rated product in Europe, however well known. Lucid, in fact is green, so I am not sure why someone would claim it is not. Also, TA Breaux makes it and it is a very smooth drink, diluted or not. Very pleased with Lucid.
posted by Marc L on 11-14-2007 at 7:15 am
I’ve tried Unregulated Swiss Absinthe smuggled bacl into the US(not by me!); what others have already stated is true. High in alcohol content, but not no noticeable hallucinagen.
posted by Andrew on 11-14-2007 at 8:24 am
I tried absinthe… and I can honestly say I will never drink it again, as the taste is horrible. Give it out to people – most will take one sip and gag. Not worth the hassle of making it legal in the US.
posted by Sarah on 11-14-2007 at 8:54 am
(Un)fortunately, wormwood does not contain hallucinogenic properties as widely believed, though drinkers report a more energetic, lucid drunk – probably a difference from beer and liquor comparable to a silly, slushy wine drunk.
They need to hurry up with this distribution. I want some. I hear it tastes nasty. I don’t care.
Sarah: Not worth the hassle of making it legal in the US? It’s been legal. The limit for thujone in a drink has been in place because of its poisonous properties, but apparently the old recipes for absinthe are below this level and have been legal in the US for quite awhile. European manufacturers have only just finished arguing with the US government about it. I’m surprised they came out on top. The US *always* wins… I must be on the absinthe.
posted by TMo on 11-14-2007 at 10:10 am
“FRO, apparently the Czech “olive oil-colored” stuff doesn’t have a whole lot of thujone either”
Depends which one you get. Some have 35mg. There is even one with 100mg called Century Absinthe that is made in a forest using fresh wormwood. Expensive though..they say it makes you see the Green Fairy :-)
Lucid is green but it doesn’t have thujone as it is probited due to a law from the Prohibition era. It also tatses sugary and has no anise.
Kubler is from Switzerland I think. Quite nice and better than Lucid
posted by BioLord on 11-14-2007 at 10:55 am
I drink absinthe and can assure you all strange effects, other than those of other alcoholic bevvies, are complete myths. The madness associated with absinthe drinking arose due to unscrupulous distillers putting wood alcohol in the mixture. When demand outstripped supply as thousands of French troops returned from foreign duty, it opened the door to these corner cutting jerks. Money making was their only object and wood alcohol was very cheap.
For an alcoholic drink that is really hallucinogenic–and legal–try yellow Chartreuse. For quality absinthes I recommend those made by T. A. Breaux. Furthermore, do not be stupid and try the ridiculous fad of setting absinthe on fire–it’s pointless and crude. Use the classic ritual and enjoy the louche.
posted by Alice on 11-14-2007 at 11:04 am
had absinthe in bath, england this summer. wasn’t all that impressed.
posted by shelly on 11-14-2007 at 11:05 am
Hi Alice
I have to disagree with you. If you drink real absinthe you’ll notice what absintheurs call “secondaries”
Thujone is a 100% natural product of Artemisia absinthium and it causes the gaba receptors in your brain to fire randomly. Pre-ban absinthe had about 260mg/l of thujone according to Niels Arnold of Kansas University. As I say the highest you can get today is 100mg.
It is relaxing and counters the effects of alcohol. Fake absinthe (most modern varieties) will not do this. Absinthes that use chemotypes of wormwood to avoid the US ban will also not do this as they remove the thujone.
The absinthe must also have anise (Pimpinella anisum)to enjoy the secondaries some say, but I am not so sure.
If you do not agree…try some real absinthe and become a convert :-)
I’ll write an article on it if you like :-)
posted by BioLord on 11-14-2007 at 11:59 am
Meh. I have an associate who brings me back a couple bottles from the czech republic when he travels there (usually around once a year).
Good times. :)
posted by Darkrose on 11-14-2007 at 1:55 pm
I read somewhere that the reason absinthe got the reputation that it has now is from the French. around the turn of the century, there was a drought (or some other kind of unfavorable weather condition) that caused a severe shortage of grapes. absinthe was offered as a replacement and soon became popular. too popular. once the wine industry was back on its feet, it was getting ignored by absinthe lovers. so the french started a campaign against absinthe–that it caused hallucinations, mental disorders, etc and that it was immoral to drink. it apparently worked.
like i said, i read this somewhere cant remember where so it may not be true. kinda makes sense though
posted by Rob on 11-14-2007 at 2:08 pm
My roommates and I tried Absenthe from Lucid for the first time this weekend. I can’t say I care for the taste (overpowering menthol fumes and way too strong black licorice) but if you use some of the drink recipes from their website you can easily cover up the taste.
We experienced it first the traditional way by allowing it to louche. The sugar didn’t add a thing because it just fell to the bottom of the glass.
I can say it was definately a different type of tipsy feeling though. I didn’t feel sluggish but my tounge did feel distinctly numb. I had some incredibly lucid (perhaps hence the brand name?) dreams that night too. I think I’ll do it again :)
posted by Lainey on 11-14-2007 at 6:06 pm
Never cared for the stuff, although I do like ouzo.
I seem to recall reading somewhiere that commiting a crime while high on absinthe is a legal defense in France.
posted by Doc on 11-15-2007 at 10:56 am
Whatever you are looking for in terms of Absinthe, they have it! Click my name to see for yourself.
posted by AbbieAbsinthe on 2-2-2008 at 8:33 pm