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Dr von Zarkov
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« on: November 13, 2007, 02:55:00 am » |
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 | Today's edition of the venerable New York Times discusses the mystique of the drink and its new popularity and legality. |
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"The fact that I wear the protective coloration of sedate citizenship is a ruse of the fox — I learned it long ago."
– Loren Eiseley
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GypsyGurl
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« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2007, 08:12:24 am » |
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A similar situation with the availability has occurred in Australia of late, although in comparison to the reference of a limited brand supply in the US, we seem to have access to quite a wide selection of brands here now. Absinthe is a favourite drink of mine...even to the point of having purchased a fountain and the acroutrements to serve it in the traditional ritualistic way. And I suspect that the act of arranging the liquor, sugar on spoon and then watching as the ice cold drizzle melts the sugar into the liquor to create that lovely green milk haze is as intoxicating as the alcohol content. Our most recent experience was with our very own 'Absinthe Salon' which began at 9pm and completed when we crawled into bed at 8am the following morning after being 'surprised' by the sunrise while we were conversing on the back verandah...we were exhausted but had such a fabulously decadent and enjoyable time. And rest assured that we had ensured that all our guests had alternate methods of transportation to their own abode or were provided with beds onsite. Whatever the reason, I enjoy drinking certain brands of Absinthe for the way it tastes (Pernod and Le Mercier are my two choices so far) and the way it makes me feel...and that is certainly not the same as any other alcoholic drink I have tasted... I also experience strange nostalgia that is pure fantasy but certainly very pleasant and perhaps just a little wicked  |
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"If you'll release restrain me, whatever you ask for ransom, you'll get it I promise you." What Princess Buttercup (The Princess Bride) SHOULD have said...
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The Infernal Mr Adams
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« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2007, 08:58:57 am » |
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I love the nick names in the article: The Green Fairy The Green Goddess The Green Muse The Glaucous Witch The Queen of Poisons.....I wish it was KING of Poisons so I could use it, thats a great name  Anyway, that article made me want a glass, so a poured a glass of Absente
 Ive had this bottle for about 5 year (Im not a big drinker, but I seem to drink this by myself...Hmmm) Anyway, I found out only tonight that Absente actually isn't an Absinthe....Its something called a Pastis which is a reformulated Absinthe....bah! Now I have to go out and get a bottle of Lucid or even better Kübler |
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Signed,
Mr. M___ E_____ Adams
Tinkerer, Adventurer, Man of Leisure, Weird Westerner, and Cad
18--
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Gnome
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« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2007, 09:08:29 am » |
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Now when you say new popularity AND legality, did you mean to say that there is no longer a legal ban on absinthe in the US? I knew Lucid had somehow finagled its way into legality, but did the article imply that this has opened the floodgates to a number of other existing brands?
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If you insist on referring to yourself in the third person, don't be surprised if I start referring to you in the first.
SAVE THE AIR KRAKEN! Join the 11th Greenpeace Airborne division!
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Professor R.J. Hawkes
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« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2007, 12:25:25 pm » |
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I was unable to read the article, mostly because of some computer issues, but if I remember correctly, there are a couple of brands that are US legal, though I believe the vast majority are still a big no-no.
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Formerly, and briefly, Tomcat1066.
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Atterton
Master Tinkerer
Only The Shadow knows
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« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2007, 01:28:00 pm » |
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A night of absinthe drinking? Does that mean it´s not the 90% stuff, or you are just really good at holding your drink?
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In space, no one can hear you steam.
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Great Bizarro
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« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2007, 01:51:27 pm » |
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With or without worm wood for US market.
I do believe you cut it with water to around 19% alc.
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"No matter where you go, there you are"
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cybele13
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« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2007, 08:16:53 pm » |
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Lucid is available in New York, New Jersey, and Texas. http://www.drinklucid.com/Doesn't appear to have any information available on US distribution, though they will ship directly to individuals for personal consumption only: http://www.absintheonline.com/ |
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"Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft!" ~ Theodore Roosevelt
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Atterton
Master Tinkerer
Only The Shadow knows
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« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2007, 08:26:43 pm » |
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If you like the taste of anis, there´s some great stuff made in Malta from cactuses.
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Professor Lidenbrock
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« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2007, 08:35:33 pm » |
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Wikipedia's article on Absinthe is very informative on the needless complexities of U.S. legislation on this matter. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe |
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"Through the ruins of a city stalked the ruin of a man."
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Great Bizarro
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« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2007, 09:10:19 pm » |
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Looks like yet another reason to take a short trip to Austin Texas. Seems Wiggys Wine and Spirit carry it.
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Daemon
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« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2007, 10:08:51 pm » |
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... Anyway, I found out only tonight that Absente actually isn't an Absinthe....Its something called a Pastis which is a reformulated Absinthe....bah! Now I have to go out and get a bottle of Lucid or even better Kübler And not even a proper pastis but a simulation of Absinthe whereupon they substitue Southern Wormwood for Grande Wormwood and I understand they bear little to no resemblance in taste. |
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benthic
Guest
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« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2007, 10:50:09 pm » |
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I've been interested for some time now on procurring a bottle of true absinthe for my friends and myself to share over time, but having previously lived in the middle of the anti-alcohol desert (Utah), no such thing was possible, not even beginning to take into account the laws currently in place to keep decent State-side folks like myself from enjoying the presense of the Green Fairy. But, having moved to New York, I figure this is a good spur to actually visit one of the few liquor shops in Manhattan that actually carries Lucid Absinthe and pick up a bottle to keep me warm during New Year's Eve, since I'll most likely be spending it alone. Oh, if only it wasn't gouging my wallet for $70+ (that's quite a bit to a seldom drinker like myself). Cheers, fellow sugar spooners!
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Atterton
Master Tinkerer
Only The Shadow knows
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« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2007, 10:51:53 pm » |
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I think that thing with the spoon is really only meant to be done on bad quality absinthe, to disguise the bad taste.
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benthic
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« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2007, 10:53:30 pm » |
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I think that thing with the spoon is really only meant to be done on bad quality absinthe, to disguise the bad taste.
I always figured it was more for the ceremony and elite nature of the drink, more than anything, but who am I to know the truth; I've never even had the stuff. |
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Steampunk Cybernaut
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« Reply #15 on: November 13, 2007, 11:36:43 pm » |
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I think that thing with the spoon is really only meant to be done on bad quality absinthe, to disguise the bad taste.
The spoon & sugar tradition is more ritualistic than anything else. It may have started out as a taste hider/improver (like most rituals with alcohol and food, for that matter), but it has certainly evolved into a ritual now, to the point of some individuals having their spoons custom made. --ijw |
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Daemon
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« Reply #16 on: November 14, 2007, 12:37:04 am » |
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Oh, if only it wasn't gouging my wallet for $70+ (that's quite a bit to a seldom drinker like myself). Cheers, fellow sugar spooners!
You COULD simply visit one of many bars that serve Lucid for occasional enjoyment without the large investment. http://www.drinklucid.com/get_lucid_absinthe.cfm has a list of bars. |
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GypsyGurl
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« Reply #17 on: November 14, 2007, 08:13:13 am » |
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A night of absinthe drinking? Does that mean it´s not the 90% stuff, or you are just really good at holding your drink?
Depends what u mean by holding your drink? We began the evening with the 70% thujone Le Mercier (the really good stuff) but after a taste and being responsible adults who were pacing ourselves we then put it away and moved onto the Pernod Absinthe. We did drink all night but we took our time over our glasses and some moved onto drinking G & T's by the end of the evening - in fact we have video footage of two fellas pouring G & T's after sunup - one of which who is on this forum!  But between 7 of us we polished off 2 bottles of Pernod Absinthe and a third of the Le Mercier...twas and expensive but most enjoyable evening  |
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Johannes Ghee
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« Reply #18 on: November 14, 2007, 10:58:58 am » |
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Curious Expeditions has a nicely-written article on The Green Fairy: http://curiousexpeditions.org/?p=82. I'd be interested in having a snifter of the stuff myself, must enquire in the local pubs... |
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"Don't forget to use a reasonable amount of caution should your hobby be one that is dangerous. Your wife doesnt want you to be 'funky' but she has a right to expect you not to take undue risk in your auto car, bicycle or flying machine."
'Dont's' For Husbands 1913.
"Menace him, you idiot!"
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1of42
Gunner
 United States
Lady Katharine
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« Reply #19 on: November 14, 2007, 07:47:06 pm » |
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I just ordered my first bottle of absinthe from Germany, I'm very excited to try it!
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Daemon
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« Reply #21 on: November 14, 2007, 09:51:26 pm » |
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Every "absinth" on that page is czech swill. I can recommend none of it. I would suggest sticking with french, swiss and some German and Spanish absinthes.
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Stefan Freestate
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« Reply #22 on: November 15, 2007, 11:36:43 am » |
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A night of absinthe drinking? Does that mean it´s not the 90% stuff, or you are just really good at holding your drink?
I can attest to the length, breadth and depth of this particular drinking occasion. Whilst Pernod and Mercier were around 70%, these are still fairly hearty drinks. Nor were we un-generous in our portions, with seven of us downing three bottles of the stuff. Plus most of a bottle of Tanqueray and a couple of decent champagnes. Although we did an good job of pacing ourselves, I was completely mentally crippled for about 36 hours afterwards... |
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Relinquo vos liberos.
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Prof. Brockworth
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« Reply #23 on: November 16, 2007, 12:58:01 am » |
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That sounds familiar. My sole foray into the green room was ended waking up face-down in dewy grass, ravens picking at our barbecue remains, with a distinct feeling that the back of my skull was hanging open and things were playing silly buggers with my head. |
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Recovering from pennyfarthing bruises...
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GypsyGurl
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« Reply #24 on: November 16, 2007, 11:39:34 pm » |
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While I was exhausted and spent most of the following day being "vewy vewy qwiet" as per Stefan can attest. My experience has been one of wonder when under the influence of the Green Mist...But in such moderation to prevent the inevitable illness that one would experience with a total over indulgence of any alcohol. I have been considering my reaction and have resolved that this particular intoxication is unique in that it allows (permits) me to reveal my true feelings towards people...perhaps without the sometimes suffocating sense of decorum we are subjected to in the mundane. So provided I am surrounded by people I love then all is good...very beautiful, loving and pleasurable... However, I am not sure how I would be around people that I really don't like and will do my utmost to ensure I never find out  |
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