The Green Fairy

(Bill Gurstelle is guest blogging here on Boing Boing. He is the author of books including Backyard Ballistics, and the recently-published Absinthe and Flamethrowers. Follow him on Twitter: @wmgurst.)

I had two major motivations for writing my new book, Absinthe and Flamethrowers: Projects and Ruminations on the Art of Living Dangerously. First, I wanted to provide readers with the logical arguments behind living a slightly dangerous life; and second, I wanted to research and document some interesting ideas for getting started. One easy idea is sampling absinthe. Now, it's true there is no real danger involved in imbibing any of the fine, modern absinthes now on the market, if done in moderation. But when living dangerously, reputation and history very important.

At one time, drinking the stuff could be pretty dangerous. The icon of the bohemian life, l'heure verte, or green hour was a daily event among hip European imbibers. Indeed, the image that often comes foremost to mind when considering absinthe is a streetful of dissipated Parisian intellectuals, some of whom sunk into poverty and madness by dancing a bit too closely with the Green Fairy.

Maybe the most well known absintheur is Vincent Van Gogh. Long unknown and impoverished, he became famous and successful only posthumously. Van Gogh was a clinically depressed epileptic, and a social outcast who also happened to drink a whole lot of absinthe. Famously, he shared rooms with Paul Gauguin in Provence for several weeks until he sliced off his ear in a fit of rage. In 1889 the townspeople of Arles forcibly sent him to a mental hospital to rid themselves of their frightening, alcoholic neighbor.

Was Van Gogh truly plunged into madness by absinthe? Maybe, but probably not because of any psychotropic chemical contained in the wormwood from which absinthe is distilled. Some researchers say it was the drink's extremely high alcohol content required to keep the natural oils in suspension that made it dangerous. Others claim it was the way the drink was manufactured. According to Scientific American, low-cost, low-grade absinthe, accounted for the majority consumed at the turn of the 19th century. And this was true rot-gut, often adulterated by cheap, poisonous chemicals such as antimony salts and copper sulphate.

The ban on absinthe was lifted a few years ago and absinthe distillation has reemerged as a boutique industry with several small distillers turning out handmade, small batches of the stuff. My personal favorite is called Taboo and it comes from, of all places, Canada! It's intensely anise flavored and the wormwood bitterness is pleasingly apparent at the start. Lucid is a well known brand and is similarly intense. Interestingly, both of these are considerably paler in color than typical French and Swiss absinthes but they do produce the well known "louche" or milky colored opalescence when water is added.

I'm glad it's Friday. I can hardly wait until 5 O'clock for my cocktail. A votre santé!

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Rtarara

http://www.drinkupny.com/category_s/86.htm

You can get all the US legal absinthes there with free shipping over 99. Check out wormwood society to see which are good:

http://www.wormwoodsociety.org/index.php?option=com_jreviews&Itemid=&url=Reviews-Directory/All-Reviews_s4_m/
entropyred

I take offence at your “of all places”. What about Canada says “unlikely location of absinthe breweries”?

But anyways, it’s interesting how people who may not have a problem with alcohol in moderation have a problem with absinthe. From what I understand given the research posted above it is essentially like mixing a stimulant with a depressant, which is always a bad idea, but people still drink Red Bull and alcohol while binge drinking. The risk is just that you’ll overdrink your limit because you don’t feel the affects of the alcohol. As always, if you can trust people to be sensible and responsible for themselves you won’t run into any problems.

Brains are sensitive systems, one should always be careful when messing with their chemistry. But socially-accepted self-harm will always be exciting and tempting to a lot of people!
Chris L

Is the horrible licorice taste of Absente unique to that brand? Does Taboo taste significantly better or not? My friends and I have already wasted our money on Absente and we just assumed that all Absinthe is horrible.
Takuan

what? you think you get to keep your brain forever?
overunger

#24 : You should end that post with “And you damn kids better git off my lawn!!”

I don’t understand why these milktoasters even come to this blog. I guess it’s good for them for inspiration- but I don’t think they really understand where they are.

And big ass ,monolithic kudos to #60! that should balance out #24 ;)

But, yes, I think Absente should be called ABSENT- as in the absence of any true,good wormwood.
Anonymous

Trillium Absinthe by Integrity Spirits in Portland, OR is by far the best I have tried (including my own).
Boba Fett Diop

The “horrible licorice taste” is anise. Common in varying degrees to all absinthes, as well as a number of other spirits or liqueurs including pastis, ouzo, raki, anisette and sambuca.
Anonymous

Professor Arnold, Biochemist at University of Kansas (not involved in absinthe commerce like Ted Breaux):

“But the biggest controversy surrounding the liquor–once dubbed “one of the worst enemies of man”–is about not its resurgence but rather its authenticity. Enthusiasts claim the thujone-free brands, which contain less than 10 parts per million (p.p.m.) of the chemical, are made with the same relatively small amounts of thujone as the old brews. But scientists wrote in the British Medical Journal that absinthe bottled before 1900 packed up to 260 p.p.m. of thujone–which may not sound like much, but consider that only 15 parts per billion of lead in drinking water is enough to scare regulators. “They are playing pretend,” study co-author Wilfred Arnold says of the liquor’s new cheerleaders. “It is nothing like the old stuff.”

Time Magazine

“They are playing pretend” – clear enough, isn’t it?

I hear there is an article under way by one journalist called “The Great American Absinthe Hoax” Wake up, America! If you want to drink licorice flavour high proof hooch, fine. If you want to drink absinthe look elsewhere.
bwaterhouse

I’ve tried most of the absinthes available in the US, and there were only three I liked, all from small distillers on the West Coast. Trillium, made by Integrity Sprits in Portland, is pretty good, fairly sweet with a touch of bitterness. House Spirits and Gwydion Stone produce Marteau, a 136-proof monster with a nice balance of flavors. My favorite is the Absinthe Vert made by St. George Spirits in California. Delicate flavors, strong nose.

The national brands are all pretty terrible (though I’ve yet to try Pernod’s new one). Lucid is unpleasantly bitter, and Le Torment Vert is just anise-flavor jaegermeister with green food coloring. Awful stuff.

In any case, even with the better brands, absinthe is still a strongly flavored herbal spirit that is well suited to cocktails but will put off most people interested in sipping spirits. For relaxed drinking, I stick with gin.
Libertine Belle

In the 90s when I frequented clubs that favored a well-costumed and rather dramatic lot in Boston and Cambridge, MA (Manray and Hexx, to be specific), I had a friend who made his own Absinthe and shared it with me on a regular basis. I believe it was mostly so that he could have his own private reserve, rather than to sell to other people, for the most part.

It was delicious and was mildly hallucinogenic. I always enjoyed it for it the visual effects which I was able to indulge in without the trappings of a long and complicated (and far more intoxicating) mushroom-, acid- or other-trip.

I would say that I never felt any untoward effect from it, but also that we were rather sparing and careful. He smuggled his contraband into the club, and we asked for ice water for a few rounds at the bar, which elicited the raised eyebrow of our comrade-in-decadence-bartender.

I’m relatively certain that nothing available commercially now would taste as good nor twinkle as brightly as our honored guest, the Green Fairy, invited to many a caped-and-fanged evening. I can really understand why Parisians who partook of well-crafted versions of Absinthe grew to love it so much. Absolutely nothing like it.
Takuan

I love anise, licorice and all the associates. Later I found it a folk remedy for asthma. Wonder if the body seeks the medicine?
Takuan

good sidebar
http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_licorice.htm
franko

sigh â€“ like many people have mentioned, there’s SO MUCH mis- and dis-information out there about absinthe. #32 has summed it up nicely.

PLEASE, i beg of you: do not drink it straight, do not think you’re going to hallucinate, do not add sugar or light it on fire! DO order some good absinthe from france or switzerland. avoid the czech stuff. appreciate the delicate flavors and color and action of the louche. it’s not a “get hammered and see visions” type of drink.

also, please stop feeding the rumor that van gogh cut his ear off in an absinthe-induced rage, and that the neighborhood “forced” him into the hospital. he went *voluntarily*, quite calmly. the neighborhood DID circulate a petition that got him evicted afterwards, though â€“ but by the time he was out of the hospital in arles, he was already considering transferring himself to an asylum in st. rÃ©my for more thorough care.
Kieran O’Neill

@Anonymous #36: From Erowid:

“Canada #
As of March 2007, thujone-containing absinthe seems to be regulated by the Provinces, with the central government’s agency Health Canada, only providing non-binding guidelines to each Province’s liquor board. We have been unable to find definitive information about the current regulatory status, but it appears that low-thujone abinsthe (< 5mg/liter) is now available in every Province. Higher thujone content absinthe seems to be available in BC, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. (Ontario & Quebec allow 10ppm thujone, BC has no limit). All other provinces have laws against thujone-containing absinthe. Generally, alcoholic products must be individually approved for retail sale in Canada and are thus tightly controlled by Provicial liquor boards. (unconfirmed) (thanks TOR) (last updated Mar 2007)"

In other words, the laws are per-province, and British Columbia, where Taboo is made, has no limit on thujone content.

@EntropyRed’s ‘What about Canada says “unlikely location of absinthe breweries”?’

The (relatively) strict controls on the production, sale and consumption of alcohol? Canada’s laws are pretty tough on drinking.
Anonymous

Nice to see some educated comments in this thread, but don’t go too far, telling people not to use sugar. There’s plenty of history and tradition for the addition of sugar to absinthe (like more than a hundred years of absinthe spoons) for those who prefer it. It’s like coffee, some folks like sugar, some don’t. There’s no right answer.
Kieran O’Neill

Eep. Some of that quote got lost. Here’s the whole thing:
Canada #
As of March 2007, thujone-containing absinthe seems to be regulated by the Provinces, with the central government’s agency Health Canada, only providing non-binding guidelines to each Province’s liquor board. We have been unable to find definitive information about the current regulatory status, but it appears that low-thujone abinsthe (
Kieran O’Neill

Aarrrrg. Curse you, evil less-than-sign swallowing CMS. One more time, with <

Canada #
As of March 2007, thujone-containing absinthe seems to be regulated by the Provinces, with the central government’s agency Health Canada, only providing non-binding guidelines to each Province’s liquor board. We have been unable to find definitive information about the current regulatory status, but it appears that low-thujone abinsthe (less than 5mg/liter) is now available in every Province. Higher thujone content absinthe seems to be available in BC, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. (Ontario & Quebec allow 10ppm thujone, BC has no limit). All other provinces have laws against thujone-containing absinthe. Generally, alcoholic products must be individually approved for retail sale in Canada and are thus tightly controlled by Provicial liquor boards. (unconfirmed) (thanks TOR) (last updated Mar 2007)
Takuan

doppel eep
Takuan

heh! (I mock you safely from the web!
Crashproof

I admit I’ve only tried Lucid, but I don’t understand why anyone thinks it’s not good… unless of course they just don’t like anise.
Anonymous

#43 agreed…Absinthe Verte from St George – if you’re passing Oakland, CA, visit them…weekends can be lively at their tasting room….
Manooshi

I tried some absinthe three years ago and I didn’t feel shit. Maybe one needs more than one glass of it? It tasted yummy, however.

BTW, is that sugar cube, trippy spoon, fire-burning ritual just urban-legend nonsense or legit? It made for a fun five minutes, regardless.
Takuan

http://www.absinthespoon.com/absinthe_ritual.html
Takuan

http://www.absinthespoon.com/absinthe_spoons.html

I shall develop a new d’auto-dÃ©fense arts martiaux based on ze use of ze absinthe spoon. It vill entail the flicking of sugar crumbs at ze eyes of ze opponent.
Boba Fett Diop

Ted Breaux has revived a number of the better recipes from the 19th century under the Jade Liqeurs marque.

http://www.bestabsinthe.com/index2.htm

I haven’t tried his Lucid (absinthe produced specifically for the US market), but I can attest to several of his others. Note that absinthe is really an acquired taste- you have to really like anise (I am also an inveterate pastis drinker). I’m currently working on a bottle of Versinthe, which isn’t bad (although quite sweet- do not add sugar) and has a dramatic louche.
Anonymous

Absente has never been Absinthe! It’s made from Southern Wormwood (not the same thing), and was not subject to the US ban.
Mekanikal

I bought a bottle of Absente (it’s the one pictured on the far left. About $75 in L.A.) because I was curious and wanted to try it out. It came with the neat sugar cube dissolving spoon and a set of instructions on how to pour it.

I gave the bottle away after having one glass.

It tastes like super-strong flavored black licorice and I could still smell it as my friend was pouring himself one in the other room. If you like the taste of black licorice, then this is the drink for you. I really wish I could drink enough to catch a buzz because I want to know what the alcoholic effect is like, I just can’t stomach it.
Antinous / Moderator

Kieran,

No amount of praying or swearing will keep the less than sign from invoking html. To get < you have to input & l t ; only without the spaces in between the characters.
chandler

Hapsburg Absinthe Premium Reserve at 89.9% Vol (“handle with extreme caution” written on the label) would be a good way for absinthe first-timers to dip their toes in and meet the fairy. I was offered the 85% vol. version at a wine & spirit taster in HK, the event was crowded and various bottles were flowing around… I had had a few and thought I had been poured a shot of tequila, which I naturally downed in one gulp.. Only after a minute of licorice flames shooting from my lungs to my brain did the sensation subside, and the fee gently settled on my shoulder. The 89.9% promises to be a very… friendly libation. Seems to be available at http://www.wineandspirit.com/absinthe.htm
jonathan_v

I had once heard that these modern absinthe’s are really just pastis with the barest amount of wormwood added to handle regulations.

Can anyone here comment on the current amount of wormwood used vs. the historical ?
pjcamp

Licorice flavor? No thanks.

Tastes like electrified Jagermeister through a wolverine piss.

Life is too short to waste time drinking that shit.
phillamb168

Seconding #3 Jonathan_v, I thought the new regs don’t have the “fun” stuff that was in the previous century’s version.
Kieran O’Neill

*sigh* – yeah, that’s what I did in the end, but of course I made the mistake of viewing the preview. That seems to convert < into <, then passes the < on when you submit. So the &&< became <, which became < and worked, but the < became <, which became an open html tag.

I can but laugh.
IWood

Awkward bastards with no manners! I got

posioi

poison vert

cubed sugar in the glass
makes Jesus explode into laughter

and

oooo

prettyprettyprettyburning
holyalmost

It seems to me like drinking Absinthe in the 19th century was a bit like smoking now, ingesting a concoction of chemicals. Although, tobacco will likely never be banned. I guess when it comes to side effects crazy is worse than cancer.

But is it really safer today? I’ve been tempted to try it for awhile but my recollection of the stories told by my Art History profs cause me to be hesitant still.
Anonymous

Why is a bottle of Absente in the picture? That stuff is “absinthe refined”, as they like to say, which means it is absinthe without the real wormwood extract.

Mekanikal, I’m sorry that Absente was your first experience, because it is bogus stuff. Get ahold of a real absinthe, like Kubler or Pernod, and try again. Oh, and forget the sugar – if its good stuff, you really don’t need it.
WeightedCompanionCube

Absinthe won’t make you hallucinate, but drink enough of it and the people around you will think they are seeing things…

I’ve read the wormwood content was never very high. Cheap absinthe (which you won’t really find in the US due to regulations) has all kinds of other stuff in it, some of which may actually be neurotoxins on top of a potent dose of alcohol. People I know who have drank Czech “absinthe” say it tastes like crap and farks you up badly.

And yes, Lucid is good, even if it is trendy now.
TroofSeeker

Hey IWOOD,
I wouldn’t.
arkizzle / Moderator

Mekanikal..

Try drinking anything else, until you no longer despise the flavour.. Then, lap it up!

mmmm :)
Blaine

For the nth time on BoingBoing:

1) Absinthe is nothing more than grass flavored Ouzo. Period.

2) Modern Absinthe actually has MORE thujone than antique Absinthes. Current regulations allow 10 parts per million, pre-ban mixtures that were tested showed 5 parts per million. In both cases it is dilute in the extreme.

Source:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.11/absinthe.html?pg=1&topic=absinthe&topic_set=

3) All “effects” of Absinthe are due to alcohol content.

“The analysis of postban (1915â€“1988) and modern commercial absinthes (2003â€“2006) showed that the encompassed thujone ranges of all absinthes are quite similar, disproving the supposition that a fundamental difference exists between preban and modern absinthes manufactured according to historical recipes. Analyses of pinocamphone, fenchone, base spirits, copper, and antimony were inconspicuous. All things considered, nothing besides ethanol was found in the absinthes that was able to explain the syndrome â€œabsinthismâ€.”

Source:
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jf703568f?cookieSet=1

It’s just alcohol that doesn’t even taste that good.
TroofSeeker

Hey IWOOD,
I wouldn’t.
Anonymous

Do not buy Maktub. Poor quality. Taste like trash. No fairy at all. I was very dissapointed. I learnd my lesson
Takuan

http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/absinthe/absinthe.shtml
elguapostrikes

Hate to come off as pretentious, but those US available absinthes are pretty shitty. You’d be better off ordering some french stuff off of the internet. I recommend Abisinthe 72 Amer, or as Mekanikal mentioned, Versinthe La Blanche is a clear absinthe that I found to be very easy to drink.
nanuq

Well, hell. I’m writing a post about the absinthe ban and I can’t include a link because you jumped the gun. You couldn’t have waited a few days?
elguapostrikes

Sorry, I meant boba fett diop, not Mekanikal.
franko

@takuan â€“

yes, i read that, too, but i call shenanigans. having just finished reading van gogh’s letters, their theory is just thin at best. between his letters and the scant public records of the event that there are, there’s just no reason to think that gauguin cut off van gogh’s ear with his fencing foil. occam’s razor, anyway – why would he be carrying his foil around at night (just because?), and how do you take off an ear with a fencing foil in the dark? i just don’t buy it, and i’ve been reading material about van gogh’s life for many years.
Takuan

but that’s the beauty and joy of artists! They’re looney!
Anonymous

“Famously, he shared rooms with Paul Gauguin in Provence for several weeks until he sliced off his ear in a fit of rage.” A delightfully ambiguous sentence … considering the recent theories about just who is responsible for the incident:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/arts/design/06arts-WASGAUGUINTH_BRF.html
bunnyman2112

Well, last night @ Archipelago band practice, I finished off a nice bottle of Absente. Personally, I *like* the licorice-like flavor! RE: Ted Breaux. Ah, a fellow New Orleanian! Try his Nouvelle Orleans Absinthe (reverse engineered from an old bottle). Nom! Pernod is nice, too. And I believe BoingBoing’s own Xeni recommends Le Tourment Vert (as do I)…
kleer001

Back in ’99 I got some shipped to me from Germany. My girlfriend at the time drank 1/3 of the bottle straight during a party and woke up in the middle of the night vomiting blood on my bed.
I guess it’s a BAD idea to give alcoholics liquor as a present. Who would’ve guessed?
Rooster J Valentine

I’ll stick to my Sailor Jerry and Cola, and Absynth (not a typo):

http://is.gd/PhAO
Takuan

Q: Is the buzz from absinthe really any different from plain liquor?
A: While some people report little difference in the effects of Absinthe vs. other high alcohol content spirits, the presence of Thujone from Wormwood in many Absinthe preparations may alter the effects of alcohol.

Wormwood oil (and therefore, authentic Absinthe) contains both alpha- and beta-Thujone. Beta-Thujone is less toxic and less potent than alpha-Thujone, and the pharmacodynamics of both substances appear to be similar. Therefore, as the more toxic constituent of Absinthe, alpha-Thujone is the focus of the majority of current research.

In an article discussing alpha-Thujone’s mechanism of action, Hold, Sirisoma, Ikeda, and Narahasha (2000) found that alpha-Thujone was a modulator of the GABA-A receptor chloride channel. Under normal conditions, GABA binds to a postsynaptic neuron and allows chloride to enter the cell body. The influx of chloride causes hyper-polarization, or a “calming” effect on the neuron. Alpha-Thujone blocks this influx of chloride into the postsynaptic neuron, resulting in the “calming” inhibitory signals being blocked. This reduction in GABA-mediated inhibition results in excitation, which is why alpha-Thujone is classified as a convulsant and lowers seizure threshold.

The blocking of the usual GABA-A mediated inhibitory effects of alcohol may be the reason why Absinthe drinkers may be more talkative, appear less inebriated, and may drink more alcohol than usual, unintentionally. This can lead to dangerously high blood alcohol levels.

In other words, the alcohol and Thujone may work against each other on the GABA-A receptor, reducing some specific effects of alcohol intoxication.

The less-potent metabolites of alpha-Thujone are active as well, and may remain in the body for longer periods of time. It may be possible that residual activity by alpha-Thujone metabolites, in combination with alcohol withdrawal symptoms, could lead to seizures and possibly add to the mystique of absinthe in inducing both madness and bouts of creativity when consumed in large quantities over a long period of time.

After completing their research with mice, Hold et al. (2000) conclude that “Current low levels of alpha- and beta-Thujone in absinthe are of much less toxicological concern than the ethanol content” (Hold, Sirisoma, Ikeda, & Narahasha, 2000, p. 3831). However, the likelihood of drinking more alcohol than normally would be consumed may be a major risk factor associated with Absinthe consumption.

–Owen

Reference:
Hold KM, Sirisoma NS, Ikeda T, Narahashi T, Casida JE. “Alpha-thujone (the active component of absinthe): gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor modulation and metabolic detoxification.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2000 Apr 11;97(8):3826-31. [Link]
Brett Burton

I’ve only had one serious experience with this stuff. It was smuggled in from the Czech republich back in the days of the US ban. It wasn’t something I would want to drink in large quantities, but the taste wasn’t terrible. We did the trick where you light the whole glass on fire, which was cool. I had maybe two glasses and the rest of the night is a blur. I remember having a really fun time. Maybe it was only psycho-semitic, but it seemed more euphoric then regular drunk. Not much of a hangover the next day. Recently I had it in a great cocktail called The Rattlesnake, which combined it with whiskey, among other things.
pauldrye

My favorite absinthe story has to do with the one of the factories in Pontarlier that made the stuff prior to the 20th century ban (the town had several, and was the centre of absinthe production for the world).

Pontarlier is on the River Doubs, which goes underground for some distance downstream. Geologists were sure that another surfacing river some kilometers away was still the Doubs but couldn’t prove it with the usual trick of dropping dye in upstream and watching for it down — too much distance and too much water diluted the dye beyond observation.

In 1901 there was then a bad fire in Pontarlier and huge quantities of absinthe were discharged into the river. Downstream river was proven to be connected by the vast quantities of cloudy green liquor (and the smell of licorice) the re-emerged miles later.
Anonymous

Bah, I’ll stick with Chartreuse for my “Odd drinks to fuck your ass up” nights.
- Antinous / Moderator
  
  I’ll stick with Chartreuse
  
  Because it’s nice to have sweat that smells like a Carthusian monastery for a week. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
brianv

Steampunk booze.

“We’re gonna party like it’s 1899…”
TroofSeeker

Just so long as you guys understand that you’re experimenting with poisoning yourselves to the point of incapicitation, yet not quite death… you guys enjoy yourselves and the people in your lives. But please keep a little wisdom.
Blaine

For some reason one of the links I posted didn’t work:

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jf703568f

It’s a 2008 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. A nice slice of the article:

The prevalence of the twin myths that preban absinthe generally contained thujone levels in the 260 mg/L range and that thujone in the quantities actually found in absinthe is either psychotropic or harmful in nature is hard to explain with reference to the available scientific research in the modern era.
Anonymous

If you want to trip, do it right and find some shrooms or acid.

If you want to drink something with a bit of an air of mystery that’ll make you feel all steampunky or whatever, drink absinthe.
salvarsan

Ted Breaux reported in April 2008 that the toxin level in the original Pernod absinthe was ~5 parts per million, a homeopathic amount.

This peer-reviewed collaborative article on pre-ban absinthe toxicity,
J. Agric. Food Chem., 2008, 56 (9), pp 3073â€“3081, is the primary reference.

You can freely read it at:
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jf703568f
Takuan

Franko:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/may/04/vincent-van-gogh-ear
P1rat3

I second your vote on Taboo: it is by far the most superior product available. It has the right taste, consistency, and clouds so utterly wonderfully when cold water is languidly trickled into a glass of it.

The only other absinthe I would recommend that even comes close to it (if you can’t get Taboo) is La Fee. http://www.lafeeabsinthe.com/
TroofSeeker

I just realized what Mom meant when she said “Absynth makes the heart grow fonder”.
Anonymous

Met the founder of the Wormwood Society a couple of months ago. Never had absinthe before then, but I can definitely recommend his Marteau. Pricey, but very nice.
Anonymous

OK, I give up! What does a carthusian monastery smell like? Lickeritch?
Anonymous

Absinthe is NOT for hardcore boozing! It is an aperitif, to be sipped gently, on e or two glasses total over the course of an evening. I know some people prefer to go all “rockstar” and drink it in shots, and that’s their business. I’m sure there are also people who like to drink frozen orange juice concentrate without adding water.

Good, real absinthe requires no sugar or theatrics. A mix of four parts spring water to one part absinthe will give you a yummy, easy-to-drink liquor, with a nice louche and a pleasant aroma.
TroofSeeker

…but for a real steampunk buzz, ThimbleDrone. Then run in circles like an airplane on a string.
Maybe that was my first experience with drinking, at about six or seven.
IWood

Well, I’m not double-posting. What’s your excuse? ;-D

Apollo, who mourned at Hyacinthe’s demise,
Refused to concede this victory to Death.
Much better that the soul, adept in transformation,
Had to find a holy alchemy for beauty.
Thus with his celestial hand he drained and crushed
The subtlest harvest of the garden goddess,
The broken bodies of the herbs yielding a golden essence
From which we measure out our first drop – of Absinthe!
In lowly hovels and in glittering courts,
Alone, in pairs, drink up this potion of desire!
For it is sorcery – as one might say –
When the pale opal wine ends all misery,
Opens beauty’s most intimate sanctuary,
Bewitches my heart, and exalts my soul in ecstasy!

-Aleister Crowley
Kieran O’Neill

From the (United States) Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau May 2007 circular:

“We approve the use of the term “absinthe” on the label of a distilled spirits product and in related advertisements only if the product is “thujone-free” pursuant to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation at 21 CFR 172.510. Based upon the level of detection of FDA’s prescribed method for testing for the presence of thujone, TTB considers a product to be “thujone-free” if it contains less than 10 parts per million of thujone.”

I’m not really sure the U.S. produced stuff is likely to be the genuine article, given those regulations.

On the other hand, I’m getting the impression (still haven’t found a solid reference yet though) that British Columbia in Canada has no thujone limits. So, that Taboo stuff is more likely to be the real, thujone-scattering green fairy.
Daemon

I always said that absinthe’s reputation for driving people mad was mostly due to the fact that it’s greatest devotees were people in the artistic community. That is, a subset of society that is already notorious for eccentricity and outright looniness.
Takuan

http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Absinthe-Wallpaper-absinthe-446334_1024_768.jpg
Takuan

http://www.ecodigerati.com/content/pics/greenferry/Absinthe-Ducros-Fils-110KB.jpg
Takuan

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/resources/2008/04/absinthe2.jpg
Anonymous

Guys.

Just roll over to http://wormwoodsociety.org/ for real absinthe info.

It may actually clear up some of the kookery that’s being espoused right now. Because, seriously, Absente? Versinthe? Abisinthe 72? Fire? Thujone?!

Sigh.

The absinthe community has fought these battles and general misconceptions for a long time and I’m surprised to see them still being rambled about.

Also at #34: From what I know Canada has some mighty strict thujone limits–far tighter than the US.
Takuan

http://www.absintheoriginals.com/images/Absinthe-Parisienne.jpg
Anonymous

I danced with the green fairy years ago. It was smuggled from Switzerland. Tasted like Yager. We were told it was Yager mixed with opium. We were stupid college kis with stupid friends. I honeslty don’t remember much of what happened. I was young….didn’t know any better than to shoot it straight. Didn’t hallucinate, but boy it was different!!! Only had 1 shot. Felt like I was in another world! Felt GREAT! I’m now on a quest to find the fairy again!!
Anonymous

Please folks, just head to the Wormwood Society and educate yourselves. I know this is a mysterious and long forgotten beverage, but there is no longer any need for speculation or conjecture.

http://www.wormwoodsociety.org
Hamish MacDonald

The green fairy makes me happy, that’s all I know.

I thought “absinthism” was what families had the coroner put on the death certificate when they were too ashamed to have it read “syphilis”.