A friend bought a bottle of absinthe at the liquor store.

[Swede]

I thought the green fairy was illegal. I've never tasted wormwood before,but I'm gonna.

[yankeeinlouisiana]

1. Well, here's to your health!!

You might need it. :-)

[mr_hat]

2. He bought a bottle of Abstinence(R). Zero percent alcohol.

[Swede]

4. No it was Hill's Absinthe 40 proof.

It said 1.5ppm wormwood.

[Taverner]

5. Really?

Wow....it is technically illegal to sell...they do sell stuff in the US called Absynthe (Pernod is one of the brands) but it has 0% wormwood in it.

[Swede]

6. Oh,I didn't mention,I'm in Canada.

But I didn't know this was legal here either.

[Taverner]

9. Oh ok - that explains it

It's legal everywhere EXCEPT the US.

Enjoy!

[Carni]

8. I have tried in vain to even buy pernod

I have looked for it to make Oysters Rock and can never find it here for some reason!

I ask for Pernod at the party stores and they look at me like I am from another planet--are there brand names for it?

[iconoclastic cat]

3. It's fairly easy to brew yourself.

It can be pretty decent, if done correctly. I've had both delicious and crappy absinthe.

[Carni]

7. Can someone clue me in about absinthe?

I have heard it's illegal and all that but what exactly is the deal with it?

Why is it illegal and what makes it any different from any other liquor?

Is the buzz better lol? (seriously)

What's the attraction?

Signed,

Confused out of the loop and nosy

[hippiechick]

10. I think the wormwood makes it a psychedelic

:shrug:

[Carni]

11. Ah! That would explain it then!

Thanks.

The only thing I knew about wormwood is that I have seen furniture made out of it lol

[Kali]

14. from the site I mention elsewhere

http://www.feeverte.net/faq-absinthe.html#B10

this is a regulatory matter, rather than a legal one. There is no criminal statute banning absinthe in the U.S. It is prohibited because FDA Regulations prohibit using wormwood (A. absinthium) as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages. In order to change this regulation, it would require that petitioning the FDA for such a change, and paying for all the research and scientific trials necessary to prove that wormwood is in fact safe. The cost of this process is considerable, and can take many years. The potential market for absinthe in the U.S. is too small to motivate any company foot the bill.

[Elidor]

12. I actually have some Wormwood resin

Supposedly you smoke it, like pot. It came as a free gift with an order of calea zacatechichi. I'll have to get pretty hard up before I use it, though.

Trivia: The russian word for Wormwood is Chernobyl.

[Kali]

13. Its kind of different - but more subtle than the hype

would have you believe.

"uality absinthe, properly distilled, does have a different effect over and above the results of alcohol, though at up to 70%, the effects of the alcohol alone can be considerable. Absinthe's effects, despite popular conception, are not due to the wormwood (Artemisia Absinthia) alone. Absinthe's constituents consist of a very delicate balance of various herbs, most of which contribute in one way or another to its intoxicating effects. Ted Breaux once explained it that it is a push-me, pull-you effect of the various herbs, as some are of an heightening effect, and others are lowering. The effect on the individual is subjective, and can best be described as a kind of heightened clarity of mind and vision, mildly ponderous and sparkling, and warmed by the effect of the alcohol. This seems to wear off after 20 or 30 minutes, leaving one with an alcohol buzz. 2-3 glasses seems to do the trick. More than that, depending on the proof of the alcohol, will just make you very drunk."

from http://www.gumbopages.com/food/beverages/absinthe.html


this is a good site: http://www.feeverte.net/