Absynthe Drinkers: What's your favorite?

[absyntheNsugar]

I've only had the Czech stuff (Laboheme, Shulz, Pilsner-lor) but just ordered a bottle of some Spannish Abesnta. I'm told theyre stuff holds up well, and has a nice high Wormood content. I was tempted to get some La Fee from France, but the price scared me off.

Anyone have any favorites?

[littlejoe]

1. Excuse me, but what is Absynthe?

[absyntheNsugar]

3. Hmmmm how to sum this up quickly

Abysnthe is a greenish drink that was enjoyed in Europe during the 1800's. Van Gogh, Manet, Degas all were avid drinkers of the stuff. It's made from distilling herbs (the main ones are Anise and Wormwood) and usually has a high alchohol content (around 70%). It's produced all over Europe, but is illegal to sell in the US. You may posess, and you may imbibe, and you may buy, but you cannot sell it. As a restult there are a lot of internet companies willing to sell to American Customers.

The main thing distinguishing it from other alchoholic drinks is the herb wormwood, which - when distilled - produces a chemical known as Thujone. Thujone is mildly hallucinogenic and it's effect could be described as similar to marijuanas, but not as strong. It was said that the stuff would drive one crazy, but medical research showed it was the alchohol that led those to madness, not the wormwood. Having said that, wormwood in high doses is toxic and it is a neurotoxin. Like all things, moderation...moderation.

Whew!

[Maddy McCall]

5. most absinthes have only barely detectable amounts of thujone

and you would die of alcohol poisoning before you felt the effects of these negligible traces of the toxin.

[absyntheNsugar]

6. I assume you're talking about American Absynthes

Which do have very low amounts. The European Variety have high enough amounts that you can actually taste the wormwood (it's bitter like a neurotoxin should)

[Maddy McCall]

8. The USDA and FDA ban the importation of absynthe containing wormwood.

Have since the 1950s.

[absyntheNsugar]

10. Sort of... its a very strange application of the law

There's a loophole that European Distributors are taking advantage of, so when you order Absynthe from Europe its the real thing.

[Maddy McCall]

17. What loophole?

I had always assumed it was just illegal importation.

[Exultant Democracy]

20. It isn't legal, but it also isn't illegal right now.

I wouldn't want to have it shipped to my. Usually I just wait for a friend to go to Europe and pick up as much as he/she can.

[littlejoe]

7. So then it tastes a little like licorice?

[absyntheNsugar]

11. Sort of....

Hard to explain...this may sound strange but it also tastes a little medicinal.

You serve it with sugar and water, sifted through an absynthe spoon.

[mmm]

14. Yes. And it has a wonderful aqua-marine color.

Using your absinthe spoon, you dip a sugar cube into the absinthe, caramelize the mixture over a flame, and add it back - giving your glass of absinthe a milky marine hue. Like lighting and smoking
a Cuban cigar, there is a wonderful tradition of style
involved.

[CanuckAmok]

2. I've only ever had "Hill's"

It's around CDN$80 for 40oz or so. It's available everywhere here. There are even a few lounges who offer it by the glass.

[absyntheNsugar]

4. YEah I wish I could find a reseller in Canada who would ship to the US

The postage from the EU is what kills you!

[kalian]

9. What websites do you order from?

I'm quite curious to try absynthe.

[absyntheNsugar]

12. La Boheme is the cheapest place for Czech stuff

It can be found at ---->>> http://www.laboheme.uk.com/

For the Spanish Absynthe, you can order it from ----> http://www.spiritscorner.com/ing/


I have no idea how good or quick the Spanish stuff is, I just ordered from them for the first time today. La Boheme is good, even though it takes 10+ days to get it :(

[Blue-Jay]

13. hmmm. Maybe I'll try some.

Always looking for a good new drink. It won't make me wake up naked in the neighbors lawn, will it?

[absyntheNsugar]

15. It just might...

I have a coworker from the UK who swore off the stuff because the last time he drunk it he woke up with a shaved head and shaved eyebrows, as well as his flat mates.

[kalian]

18. Cool! Thanks for the links.

:toast:

[mmm]

16. Oscar Wilde loved the stuff.

Oscar Wilde once said: "The first stage is like ordinary drinking, the second when you begin to see monstrous and cruel things. But if you can persevere you will enter in upon the third stage where you see things that you want to see - wonderful, curious things."

[kalian]

19. So the key is getting beyond the monsters....

:evilgrin:
Cool...

[jpak]

21. I consumed both absythe and cannibis in an unnamed country years ago

talk about fucked up!!!

Yikes!!