Top 25 Best Absinthe Brands, Producers and Stores
ABSINTHE is historically described as a distilled, highly alcoholic (45–74% ABV / 90-148 proof) beverage. It is an anise-flavoured spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium (a.k.a. "grand wormwood"), together with green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal and culinary herbs. Absinthe traditionally has a natural green colour but may also be colourless. It is commonly referred to in historical literature as "la fée verte" (the green fairy). Although it is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a liqueur, absinthe is not traditionally bottled with added sugar; it is therefore classified as a spirit. Absinthe is traditionally bottled at a high level of alcohol by volume, but it is normally diluted with water prior to being consumed.
Absinthe originated in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland in the late 18th century. It rose to great popularity as an alcoholic drink in late 19th - and early 20th-century France, particularly among Parisian artists and writers. Owing in part to its association with bohemian culture, the consumption of absinthe was opposed by social conservatives and prohibitionists. Ernest Hemingway, Charles Baudelaire, Paul Verlaine, Arthur Rimbaud, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Amedeo Modigliani, Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, Aleister Crowley, Erik Satie, and Alfred Jarry were all known absinthe drinkers.
Absinthe has often been portrayed as a dangerously addictive psychoactive drug. The chemical compound thujone, although present in the spirit in only trace amounts, was blamed for its alleged harmful effects. By 1915, absinthe had been banned in the United States and in much of Europe, including France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria-Hungary. Although absinthe was vilified, it has not been demonstrated to be any more dangerous than ordinary spirits. Recent studies have shown that the absinthe's psychoactive properties (apart from that of the alcohol) have been exaggerated. A revival of absinthe began in the 1990s, following the adoption of modern European Union food and beverage laws that removed longstanding barriers to its production and sale. By the early 21st century, nearly 200 brands of absinthe were being produced in a dozen countries, most notably in France, Switzerland, Australia, USA, Spain, and the Czech Republic.
Absinthe News, Reviews & Resources
- ABSINTH.COM - online store.
- ABSINTHE-SUISSE - online store.
- ALANDIA - "Our Absinthe store was established in 2001, right after the re-legalization of Absinthe. From this date on we are proudly serving the Absinthe Community worldwide."
- BLANCHE TRADITIONELLE - "Serving the Absinthe Community Since 2002."
- Craft Distillers - since 2003.
- Distillerie Artemisia-Bugnon - since 2004.
- Duplais Swiss Verte Absinthe - "Duplais Verte was first introduced to the European market in July 2005 and has the distinction of being the first 'verte' (green colored) absinthe to be released in Switzerland since the 1910 ban was lifted in 2005. Duplais' recipe is based directly on the highest quality absinthe 'Suisse' protocols from the important 19th century French distiller's manual: 'Traité des Liqueurs et de la Distillation des Alcools' by P. Duplais - which is where it takes its name."
- JADE LIQUEURS FINE ABSINTHES - "Founded in 2000 by T.A. Breaux, a professional scientist who has dedicated almost two decades of research toward resolving the mysteries and myths associated with absinthe."
- La Clandestine - "The Swiss absinthe." Hand-crafted in the Birthplace of Absinthe.
- Leopold Brothers Absinthe Verte - "First released in 2008. 65% Alc. by Vol. 130 Proof." Our Absinthe Verte is produced following the traditions of 19th Century European master distillers.
- LOGAN FILS - "We ship to all US states, Canada, Europe and most countries around the world."
- Lucid Absinthe SupÉrieure - since 2006. "Lucid is the first genuine absinthe made with real Grande Wormwood to be legally available in the United States in over 95 years."
- Maison Absinthe - since 2002. "The premier online store for all things absinthe. With locations in the United States and France, we are proud to offer the largest selection of absinthe accoutrements on the Internet, including absinthe spoons, absinthe glasses and absinthe fountains. We specialize in reproduction pieces used to drink a traditional absinthe - employing the French and Swiss method (cold water and sugar)."
- Nouvelle Orleans Absinthe Superieure - "Composition - French eau de vie pot distilled and infused with whole botanicals, flowers, and spices and rested for an average of 3 years before bottling. Appearance - Pale lime green with a distinct bluish tint. Taste - Vintage yet slightly avant garde structured palate with mildly bitter floral notes..."
- OTTO LEGLER - "True absinthe with wormwood."
- Pacifique Absinthe Verte SupÉrieure - "An Authentic 19th Century Traditional Absinthe."
- PERNOD ABSINTHE - "Pernod created the first commercial absinthe distillery in France in !805."
- REDUX ABSINTHE - "A well-made absinthe from Colorado's Golden Moon distillery, inspired by the distiller's years of research on the contentious spirit."
- ST. GEORGE ABSINTHE VERTE - "The first legal American absinthe released after the U.S. ban was lifted in 2007, St. George Absinthe Verte remains one of the most acclaimed and respected spirits in this category."
- Tempus Fugit Spirits - since 2001. "World's finest absinthes."
- Tenneyson Absinthe Royale - released in 2011, Tenneyson Absinthe Royalis distilled at the historic Distillerie Les Fils d'Emile Pernot just outside of Pontarlier, France.
- VERSINTHE LA BLANCHE - "Versinthe La Blanche has a crystal-clear color. As the thujone content (according to the manufacturer) is a very high 30 mg/kg, it is categorized as a "bitter spirit".
- Vieux CarrÉ Absinthe SupÉrieure - "Philadelphia Distilling pays tribute to the unique and colorful history of Absinthe in New Orleans with the release of Vieux Carré Absinthe Supérieure."
- Vieux Pontarlier - "This is a truly terroir driven absinthe. It is a beautiful, expressive and unique one. Far from just the typical syrupy, licorice driven artificial green food colored absinthes out there. This one is a real beauty and uniquely refreshing. Vieux Pontarlier, at it's heart, is a small batch absinthe utilizing 100 year old alembic stills, and 19th century techniques along with regionally grown exceptional wormwood to produce as historically accurate a French absinthe as you can get!"
- Vilya Spirits Extrait d'Absinthe Verte - Green Absinthe, 750ml.
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