The Absinthe Thread

A couple of years ago, when Lucid was making a big marketing splash, I resolved to get some. Back then, it was pretty expensive and hard to get. When I finally did get a bottle, it was for a friend’s birthday present, and I never did drink any from that bottle.

Since then, I guess somewhere on the order of 100 different absinthes have become available in the US (http://realabsinthe.blogspot.com/2008/07/list-of-absinthes-approved-for-us.html)

Earlier this year, I finally got my first bottle of Lucid. I loved it.

Now that I have a little more bank, I resolved (during my recent office move) to try every absinthe I could. I’m up to 8, now, and I’ve one more to try before I need to find another liquor store with more options (or devolve into mail-order).

Here’s my collection:

From left to right,
Absente (55% ABV)
Pernod (68% ABV)
Lucid (62% ABV)
Mansinthe (66.6% ABV)
Kubler (53% ABV)
Grande Absente (68% ABV)
Mephisto (65% ABV)
Parnasse (50% ABV)

There are a lot of myths, distortions, and outright lies about absinthe. Absinthe has spawned all sorts of inventive devices to aid with its consumption. And, every brand of absinthe seems to be unique from all others. These attributes make it a ripe subject for Bullshido. I dedicate this thread to the drinking and discussion of absinthe.

To get you started on your journey, I think the best is the Lucid gift set; it includes 2 cheap glasses, a spoon, and 750ml of green love. These are usually available around Christmas in large chain liquor stores. The stores in my neck of the woods typically do not charge more for the gift set.

The glasses are key, because they have bubbles at the bottom which allow you to make a pretty good mix without needing shot glasses or other measuring devices. Other starter options are Absente (now with wormwood) and Grande Absente, which both typically come with a spoon. The spoon is also a key device for proper enjoyment, a large, perforated contraption.

Quality-wise, I find $60 is a pretty good demarcation. What’s funny is that Absente (now with wormwood) can be found on both sides of that demarcation - I’ve paid as little as $35 for it, and it’s very drinkable for newcomers.

The traditional way to prepare absinthe is best summed up on this page: http://www.oxygenee.com/absinthe-drink/ritual1.html

Oxygenee is a great site, by the way, I recommend you spend a few hours there if you’re looking for total absinthe immersion.

Well, I have a lot more to contribute on the subject, but I don’t want to write the whole thread in one post.

Tonight, I’m drinking the Parnasse.

It is very sweet, I suspect a lot of added sugar. I’ve found the comfortable range to be a 1:3.5-1:4 ratio with no sugar cube. It’s also got a lot of added color, so rather than a natural chlorophyll green, it’s a neon sign. Reminds me of Midori.

It does louche quickly and completely, probably because I just dump water into it for a quick drunk rather than partake in the appropriate ritual. It’s not a ritual-worthy drink, it’s more like smoking tea because you’re out of cigarettes.

The flavor is not at all complex, but it is not unpleasant. Anise is the prevalent taste. The alcohol is completely masked by the sugar and the anise. There is an oily after-residue that seems to demand either another glass or a visit to the dental hygienist. I guess I’ll make another glass, now.

I’ve never actually tried Absinthe, anyone want to attempt to explain what it tastes like?