any Absinthe drinkers here?

[Dukkha]

ah, the Green Faerie

I had some a few years back and was thinking about getting some. I remember it had a bitter taste from the wormwood. I didn't use the sugar cube/spoon technique at that time. I've been researching it and it's actually legal to posses it in the US for personal use. It can even be ordered online straight from the Czech Republic and shipped through customs.

http://www.absinthe.bz/

[ZombieNixon]

1. I'm going to Canada in two weeks.

Absinthe is one of the goals of the trip.

[tuvor]

16. Are you going to BC?

This link might prove useful. Click on a region, and you can zero in where to find it. Unfortunately, only one brand seems to be available (ABSINTHE STRONG - GREEN TREE DISTILLERY).

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/611152

[EstimatedProphet]

19. Absinthe isn't generally available in Canada

At least it wasn't a couple years ago. I was looking for some, and the liquor stores said it wasn't legal.

[Puglover]

2. No, but I've always been curious to try it.

I'd only want the good stuff of course. :evilgrin:

[Ramsey]

3. Missed my chance

When I was in Prague a few years ago. I meant to try some, but never did. :-(

[tigereye]

4. there was a fascinating article about this

in the New Yorker a few months ago.... there was an American guy in France who was making it the old-fashioned way using some original aparatus. The article exploded a few of the myths and sterotypes about it.

[swimboy]

5. I had some american legal and I wasn't impressed.

It wasn't terrible, but not at all transcendant or special.

[Taverner]

6. I am - Get Pernod, La Fee or Fruko Shulz if you can

Each very different, but all fun

[arwalden]

7. Yep.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

8. Don't get the Czech stuff!

It's swill. Really absinthe also won't have the herbs just laying in the bottom of the bottle. La Fee is okay. Currently, I have some Le Phenix. I find it stronger than the LaFee even though it has half the alcohol content. At the very least, buy French. If you can afford it, go with Spain or Swiss. There's a website (you can google the link) that pretty much rates all of them and has forums and such. It is the true encyclopedia of absinthe.

[Taverner]

9. Bite your tongue!

There are some very good Czech Absinthes!

They're just very different than their Western counterparts.

Western Euro Absinthes are sweeter, smoother, turn opaque when you add ice and have less thujone (wormwood.)

Eastern Euro Absinthes are more bitter, harsher, stay clear when you add ice and have much more thujone.

Why would you want bitter and harsh? It's an acquired taste, and one I picked up. Kind of like really strong coffee, or filterless cigs.

[Dukkha]

11. good to know

I'm not really interested in the modern sweeter concoctions. I want to get as close to the classic recipe on the 1800's that Vincent Van Gogh would drink. I'll search for those types you mentioned too.

[Taverner]

12. If you're gonna go Czech

Check out LaBoheme and Fruko Shulz. LaBoheme is probably closest to the original style.

[tainted_chimp]

10. Yes

I'm a La Fee girl.
I ordered mine online, received it only 2 days later!

One recommendation, don't mix with other booze. I learned the hard way...had a La Fee night-cap after already imbibing wine before hand.
Ugh!

[CatholicEdHead]

13. I saw the ad for the stuff in the latest Progressive issue

I am more of a beer drinker than hard liquor drinker.

[KamaAina]

14. Intriguing that the stuff seems to be making a comeback just now...

In the late 19th century, absinthe was closely associated with (drum roll, please) New Orleans.



Could its newfound popularity be a way for the city's unquiet dead to possess our minds? (Let's hope so! :evilgrin: )

[crispini]

15. I've only had it a couple of times, but I loved it.

Unique combination of being drunk and focused. A very useful state.

[sendero]

17. Is there any such thing..

... as getting this stuff without sugar?

I've been wanting to give this stuff a go for years, didn't know you could order it from overseas - but I cannot eat/drink sugar, at all.... :(

[Vidar]

18. Tried it once. Was ok.

[EstimatedProphet]

20. Me likey the absinthe

I have a small part of a bottle of Verte de Fougerolles 72. Believe it or not it is excellent in egg nog!