Pernod Absinthe Returns After 93 Years
Back in March my colleague Deidre Woollard wrote about the absinthe craze ushered in by the end of a longstanding ban against the supposedly dangerous spirit. The hype has died down somewhat, and while faddists move on to other obsessions leaving true enthusiasts to enjoy themselves, the original absinthe maker, Pernod, has finally re-introduced their famous original. Pernod Absinthe (right) is a revival of Pernod Fils, arguably the most authentic absinthe ever produced with a recipe that's over 200 years old. The company stopped making it in 1915 when the French government banned absinthe, later coming out with a wormwood-free version. The original is a high-proof sprit distilled from Grand Wormwood, fennel and anise - exactly the same as consumed by the likes of Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and now, us.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Ken Oct 26th 2008 7:30AM
thats awesome! so where can this be purchased online? the Pernod website did not seem to sell their product and other websites have Pernod absinthe products, but I'm not sure if they match the one you mention in your article completely
JPS Oct 26th 2008 9:24AM
Here's one place offering it for sale online. Yo do have to be careful when ordering, because the regular Pernod and Pernod Absinthe bottles are extremely similar, so make sure you're getting the right one.
http://www.drinkupny.com/Pernod_aux_Plantes_d_Absinthe_Superieure_p/s0621.htm
Bullpup95 Oct 26th 2008 11:23AM
Hope everyone looked at Betty's response. The original formula for Absinthe is still ILLEGAL in the US. Just a warning!!!
Alex Oct 26th 2008 11:11PM
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Phillip Oct 27th 2008 12:53AM
Dear Bullpup95-
Actually, Betty is wrong. I have bought Absinthe at the Absinthe House in New Orleans. It gives a strange high, but it ain't illegal.
-Phillip
Dave Oct 26th 2008 8:19AM
Gimme,Gimme,Gimme; I could use a good belt.
bettty Oct 26th 2008 8:25AM
The article is a bit misleading. Absinthe has been illegal in Europe and the U.S. since about 1915. The "return" in the title of the article refers to the fact that it is no longer illegal to produce (or purchase) in Europe; however, it is STILL illegal in the U.S., even to IMPORT. If you purchase absinthe on the internet, it will (obviously) have to be sent through the U.S. postal service or an express courier (FedEx, DHL). All international mail is subject to search and SEIZURE upon import by U.S. Customs and this is one of the more commonly seized items in international postal facilities. It's not unlike small amounts of narcotics or marijuana. You could purchase and use all you want in foreign countries with no restrictions; however, once you try to bring them into the U.S., you've broken the law, it will be seized, you will have lost your money and you as the "importer" will most likely have a "record".
Eric Oct 26th 2008 12:14PM
Not true, absinthe has been made legal again this past year for sale and manufacture in the United States. I saw three different brands for sale at one liquor store, and a local bar had a night celebrating its return. I'm sure if the stuff was still illegal, there would not be such public displays of absinthe.
Solitude Oct 26th 2008 9:29AM
Betty,
Obviously you did not read the article very in depth. It said the wormwood free version is available.
Which has been legal in U.S. since Oct. 2007.
A company has been making and selling in U.S. since then "Lucid". It is a low Thujone version that is approved world wide for sale and distribution.
Benjamin Oct 26th 2008 8:49AM
sorry to disappoint you betty, but the hype is because it is no longer illegal in the united states... Anyone can walk into their local liquor store and buy a bottle... Cost is about $150... One of the bars in my area has it and sells it by the shot ($15.00) but trust me, its worth it since you only need one or two of them for the whole night long!
Shandra Oct 26th 2008 9:29AM
Absinthe is back and available in the US! I had some in a well known restaurant in Phoenix, last April. Gave me an awful stomach ache after a few sips! Certainly not the aphrodesiac it's legend claims!
Chaz Oct 26th 2008 10:00AM
Not true. It is now legal to produce and buy in this country.
John Oct 26th 2008 11:05AM
HOWEVER ... you CAN buy "Absinthe" around the U.S.A. but, again, it's not true Absinthe as it is, again, wormwood-free. This ingredient makes me very curious. There are recipies all over the internet but where does one get wormwood? Perhaps it would make what I've tasted taste better ... or perhaps that's the ingredient which introduces you to the fabled "green ferry?"
carl Oct 26th 2008 11:34AM
actually you can obtain it in the usa you just cannot make it in the usa .
Dave Dworkin Oct 27th 2008 12:08AM
Absinthe is now legal in the US and I just saw it at Costco in Minneapolis. I had it in Mexico last year and it's about as tasty as licorice cough syrup. Yecch.
msw Oct 26th 2008 11:47PM
absenth has been legal in the state of Virginia since the summer of 2008. Though from my understanding it's not the same as in europe. It's missing the wormwood
Paul Oct 27th 2008 4:14PM
the stuff is now legal in the states... a company in Alameda Ca. makes a wonderfull brew...and more every year...
mike Nov 11th 2008 11:27PM
I have a bottle of LaFee absinthe in my bar right now. It can be ordered from eabsinthe.com. Between myself and friends we have ordered at least 20 bottles over the past 5 years with no problems ever. there is a limit of 2 bottles per order so selling it isnt an option and I recommend getting the 2 because shipping is 20 british pounds for one or two bottles. When drinking it use the french method but equal parts liquor and water. It has a very strong black licorice taste, and a very good buzz. Drinking it straight isnt as good as mixing it with ice water and sugar cubes. It is expensive with the exchange rate about the price of Dom Perignon. Just to let people know from my experience.
Modicar Oct 26th 2008 8:32AM
I run liquor stores in NW Florida. Pernod, Lucid, and Mansinth (by Marilyn Manson) are all available in Florida. Just check the websites and look for distributor links and see if your state it listed. As far as the effects of Absinthe, if you do 3 or more shots of any liquor that is 110 proof or more you will see green fairies, blue moons, pink stars, etc! The addition of Grand Wormwood is only one of over 50 botanicals that are included in most absinthe recipes. The old hype of "experiences" is drastically overrated but stop by my store, I would love to sell you and 80-90$ of liquor, I need to fill my gas tank!
Mamachan Oct 26th 2008 4:16PM
Modicar,
Do you run Cash's liquor stores?