Pernod Absinthe Returns After 93 Years

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed)
Oct 20th 2008 at 2:02PM

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.

Tags: Absinthe, France, Monet, Pernod, Picasso

Filed under: Spirits

Subscribe to these comments

Reader Comments (Page 4 of 6)

Robert Oct 28th 2008 8:17AM

Are you a Pailin supported with that "Thanks, but no thanks" comment?

Ralph Oct 26th 2008 9:03PM

PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH THIS STUFF!!! The amount to ingest for a LETHAL OVERDOSE on this stuff is much lower than any alcohol I've ever had. It's not about the strength, it's the properties of it. I had a few sips of Absinthe many years ago at a party. It had been smuggled into the US by a friend returning from vacation. In my opinion, it imparts a 'dirty' chemical-like feeling, not a clean-alcohol vibe. Now, I must say that I'm definitely NOT alcohol-intolerant. I've been drinking moderate amounts of alcohol just about every day for the last 35 years, but I must say that this stuff is in another dimension...

Tom Oct 26th 2008 8:51PM

Had a drink in New Orleans at the Old Absinthe House, bought a bottle the next day in the Quarter.Nothing illegal about it.

Jeff Oct 26th 2008 9:06PM

The only alcoholic drink I consume. I have been drinking it for decades. I don't think it has effected me yet. Then again, crazy people never know when their crazy.

am Oct 26th 2008 9:14PM

mmmmm...delicious in cupcakes

athos1650 Oct 26th 2008 9:15PM

Wow! Read a lot about it, must try it!!! Live in Miami, know anywhere where they sell it by the bottle...the reall thing, not a substitute.

Pheny La La Nine Oct 26th 2008 9:30PM

So .. this WORMWOOD ... is this, like, WOOD ALcohol? Does this stuff contain Methanol!!!????

Mike Bryant Oct 26th 2008 9:42PM

Just drink Crown Royal, 7UP with a Twist of Lime and enjoy....If the female or male you are with is so ungly that you hope a Magic potion will help, get a life!!!!

SHANNON Oct 26th 2008 9:44PM

I'VE TRIED THIS STUFF AND HATED IT! ALL IT DID WAS GIVE ME A HEADACHE. IT DOESNT TASTE VERY GOOD EITHER.

Tom B Oct 26th 2008 9:53PM

I just read all the preceeding comments on Absinthe. I'm planning on going to Canada next month. Is it possable to get the "real thing" in Canada? yes, I know I cant bring it back into the US BUT can I get the real thing there? What should I look look for on the label to be sure i am getting the good, authentic stuff?

Tom B Oct 26th 2008 10:00PM

Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker . . . .especially Absinthe.

tony Oct 26th 2008 10:04PM

Shandra said...
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

+++++you didnt have it prepared correctly then+++++

Richard Oct 26th 2008 10:04PM

If I bottled horse piss in a bottle and advertised it as expensive, rare and against the law, I couldn't keep up with the sales demand.

Michael Oct 26th 2008 10:57PM

I have a couple questions regarding the sugar. Is there a preferred type, or a brand that I should use? Perhaps a pure cane sugar? Will the sugar lump be completely dissolved after the pour (louche), or will some still reamain on the spoon?

DAN K Oct 26th 2008 10:12PM

Oh, screw it, just gimme a bourbon and Squirt

Denise Oct 26th 2008 10:15PM

Wormwood is a derivative of Artemisia, a plant commonly grown to be used in dried arrangements. Wormwood has been known to cause insanity and cancer. Go right ahead and kill yourself. I'll stick to Southern Comfort.

ashleigh Oct 26th 2008 10:36PM

Is Absinthe like Oozo, the licorice liquor?

Spiritusa2008 Oct 26th 2008 10:40PM

Ahhhh, now I know why Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh were such terrible painters ... LOL

Aryn Oct 26th 2008 10:51PM

Lol..Everything causes cancer, even breathing. If wormwood was poisonous, my goats would be long dead. I use a herbal wormer that contains..horror of horrors wormwood. Now, pure wormwood oil, is poisonous, but with proper dosages, poses little problem.