Seattle Weekly's Voracious blog this week writes that a new distillery will open in Woodinville later this year, with plans to become one of the only distillers in the country to makes absinthe according to old-fashioned French methods. I'm not certain what all that entails, but the owner of the place, called Pacific Distillery, is growing wormwood (the main ingredient) in his Everett backyard. Absinthe has been portrayed as a mysterious, psychoactive drink - pretty intriguing. I've never tried it. Have you?
Woodinville welcomes the 'green fairy'
Seattle Weekly's Voracious blog this week writes that a new distillery will open in Woodinville later this year, with plans to become one of the only distillers in the country to makes absinthe according to old-fashioned French methods. I'm not certain what all that entails, but the owner of the place, called Pacific Distillery, is growing wormwood (the main ingredient) in his Everett backyard. Absinthe has been portrayed as a mysterious, psychoactive drink - pretty intriguing. I've never tried it. Have you?
Since when did absinthe made with wormwood become legal is the U.S.? It's been banned since 1915 I believe. What they sell at the liquor stores here in the states doesnt contain wormwood. If you want the real stuff take a trip to Canada sometime.
As far as being the only distiller in the country. It would make since that there are no other distillers making absinthe becuase its banned.
It is banned but not illegal. There is one other Absinthe mase with wormwood already being sold in the US (and made in the US) though you mostly find it only on the east coast.
Banned or illegal, I'm still gonna try it! I've always been curious and my friends back home in the Bay Area have been to a distillery there. I hear good things.
I got a bottle at home right now given by a friend from Germany. Absinthe has a dark licorice flavor and a sweet taste. In terms of a psychoactive effect, I'd just stick with shrooms.
Absinthe is now allowed after may 30. It was banned but not illegal. Back in the day, they banned it due to the distillation processes that lead to copper poisoning. They have since fixed that. So it's back in the states with wormwood. It just takes 8 weeks to get here from France. $12 a glass. It's worth it.
Thank you for writing about our new distillery. As you mentioned, we will be making our absinthes according to the old French protocols of Duplais and DeBrevans. These two men were authors of some of the most definitive works regarding the manufacture of liquors, among them absinthe. I am growing much of the wormwood I will be using at my home. As for the one comment regarding absinthes sold in the USA, yes wormwood is allowed, and real absinthe is being made and sold in the USA. Unfortunately much of what being sold now as absinthe is not really absinthe at all. I would suggest that folks go to these links for more accurate information regarding absinthe:
www.wormwoodsociety.org (I am on the board of directors)
and:
www.feeverte.net
Cheers,
Marc
I bought a bottle online from the Czech republic a few years back called Login Fils; it is some strong stuff. I was introduced to this drink by some British soldiers while in Kuwait and learned Vincent Van Gough was a heavy Absinth drinker. I also brought back a bottle into the states from England, Estonia, and have picked one up in Canada as well. I have never had an issue bringin the stuff into the states on a personal level. Oh another brand is called Pernod which is a French brand, but it is more commercial than anything. Login Fils at $200.00 a bottle is the real deal and is a great drink.
Sure, I'd like to try it. Why not? I've paid more for a glass of The Macallan at some nice restaurants, so this is nothing. As far as Pernod: It's weak; When I worked in a restaurant, we had bottles of it that we sautéed prawns in. Made a helluva flame-show. But I'd like to try this out. Just two fingers, please... ** Pulls a "Benny Hill" by spacing his two fingers further apart on the side of the glass **