Science!!

Top absinthe experts have finally put their money and lab equipment (and vintage absinthe) where their mouths are, publishing a paper to back up what they've been saying for years: that absinthe didn't (and doesn't) have very much thujone in it, far less than the badly estimated 260mg/l figure that so many idiots people still cling to.

More opinions to come, but I didn't want to post before reading the study in its entirety. The paper is convincing as far as its results are concerned, though I worry it may only stoke the fires of conspiracy theorists and other internet douchebags.

U.S. TTB Absinthe Label Approvals

Oxy psoted a great link to a Lehrman Beverage Law PLCC page listing details on U.S.-legal absinthe, including a listing of TTB-approved absinthe labels-- might have to stop rooting for everybody if there are going to be this many entrants to the market-- surely many distillers will file papers and turn a few batches just to grab some cash after all the press about St. George...

Absinthe on the Way!

So much happening for absinthe! Lull in posting notwithstanding, more is on the way, but I'll premention:

• Mansinthe,
• Oxy's recent publication: "Systematic Misinformation about Thujone in Pre-ban Absinthe",
• press...,

But for now, "Tree That Owns Itself" (wiki)!

Visit to Combier

Oxy and a few folks stopped by the Combier Distillery in Saumur, checking out the ancient works and visiting with Jade Absinthe creator Ted Breaux. Hopefully more dispatches from the Kallistifest trail to follow...

ABSINTHE LEGAL in the USA

Trying to figure out the impact of Lucid's approval is tough. Hopefully we'll know more after next weekend, as the only coherent information I've found so far is Oxy's summary of the situation on the Fee Verte Forum, linked on his blog and quoted by Alan on his blog and the Wormwood Society Forum.

Searches for government documents on the submission or approval came up with nothing. [Still searching...] Regarding editing the Fee Verte FAQ about absinthe's legality in the US, Oxy writes:

1. Absinthes with less than (approximately) 10mg/l thujone are now potentially legal in the US.
2. Two others (apart from Lucid) have already been approved, and dozens will follow in due course.

Read the rest...

State of the Industry

"Oxygenee" posted "An unsentimental look at the absinthe industry" in the Fée Verte Absinthe Forum-- interesting reading, esp. the replies. I don't understand the pessimistic tone of many of his points; I prefer to see the markets as just starting to bud, and while nobody expects absinthe to regain its original popularity, high quality absinthe will gradually become easier to find and less expensive.

Pontarlier Absinthiades 2006

Coverage of the "Absinthiades" in Pontarlier-- absinthe paraphernalia meet up in Pontarlier, Switzerland and the absinthe blog where it was posted-- "The Wheat of Virgin Spaces," the Oxygenee blog.

Virtual Absinthe Museum

Oxygenee's Virtual Absinthe Museum has some nice photos and links.