Jade N-O and Clandestine on the Way

Viridian Spirits, of Lucid fame, have announced that they are bringing T.A. Breaux's Jade Nouvelle-Orléans and Claude-Alain Bugnon's La Clandestine to the U.S.!

Prices of $110 and $80 seem fair (given current exchange rates, [grumble grumble]) for two of the finest absinthes available-- Nouvelle-Orléans is my favorite Jade, and La Clandestine is a much fresher and more complex Swiss blanche than Kubler.
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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.

Good Absinthe Info for the Public

Following its article yesterday about St. George Spirits Absinthe Verte, the San Francisco Chronicle posted an "All About Absinthe" Q+A section and an AP Interactive graphic with a voice-over by Ted Breaux. I don't dig the skull motif, but they didn't ask me.

As always, many questions and answers can be found at the two premier absinthe FAQ's online, at La Fée Verte and The Wormwood Society.

Crapsinthe, or "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them"

Part of what this blog is about is trying to draw a line between real absinthe and, for lack of a better term, crapsinthe-- absinthe made without regard to its history, marketed with a pack of falsehoods either through ignorance or deceit.

Czech "absinth" and "absynth," sold with untested thujone claims, are so foul, it's no wonder they do a fire show and a shot to distract from the taste. Claims of crazy times make sense-- shots of warm, high proof alcohol go straight to the head, making for a surreal drunk buzz.

The commercial crapsinthe folks have been more active lately, setting up spam sites for search results, making false statements and claims and leveling false accusations against real absintheurs in their shill blogs and forum postings. I wonder if just one person is posting and selling the same fluorescent mouthwash under a dozen brand names...

It all comes out in the end, it seems, if absinthe's recent press coverage is an indicator-- any decent reporter figures out early on the flawed logic of the crapsinthe peddlers and pays them no attention.

Update: It might seem that the czechabsinthe blog hosts some interesting conversations, but many comments have been censored. One censored comment was a reply by T.A. Breaux which Alan spotted and saved before it was removed by the host.

Wired on Lucid Absinthe: "Barely Legal"

The Lucid media machine keeps rolling forward, with Wired publishing an article today comparing Lucid to Jade Liquor's Verte Suisse as well as Absente and two Czech brands. The always, uh, lucid Ted Breaux explains some history and chemistry, making sure to take a swipe at the foul Czech products which consistently misrepresent both.

Though retailers sold out of their first cases quickly, drinkupny.com (free shipping ftw!) accepts pre-orders of Lucid, expecting to receive their next shipment in the last week of July. You can find a list of other vendors along with bars, restaurants, and clubs serving Lucid at DrinkLucid.com.

Update: Got my Lucid... and I like it! Tastes like a Jade but with less flavor, very balanced recipe... much better than I'd expected!

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...

Lucid Absinthe Supérieure... for the U.S. market?!

Somehow, Viridian Spirits of Manhasset, N.Y. has managed to get US approval for what appears to be an actual "absinthe" with apparently significant consulation with Mr. Ted Breaux. The New York Times reported this last week (Times Select) (Lucid article pdf) and while I haven't had time to do much research and the marketing sort of rubs me the wrong way (unlike, for instance, the Jade designs), I'd like to hear more about how it tastes; one account here by Darko is pretty complimentary. Still scratching my head...

Update: Donnie Darko posted the first official Lucid review on the Fee Verte Forums, scoring it 80/100.

Modern Marvels covers Absinthe

The Discovery Channel replayed the Modern Marvels "Distilleries 2" episode a few days ago, covering whisk(e)ys, tequila, and a few other spirits, including a nice segment on absinthe. Lots of footage of Mr. Breaux-- Jade Liqueurs PR is doing a great job of getting the ambassador in front of the cameras. Watch it on YouTube.

Ted Breaux ~ Restaurant Guys interview (Aug. 2)

This interview with Ted Breaux is posted at The Restaurant Guys, via the Fee Verte Forums.

Interesting mention of Tuthilltown Spirits distillery producing a cider vodka. Is that a Bavarian-Holstein still?

Update: Nope, the still is by Christian Carl.

The newest Jade: "PF 1901"

The target was matching pre-ban, pre-fire Pernod Fils absinthe, and I'm predisposed to believe Ted Breaux's superlative claims:

Those who have been fortunate enough to have been able to taste these and have also tasted the pre-release Jade PF 1901, are unanimous in their remarks as to the striking similarities between the vintage bottles and the Jade clone.

Please: don't order any (before I do)...

A case of Edouard

Sweet party last night at Brickyard in Boston-- all of Ted Breaux' varieties, and a few others. To get enough, employees ordered max qty for weeks... and there's lots left. They're going to win awards for work they do on the 'sinthe; not sure if they understand that... First class party with glasses, spoons, and even two fountains. The Edouard clearly contains Artemisia pontica in the seasoning herbs-- damn that Ted Breaux!

MANY thanks to the hosts for their warm hospitality!

Times-Picayune Article

New Orleans Times-Picayune: "ABSINTHE MINDED" (July 21, 2006): some background before Ted Breaux' discussion and tasting in the Tales of the Cocktail festival.

Ted Breaux on G4 TV

The ambassador is at it again:
http://www.g4tv.com/videos/index.html?video_key=10447

Liquers de France

Liquers de France sells the best absinthes available, including Ted Breaux' Jade absinthes.