Monday 9 March 2009

The Real Absinthe Blog goes global!



I am delighted to announce that Brian Robinson, aka Shabba (53?), joins me as co-author on this blog.

Brian and I have several things in common:-

1. We both love absinthe.

2. We have both spent a lot of time over the last two years debating the finer points of real absinthe with some .... "non-believers."

3. We both love rugby, a game that I, as a Brit, have grown up with and that Brian, unusually for an American, took to like a duck to a water. I just hope that other Americans do not take up this sport, one of the few (apart from marbles) that England can sometimes excel at.

Bearing all the above in mind, I am really looking forward to sharing this mission. Brian has a broader exposure to more absinthes than I. He also knows the USA scene far better than I do (yet). We haven't agreed a split of responsibilities here yet, but I feel we'll work together well as a team. Between us, we can cover many more issues, State-side and in Europe and Asia.

Santé, Brian!

16 comments:

The Absinthe Review Network said...

The Dream Team Duo!:)

Cheers!

Alan said...

There's always room for good guest writers too!

Brian Robinson said...

Happy to be here!

Wendell said...

This is very cool, as long as Brian takes some "me-time" for himself! Dude's doing everything... not that I'm complaining, mind you. :)

Looking forward to reading both of your posts!

Brian Robinson said...

What is this 'me time' you speak of? :)

Alan said...

"What is this 'me time' you speak of?"

ME = middle evening, i.e. the 30 minutes rest you get after getting the children to bed/doing the washing up, and then winding down yourself.

From about 9:00 to 9:30.

Make the most of it while it lasts!

Brian Robinson said...

Ah. You meant the time I use to post as much as I can on the forums and do absinthe research! :P

Anonymous said...

...and trash other peoples property (brands) Shouldn't you be out selling mortgages or whatever it is you do? Do you understand what bona fide means? Note the spelling and also think about how should you apply it when making statements about others.

Alan said...

Welcome back, Anonymous.

Re. "and trash other peoples property:" would you like to comment on a certain Czech absinthe (sic) blog which did precisely that, albeit under the cover of anonymity.

Which coincidentally is just the way you post here.

Brian Robinson said...

Anonymous,

I don't arbitrarily bash any single product. I only bash products when they have shown to be deserving of such either through lack of quality or through misleading/false marketing.

If you can find any instance otherwise, feel free to discuss it. But only do so if you sign your post. If you can't man-up to who you are, then we can't waste our time talking to a ghost.

Lastly, my reviews are unbiased, and based on the criteria set forth in the review system, which is based on the profile of proven Bell Epoque style absinthes. If you can give us ANY evidence that can show that there was also Bohemian style absinthe that was mass marketed before the 1980's, then I'd be more than happy to put together a separate review system for them.

However, in the meantime, Bohemian brands have built themselves on the reputation and the history of Franco-Suisse brands. They will be judged the same as well until you can prove they should be judged differently. If that is shown, then they should also separate themselves in their marketing.

Brian Robinson said...

By the way, I don't sell mortgages. Kthxbye.

Wendell said...

"However, in the meantime, Bohemian brands have built themselves on the reputation and the history of Franco-Suisse brands. They will be judged the same as well until you can prove they should be judged differently."

This is such a good way to frame it.

Eyeon WS said...

"and do absinthe research"

Can we see some of that research or are you using the term to mean reading books?

"Tortuous Interference" and “Tortuous Interference with Prospective Advantage” are both good reads. Highly recommended.

Brian Robinson said...

Sorry eye, Tortious interference is defined thusly:
"When false claims and accusations are made against a business or an individual's reputation in order to drive business away."

Can you show me any instance where I've knowingly provided any false information about your product? Oh wait, we don't even know what product we're talking about, because you still haven't identified yourself.

I'm not trying to drive business away. I'm utilizing my right to provide clarification, provide a product review (which shows I'm making an informed opinion), and to point out false advertising. There are legal protections for people doing such things.

By the way, how can you impose a US law upon a product that isn't even legally for sale in the states?

Look up the term 'unclean hands': "Legal principle that a participant in a wrongful act may not recover damages resulting from it (may not sue the other participants in the wrongful act)."

Just a reminder, if you plan to make an inflamatory post, new regulations state that you must provide information about who you are. If not, the post may be edited or removed.

Brian Robinson said...

Research:
1: careful or diligent search
2: studious inquiry or examination ; especially : investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws
3: the collecting of information about a particular subject

RAJAT JAIN (The Glass Guy) said...

@Brian Robinson
It could be coincidence.. Please dnt mind for my below query..
You profile picture is a Clear Stemmed Glass..
Do it has a purpose or anything else.. ? Would appreciate if you please enlighten me with piece of information..

Thanks in Advance..

Rajat Jain, Glass Studio Head
rajatresponsible@gmail.com
sites.google.com/site/rajatresponsible