Coming soon .. ready-to-drink absinthe

Whether you're a bartender or a consumer, we've been listening to what you say.

Bartenders think that the absinthe ritual can be a nuisance when a bar is really busy. They have to get a fountain ready with chilled water, pour a measure of absinthe in a glass, maybe put a spoon with a sugar lump on the glass, position it correctly and drip the water. And then they have to wait to make sure the glass doesn't overflow!

Consumers can be unsure of how much water to add, whether or not to use sugar, and sometimes they just don't want to wait for their drink!

Absinthe lovers in the 19th century had the same problems. After a busy day painting (and, by the way, ingesting all those toxic paint fumes), Van Gogh really didn't want to wait for his drink. Indeed it is possible that waiting drove him mad. Literally.

We've seen ready-to-drink "absinthe" in various countries around the world. Notably in Russia:

Up to now, ready-to-drink "absinthe" has tended to be low quality, and didn't communicate all the fun we think consumers look for in this type of drink. And then we saw the picture at the top of this blog. We posted it in the social media and were amazed at the response:

A high quality ready-to-drink absinthe has to communicate fun and enjoyment. So we decided to call it ...

Absinthe on the Gogh

We hasten to add that this is the not final pack design, and we need to do some more research. Which is why we are posting this so we can ask you, whether you are a bartender or an absinthe lover a few questions. Please answer in the comments below.

What is better in a bar? A can or a bottle?
What is better for home use, or indeed for picnics, etc?
What size? The can above is 250 ml, but maybe that is a bit big. Adding 3 parts of water to one US measure (1.5 fl oz) comes to 176 ml.
If a ready-to-drink is allowed to rest for a while, you will need to shake before serving. Shake the drink, not yourself (although if you shake yourself while holding a closed drink, that might work). A see-through bottle may not look too appetising if the contents have separated, so is an opaque bottle OK?
Do you like the name "Absinthe On the Gogh" which reverses the pun in the picture at the top? Absinthe To Gogh wouldn't work in bars: bartenders don't want their customers to go!
Do you have any other comments or questions? Any other names?

There is one issue we know about with this name. In England, Van Gogh's last name sounds similar to Goth. But given the affinity between Goths and absinthe, maybe that's OK. Some have commented that my distiller looks like a goth ... or should that be a Gogh?!

Remember to comment below, please. Santé!

Absinthe Around the World Late 2009: 6

Can you identify the absinthes in this photo? Answers at the bottom of the article ...

Having worked in the liquor business for more than 20 years, I think I know a few of the more important things needed to create successful brands and categories. Availability, PR, visibility, etc.

As the absinthe market develops, however, both in Europe and elsewhere, one of the major tools that should be used is sampling. Either in-bar promotions or the wider availability of sample size bottles in the off-trade. Not many people are going to spend more than €30 on something that they have never tried before, let alone €50 or even €76 plus (the UK delivered price of Jade Nouvelle-Orleans ex-Liqueurs de France). At least this absinthe is also available in Europe in a 20 cl flask but to the normal shopper in Europe (or indeed the USA), most absinthes still have to be purchased by the bottle.

So I was very interested to see the new offering from the RueVerte online shop that operates out of Europe: Absinthexplore.


A collection of 23 different absinthes, from Switzerland, France, Germany and Austria that are available in 5 cl tubes and can be ordered individually, from €6.50 upwards, or in some of the sets put together by RueVerte.


The range available includes absinthes that are well-known (e.g. La Clandestine, Mansinthe, and Duplais), alongside comparative rarities (e.g. the wine-based La Clandestine, the two new Coeur d'Absinthe lines, and the Czech absinthe, St. Antoine). There are a number of pre-selected boxes: the 'Les Bleues' selection includes

6 different samples and 2 absinthe spoons, all delivered to the UK for €74.50, while the Artemisia-Bugnon selection

includes La Clandestine, Angélique and Opaline plus 1 spoon, all delivered to the UK for €48.00.

A collaboration with WIT, France, the tubes come with a screw-cap to guarantee a hermetical seal and thus ensures no oxygen penetration.

The sets are well-packaged boxes of 3 or 6 tubes that will undoubtedly become a popular Christmas present among absinthe lovers: they are easy and cheap to ship, they stand up well to the roughest of courier deliveries, and look great, by themselves ... or even on a book-shelf!

I contacted Antoine Générau, the man behind RueVerte and the new Absinthexplore concept to get the inside track.

What is your biggest market, Antoine?

"France. I mean it's the way it is now. It might change with the new concept."

What products would you like to add to the Absinthexplore portfolio?

"I should be able to add new products in February. That's what I planned. I can't say exactly which products I'm going to include to the ABSINTHEXPLORE concept. The Jades would be a great thing, but I have to see if I can get the permission from Ted Breaux (Ed: Blanchette will be added to the collection in the next week or so). That's exactly the same with the others absinthes available (Ed: and produced) in the US. I will have to see with the distillers what we can work together."

What do you say to those one or two people who have queried the possible quality issues: "How do we know that we are getting the real product? They don't have the distillers' seal etc etc."

"This is a good question. The best answer is to explain that :
- I have the permission from every distiller.
- All the information are on the samples (name of the product, name of the distillery, country of origin, alcohol content, quantity, bottled by)
- Every sample have a transparent label on the bottom of the tube with the number of the bottle it comes from. ex : "Lot n° 25.07.2008 D". So that if there is a problem, we can trace every sample. In fact, this is exactly the same with a big bottle. If you have a problem with it, you look at the number for the traceability."

Now launched officially, the Absinthexplore concept seems excellent, and it looks even better. Although I won't be buying a set for my wife this Christmas (she tells me she doesn't want absinthe this year!), I can heartily recommend it for absinthe lovers and their friends. Long-term absinthe buyers may regret that this wasn't available when they were ordering online 5 or more years ago, but they and newer drinkers will love this. It's a definite contender for my absinthe launch of the year.

And those mysterious absinthes in the first photo? Here they are ... Santé, Antoine!

Véritables absinthes au Canada

This is a translation of an article that originally appeared in English in June 2008.

Est-ce que cette image est vraie? Véritables absinthes? Disponibles au Canada? Oui, mais c’est déjà une longue histoire et c’est sur, ce n’est pas encore fini. En savoir plus, lisez la suite…

D’abord, au Printemps 2006, je suis allé tester le marché de l’absinthe au Canada, en visitant la Nouvelle Ecosse et l’Ontario. Je suis très reconnaissant d’avoir pu passer du temps avec deux passionnés d’absinthe et d’art à Toronto, Scott et Lannie, qui m’ont tous les deux pris pour faire la tournée de certains bars. D’où j’ai vu qu’il y avait une réelle demande d’absinthe. Cependant, il y avait très peu de véritable absinthe sur le marché. Plus tard, j’ai fait la rencontre des gens de la LCBO , étant apparemment le plus grand client d’alcool dans le monde, voici ce qu’il m’ont dit:

a) Il y a peu de demande pour l’absinthe haute-gamme (à ce jour, je ne sais pas comment ils évaluent ceci, vu qu’ils n’ont jamais pris une absinthe qu’on peut considérer comme une absinthe de haute qualité).

b) Quelle que soit l’absinthe qu’ils pourraient considérer devait avoir moins de 1 ppm (partie par million) de thuyone pour être en accord avec Santé Canada. J’ai demandé à la LCBO et à Santé Canada une copie de ces directives, qui devraient normalement être sous la liberté d’accès et d’information, mais j’attends toujours. D’autres entreprises ont différentes versions de cette “directive”, variant du quota de 1 ppm cité par la LCBO. Étrangement, la LCBO à récemment mis en stock “une absinthe”, qui aurait 3.5 ppm! Ils le disent eux-mêmes dans les courriers électroniques adressés à leurs clients. (Brève mise à jour: la LCBO stock maintenant l’absinthe “Sirène”, mais apparemment ils n’ont pas encore changé de point de vu sur la thuyone.

Une partie importante de mon voyage fut quand Scott et moi avons fait une dégustation privée d’environ 10 différentes absinthes, que j’avais introduites et je me souviens qu’il avait aimé les absinthes de la distillerie Clandestine, une distillerie que je connaissais et admirais. À cette époque cependant je ne travaillais pas directement avec eux.

Après trois années, je travaille pour la Clandestine (et d’autres spiritueux haut de gamme) et nous venons d’avoir notre première ouverture au Canada. Bizarrement, depuis que je suis allé dans les provinces de la Nouvelle Ecosse et de l’Ontario, et après avoir discuté avec les gens de BC, notre premier succès n’était dans aucune de ces provinces ; il a été réalisé à Montréal (c’est à Québec pour les américains!). C’est dans une micro-brasserie réputée « Dieu du ciel ». Pour moi c’est parfait, qu’un bar fier de ses bières élaborées à la main soit le premier revendeur d’Amérique du Nord de La Clandestine, confectionnée de façon artisanale au lieu de naissance de l’absinthe (Couvet, Suisse). Beaucoup d’autres bars aux Etats-Unis font de même, en incluant « Please Don’t Tell » et « L’Absinthe à New-York ». Mais c’est une autre histoire…

Stéphane Ostiguy, Président, de la Micro-brasserie Dieu du ciel, nous rapporte des ventes excellentes de La Clandestine et a déjà repassé commande deux fois (Soyez indulgents avec nous, Stéphane!). Évidemment, ses clients peuvent seulement boire dans le bar et ne peuvent pas acheter de bouteilles pour les emmener à la maison… Cela aide Stéphane à garder sa clientèle pour longtemps!


Montréal est juste à quelques miles/kilomètres des Etats-Unis. À tous nos amis des Etats-Unis, vous avez maintenant une autre bonne raison pour passer vos vacances à Montréal cette année. En fait, en regardant la liste de bières de Stéphane, avec Aphrodisiac, Coal Woman and Hemp Smoke, je dirais que vous avec encore plus de raison d’y aller!

IMPORTANTE MISE A JOUR: 11 FEV. 2009

Plus de véritables absinthes arrivent au Canada !

1. L’absinthe Taboo de Frank Deiter's est maintenant vendue en test chez deux revendeurs SAQ. Ironiquement, Frank va trouver plus facile de vendre sa populaire absinthe Canadienne aux Etats-Unis, où il vient de recevoir l’approbation d’étiquette.

2. Il y a un groupe très actif sur Facebook, “Canadians for Real Absinthe”, qui font pressions sur la régie des alcools.. En passant, ils ont échangés quelques histoires d’épouvante sur l’absinthe!

3. Il est clair que la SAQ désire étendre sa gamme d’absinthe en 2009: nous devrions en savoir plus d’ici fin mai 2009. Revenez pour les mises à jour.

4. Santé Canada a maintenant confirmé qu’ils ont révisé leurs directives sur le niveau de thujone dans l’absinthe. Cela peut prendre une année pour voir les résultats de la révision, mais il semble qu’ils reconnaissent que le reste du monde a une perspective totalement différente de la leur. Tenez-vous au courant!

5. Et maintenant, revenons en arrière pour expliquer l’image au début de cet article. La sélection d’absinthes stockées par Premier, Halifax, Nova Scotia. La Clandestine est arrivée à Nouvelle Ecosse fin novembre 2008. Juste à temps pour le Noël Blanc! Depuis le Premier a élargi sa gamme en incluant La Clandestine en 2 grandeurs (700 et 250 ml), Taboo 500ml, et La Fée Parisienne et Bohemian. Premier stocke aussi une gamme d’accessoires pour l’absinthe.



Une fontaine, des cuillères et des verres. Avec tous ces accessoires disponibles, il est le plus proche du paradis de l’absinthe que n’importe quel autre canadien. Pas aussi bon que l’étendue de la gamme disponible dans beaucoup de magasins américains, mais actuellement meilleure que les autres magasins canadiens.

Plus d’intéressantes nouvelles à propos de l’absinthe au Canada arriveront bientôt!

.......................................................................................

Thanks to Maxime Bugnon for the translation.

And as I wrote before some very interesting news is expected from Canada very soon ....

Absinthe, New York

Three weeks ago, I returned to New York for the first time since 1996. I was there on non-absinthe business, but with a weekend between meetings I went to see relatives in Brooklyn (including the branch of the family that had been separated from mine since 1900, but that's a whole story in its own right!). I also couldn't resist the opportunity to make a few spontaneous bar and shop calls and so on a Saturday night, my cousin, Aline, and I found the Brooklyn shop in the photo above.

From the outside, it didn't look like the nerve centre of one of the biggest absinthe vendors in the USA. And even on entering the store, it seemed more like one of those old-time liquor shops where the customer can't actually feel the merchandise before paying for it.

I was looking for Kamal Mukherjee, the owner of the shop, but more importantly the brains behind one of America's largest internet liquor vendors, Drink Up New York.



When I announced my name and my involvement with La Clandestine, we were immediately welcomed (almost as if we were re-meeting the long-lost relatives I had just met) and invited back-of-shop. And although I really didn't plan it this way, it was obvious to me that the non-confidential parts of our discussion could make a very interesting article for my blog. So we embarked on a fascinating exchange of information and views, more or less as chronicled below.

Hi, Kamal. Great to meet you. Could you tell us about something about yourself, your previous career and what led you to set up the current business?

I have been a computer geek and alcohol lover for most of my adult life. Setting up a website to sell booze seemed like a perfect way to bring these two worlds together. However, taking a few steps back, I was born and raised in Calcutta, India, got hooked on software at a very young age, and continued to live and work in India for quite some time. Moved to Singapore for a brief period and have been living in the USA for about ten years. During the IT meltdown in the early 2000's when many of my friends were being laid off, I managed to gather about $1,000 from my savings account and set up my consulting practice from the kitchen table of my rented apartment in New Jersey. The business picked up but there was always some uncertainty. For guys like me who had enjoyed the IT boom of the '90s, the honeymoon was definitely over. I was continuously looking for a "Plan B," did real estate investment for a while but moving from software to “hardware” was a big challenge. So the search for the dream job continued. Eventually, while hanging out with some of my friends who owned a liquor store, the idea of owning a store and filling up the shelves with world-class wines & spirits seemed more and more appealing. So in mid-2006, I pulled money from all possible sources e.g. the equity in my house, a cash advance from the credit card company etc etc, and bought a store in Brooklyn.

And at the end of 2006 www.DrinkUpNY.com was launched (managed and operated from the basement of the same building where a team of packers processes the orders for courier collection several times each day).

Without giving away commercial secrets, what is Drink Up New York's point of difference, and what are your business goals?

There are indeed a lot of online wine & spirits stores. Our focus has always been to offer products that are hard to find, give them an affordable price-tag and ship for free when the customers spend at least $100. We certainly want to be the “go to” place for alcohol lovers.

Within the spirits category, where does absinthe stack up in your overall sales?

It is amazing to see how well absinthe does as a category. There are far fewer brands of absinthe compared to scotch, rum etc, yet it outsells them all. Yes, Absinthe is our largest spirits category.

Do people who buy absinthe buy other spirits as well? If so, what types, what brands?

That happens all the time. Often people would buy Absinthe with Rye, Gin or Liquor. There is really no fixed pattern but absinthe consumers often venture into other categories.

You've been selling absinthes for more than a year now? Do you see the market for absinthe still growing, or has it slowed down at all?

We have been selling Absinthe since it became legal in the USA (with the initial launch of Lucid) and the market is yet to show any sign of slowing down. Many new brands have been introduced in the past year and each one of them is doing well. I think the USA is the last large market for absinthe (Editor note: apart from China, Kamal is probably right).

One or two other Manhattan-based shops aren't quite so bullish about absinthe sales: why are you doing better than them?

We do most of our absinthe sales via the web. Because we offer more variety and other absinthe-related accessories (spoons, glasses, etc), customers certainly seem to enjoy the "one stop" shopping experience they get with us.

How do you see absinthe trends developing? Towards more expensive brands, to less expensive brands ... or maybe the market is polarising in both directions?

At present consumer curiosity is a big factor. However, when you see customers keep coming back to the same brand again and again, there is a winner. While we all have a budget, brand loyalty is extremely important for this category. There is a very strong fan following for many of the producers. Consumers have been importing these brands from Europe for decades and now when they can legally buy them in the US, the excitement is really heart-warming.

Like all categories, absinthe will eventually plateau but we are quite a long way off that point. Lower quality absinthes would certainly flatten the market growth (so neither of us would welcome that!). Some of the (higher quality-focused) US spirits producers have already started working on Absinthe. This is really a very exciting time for the Absinthe category, both as consumer and member of the trade.

Any time a new drink comes out from a known US producer, it creates a buzz. Absinthe is no exception. We have seen that with St. George and I'd expect this trend to continue with the upcoming US brands as well. (Editor note: of course Lucid is also owned by a US-based company although it is produced in France).

How can suppliers work with you (and people like you) to grow and develop the category?

We are the first point of contact for end-users and for the most part customers don’t hesitate to provide feedback. Keeping close contact with the retailer is always a good practice. When there is a customer complaint or concern, provide us with the information and tools so that people don’t lose faith in the brand.

What should the industry be careful about?

There is indeed lot of mystery about Absinthe as a product. We must always discourage the drug myth.

..................................................................................................

For me, this was a great first meeting. I told Kamal that I had worked in India for three years (1996 to 1999) while selling brands like Remy Martin, Cointreau, The Macallan and Krug Champagne. Afterwards I recalled meeting in 1996 with the owners of probably the biggest liquor shop then in India (Shah in Mumbai). They and Kamal share the same entrepreneurialism, sure, but also gave the same warm welcome that is second-nature for some, but alien for most of us in the West.

Of course I've also got a background selling absinthe over the internet, although we have now closed US sales from the the shop I was most recently involved with (absinthe-suisse.com). So it was really interesting for me to see how Kamal has taken over this business so well ... and apparently so effortlessly!

As far as absinthe is concerned, it is great for the industry to know that Kamal obviously cares so much for the sector. With his internet business, he probably interacts with more absinthe consumers each day than most "absinthe salesmen," so his knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for the category is crucial. The USA absinthe business is already off to a great start, thanks to professionals like Kamal. Now if only we could hand-craft a few more like him ...

I've asked Kamal if he would mind answering any questions my readers have, so if you have questions to ask him, this is the place to do so. I doubt that he will reveal confidential figures but his views of and vision for absinthe are fascinating to explore. Over to you.

Swiss Absinthe sent through mail is impounded!

Over the last decade, the growing American interest in absinthe has led to the formation and development of several internet businesses who ship from Europe to the USA (as well as elsewhere) by courier. Or, as they are known with affection within the absinthe community, by the flying monkeys.

With new absinthe brands coming into the USA legally every week or so, more Americans are likely to buy locally, or from US-based retailers such as DrinkUp New York, and there will certainly be an impact on the European absinthe internet retailers.

Maybe they will take heart from knowing that while some things evolve, others never change. I loved this story from the New York Times of August 13th, 1881.



Absinthe sent by mail from Switzerland to the USA in 1881? An early precursor of La Clandestine?

I love the last sentence:

"The law provides that no liquids or fluids shall be sent through the United States mails, consequently the samples will be forwarded to Washington."

James Garfield, twentieth President of the USA, was assassinated less than six weeks later: history doesn't record whether he had an opportunity to try these "samples" before he met his fate.

Absinthe FAQ .. and infrequently AQ too

Any absinthe questions you want answered? Just add them as a comment to this post, and I'll reply, again in the comments, usually within 24 hours.

In the meantime, this article looks at some of the questions people have asked Google (or the other search engines) to find this site.

Using Google Analytics, I can see what search terms are used to find this blog. Hopefully most of the questions have answers somewhere on the blog, but, knowing that some of them don't, I thought I'd attempt to answer as many of them as possible on this page.

How to make absinthe: don't. Taking short-cuts will be illegal and could be fatal. Doing it the right way will take a lot of money and time: are you prepared for that? Now absinthe is legal and some of the best absinthes previously available only on the internet are heading your way, what's the point of making your own?

Absinthe cocktails: 106 listed in one article in this blog with a few others scattered around elsewhere.

Absinthe Singapore: absinthe is finally getting to Singapore, although at the time of writing the selection was very small. Singaporeans might get a better selection over the bridge in Malaysia where La Clandestine and Angélique will shortly be available.

Is Lucid real absinthe: yes.

Is Logan Fils genuine absinthe: maybe one of the products is. However their so-called Swiss absinthe does not come from Switzerland. Maybe their labels or bottles are Swiss-made? Read comments on Logan Fils here.

Clandestine absinthe thujone: yes.

Where can I buy absinthe: it's almost getting easier to see where "can't" I buy absinthe? Absinthe is now legal in almost every country where liquor is legal (except some South American countries apparently).

In USA, it's available in every State, in Bevmo through to DrinkUp New York.

In Canada, the range of absinthes widely available is slowly improving, with Taboo, a new locally-distilled absinthe, hitting some headlines and Spirits Corner still chosen by many.

In UK, it's in most supermarkets, but for a larger selection, go to Soho Wine, Vintage House, Drink Shop, DrinkOn, Gerry's etc.

In Australia, the range available is improving, thanks to Absinthe Salon. More news soon.

Most expensive absinthe: interesting question. Spend $60 on an absinthe that isn't a real absinthe, and that's really expensive! Spend $ 80 or more dollars on absinthes that are shining examples of a distiller's art, and that's cheap!

Best real absinthe: modesty forbids ... Seriously I have drunk - or at least sampled - more than 40 absinthes. Most of the distilled, uncoloured or naturally coloured - absinthes are well worth trying. Read the Wormwood Society or Fée Verte for more!

Best Czech absinthe: at the time my blog mentioned this, it might have been Oliva. Now it seems more likely to be St. Antoine.

Mike Marvin absinthe: was this someone searching for himself? Confidentiality issues prohibit me from commenting!

What is real absinthe: do I have to answer again?

Is Ted Breaux real: a bit like asking if the tooth fairy is real ... What do you think?

Highest thujone absinthe: who cares?

How to make absinthe spoon: ask him ...



Absinthe side effects memory: Sorry, say that again ...

Absinthe rental: what an interesting idea. With some lower quality products, I suppose ownership may only be temporary, but I won't go into further detail.

Buying Absinthe blog: My blog is not for sale.

Czech Republic women: Very nice.

Czech Panty: No comment.

do you have to make absinthe avoid your tongue: why?

gwydion stone trinity: is this the so-called holy trinity of absinthe ingredients or Gwydion's wife?



I suppose I should tell Gwydion who is trying to find his wife .... unless of course it was Gwydion himself who was searching .....

how long absinth lasts: hah!

how much absinthe do you need for two people: two bottles.

invest in absinthe company: tell me more ...

japan absinthe and rape: Crosby?

my sex story while drinking absinthe: while? I hope not? Afterwards, maybe.

number 1 absinthe in the world: .....

original swiss absinthe recipe: no, I doubt if anyone I know would want to divulge their recipe.

where can i buy moss: so that's why it's called the Green fairy!

ted breaux girlfriend: asked by someone in ... well, I know the town and State of that request, but it wouldn't be fair of me to say, would it?!

More interesting questions used by my readers to find my blog will follow!

Real Absinthe in Canada

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2013: The LCBO has been upgrading its absinthes. It is now possible to find Lucid, Vieux Pontarlier and, most recently, La Clandestine within the LCBO, or Vintages or, in the case of La Clandestine, Vintages Online! And the Absinthe Café in Ottawa (shown above) is probably the best stocked absinthe bar/restaurant anywhere in Canada!

Now back to the original post ...


Can this picture be true? Real absinthe? Available in Canada? Yes, but it's a long story and there is hopefully much more to come. To find out more, read on ...

I first went to check out the absinthe market in Canada in Spring 2006, visiting Nova Scotia and Ontario. I was very grateful to spend time with two absinthe lovers and artists/art lovers in Toronto, Scott and Lannie, who both took me round some bars. I saw there was obviousy a demand for real absinthe, but there was very little real absinthe in the market. Later I met with the LCBO, apparently the largest liquor customer in the world, and they told me that:

a) There was little demand for high quality absinthe (to this day, I don't know how they assess that since up to then and for some time afterwards they didn't stock what absinthe connoisseurs would consider to be real, high quality absinthe).

b) Any absinthe that they were to consider had to have less than 1 part per million of thujone in line with Health Canada "guidelines." Other Liquor Boards seem to have different interpretations of these "guidelines," ranging from no limit (BC) to the 1 ppm then quoted by LCBO, but now increased.

The highlight of my trip was when Scott and I had a private tasting of 10 or so different absinthes that I had brought in with me and I recall he loved the absinthes of the Clandestine distillery, a distillery I also knew and admired. At the time, however, I was not working directly with them.

Fast forward three years. I work on La Clandestine (and on other premium drinks) and we've just started to have our first real breakthroughs in Canada. Typically since I went to Nova Scotia and Ontario and have had talks with people in BC, our first success was in none of those provinces. It was in Montreal (that's in Quebec for any Americans!) and it's at the famous microbrewery pub, Dieu du Ciel. For me, it's perfect that a bar priding itself on hand-crafted smallscale beers should have been the first outlet in North America selling La Clandestine, hand-crafted in the birthplace of absinthe (Couvet, Switzerland). Many other bars in the USA are now also doing so, including the famous Please Don't Tell and L'Absinthe in New York. But that is another story ..

Stéphane Ostiguy, Président, Microbrasserie Dieu du ciel, reports excellent sales of La Clandestine, and has already re-ordered twice (bear with us, Stéphane!). Of course, his customers can only drink on the premises and cannot buy to take bottles home ... so hopefully this helps Stéphane keep his customers there for longer! Stéphane's story about absinthe is very interesting!

Montreal is just a few miles/kilometers away from the USA, so to all our friends in the USA, you now have one more good reason to vacation in Montreal this year. In fact, looking at the list of Stéphane's beers, including Aphrodisiac, Coal Woman and Hemp Smoke, I'd say you have many more reasons to go there!

IMPORTANT UPDATE: AUGUST 2009

More real absinthe is coming to Canada!

1. Frank Deiter's Taboo is now being sold on test in Quebec Liquor Board outlets. Ironically, Frank is probably going to find it easier to sell his popular Canadian absinthe in the USA, where he has just got label approval.

2. There is a very active group on Facebook, Canadians for Real Absinthe, that is leading the lobbying of the Liquor Boards .. and swapping a few horror stories on the way (Update: Facebook's changes to how Groups are set up removed more than 200 members recently).

3. Health Canada have now confirmed that they are reviewing their guidelines for thujone levels in absinthe. It may take a year to see the results of their review, but it does seem that they recognise that the rest of the world has a totally different perspective. Keep your fingers crossed!

4. And now back to explain the picture at the start of this article. The selection of absinthes stocked by Premier, Halifax, Nova Scotia. La Clandestine arrived in Nova Scotia end-November 2008. Just in time for a White Christmas! Since then Premier has expanded their portfolio and now has an interesting range of absinthes, including La Clandestine in two sizes (700 and 250 ml), Taboo 500 ml, and La Fée Parisian and Bohemian. Premier also stock a range of absinthe accessories, including


a fountain, spoons and glasses. With all that available, it's the nearest that Canadians have yet come to Absinthe Heaven. Not as good as the range available in many US stores, but better than that at any other Canadian liquor store currently.

5. And most exciting of all? The Quebec Liquor Board (S.A.Q.) is now stocking two Swiss absinthes, La Clandestine and Kübler, and La Clandestine can be found in more than 120 stores in Quebec NOW! I am told that they considered 11 different absinthes from France, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, but eventually decided that high quality absinthes from the very birthplace of absinthe were the most appropriate for their consumers. The Facebook group (linked to in 2 above) tells a bit more of this interesting story!

Cheers ... et santé, Canada!

Vert d'Absinthe - my favourite absinthe shop

Are you going to Paris this year? For many travellers, Paris is their favourite city, with all its restaurants, bars, and shops. It's easy to imagine oneself back in the Belle Epoque days when absinthe flowed freely, and the Moulin Rouge dispensed absinthe WITHOUT burning it as they do in the film! I had a girlfriend in Paris a few years ago, so it has special memories for me too. If you are visiting Paris, my favourite city, soon, then you must visit Luc-Santiago Rodriguez at my favourite "bricks and mortar" absinthe shop.

Vert d'Absinthe
11 rue d'Ormesson
Paris
France
75004
Phone Number: + 33 (0)142716973

Luc's shop is an oasis, a hidden treasure in the historic Marais area of Paris and once inside you'll forget the bustle of the Parisian streets as you discover all the secrets of absinthe with the help of a wonderful tour guide (no tipping, please!). Luc has one of the finest ranges of absinthes - and absinthe accessories - available anywhere with almost all the French absinthes preferred by real absinthe lovers and some of the favourite Swiss absinthes too (unfortunately the French legislation on fenchone content in drinks limits the number of Swiss absinthes on sale).

Luc's shop is probably the only "bricks and mortar" retailer where you can buy both the distilled absinthes which won Golden Spoon awards at the 2006 Absinthiades in Pontarlier (Recette Marianne from Claude-Alain Bugnon's Couvet distillery, and the Jade La Blanchette from Combier, Saumur).

I've been visiting Luc since he first opened his shop in 2005 and have enjoyed a few glasses with him over that time. Bad salesman that I am (or good salesman that he is!), I have probably bought as much from him as I have sold to him. But with his Gallic charm, his amazing selection of absinthe, and, above all, his knowledge of and passion for his subject, it is all too hard to resist.

Santé, Luc!



PS If sampling absinthe with Luc has whetted your appetite, then in the square next to his shop there are some great restaurants. My favourite is Le Bistrot de Diane, at 2 Place du Marché Saint Catherine. And if you arrive at Luc's before he opens, the restaurant looks straight onto the shop, so you can enjoy lunch and a drink or two while you wait!

Absinthe for Sale

Absinthe is not a cheap drink to make or to buy. A good absinthe could be made with around a dozen different plants. The artisanale methods used to make many of today's absinthes are themselves very labour intensive.

However this absinthe is more expensive than any ever sold before. Even more expensive than the pre-ban absinthe samples sold once in a while by Oxygénée.

This absinthe will cost you $16,900,000, the equivalent of 291,379 bottles of La Clandestine swiss absinthe ...



Originally built in 1973 and then re-fitted in 2005, M/Y Absinthe is currently located at Ensanada, Mexico, so there may be a small delivery charge too. Fraser Yachts, who are selling it, report that its maximum speed is 17 knots, so delivery may not be as fast as the couriers who deliver absinthe!

Want to know more. Well here's the plan ...



The Dining Room ...



and the Master Suite ...



Finally if you lead a very busy life, and are concerned you may not be able to get to your yacht very easily, note that it comes with a helipad ..

Where can I buy real absinthe?

UPATED 2009 AND 2012 TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

A Master List for the USA. (includes retailers who ship nationwide)

A Master List for the Rest of the World (Canada, Europe, Asia Pacific)

US STORES (INCLUDING ONLINE VENDORS

There are now many real absinthes available in all major cities and most, if not all of the USA. Some European companies not yet selling their products in the USA may falsely claim that absinthe sold in the USA is a watered-down version of absinthe sold in Europe: writing, however, as someone who sells his absinthe across Europe, North America and Asia, I can categorically refute that point. The only significant differences are different labelling and bottle sizes!

For those wanting to buy in the USA and who have problems finding quality absinthes in their town, Drink Up New York and Catskill Cellars provide the best options, both for those in New York City and Upstate NY, and for those shipping to those other States where there are fewer choices. They both allow prospective purchasers to browse by country or by continent of origin, and Drink Up New York also has customer reviews for each of the brands available. General absinthe forum concensus is that Drink Up New York and Catskill offer the highest quality ranges in the USA, with only one artificially coloured absinthe and no pre-sweetened absinthe in these two stores.


Astor Wine and Spirits (photo immediately above) in Manhattan probably has the best range available to downtown Manhattan shoppers.

On the West Coast, BEVMO offers a wider selection in more stores than anyone else, as well as on-line through several Western States, including California and Arizona. In the past some may have commented that their selection is weaker on quality than on quantity, but now that they have exhausted stocks of some of the more notorious lower quality absinthes (e.g. Le Tourment Vert), there are clear signs that they are upgrading their selection.

In New England, Julio's Liquors, Westborough and Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge both have a big selection, while closer in to Boston several branches of Kappy's as well as Menotomy Wine have a good, more focused selection.

In Kentucky, Party Source is definitely the go-to resource for absinthes.

US BARS

Probably the best US bar for absinthe is Brooklyn's Maison Premiere with more than 25 high quality absinthes served the classic way and a great absinthe cocktail list. Other top bars for absinthe in New York include the famous PDT and the much less well-known William Barnacle, both in St. Marks's Place, Manhattan, the Swiss-owned Trestle on Tenth, while further uptown L'Absinthe Restaurant and Pigalle are well worth a visit.

In California, Los Angeles and San Francisco both have some great absinthe bars. In the former the Edison Downtown, the Onyx Lounge and Seventy7 Culver City all have a very good selection. In San Francisco, visit Dixie.

In Boston, the ArtBar at the Royal Sonesta leads the way, while the Seaport Hotel, Craigie on Main, and Blue Inc are among the best in their respective areas.

Elsewhere, we love the Chinatown Coffee Company in Washington DC (wouldn't it be great if Starbucks offered absinthe in every outlet!), the Bitter Bar and Absinthe House in Boulder, Colorado, 4 Olives in Kansas, Peché in Austin, Texas, and Cure in New Orleans. On the subject of New Orleans, the Old Absinthe House is a must-try, although there have been reports that they try to burn absinthe. Tell them not to!

There is a more up-to-date list of US stores and bars stocking La Clandestine and other good absinthes here.

CANADA

Premier in Halifax, Nova Scotia offer the best selection in the Eastern seaboard provinces. And now, the SAQ offers Quebec consumers a choice of La Clandestine, Kübler and Taboo absinthes: the first time Canadians have had such a wide quality choice. And, as of February 2013, the LCBO offers Lucid, Vieux Pontarlier and La Clandestine!

BARS IN CANADA

Dieu du Ciel, Sarah B at the Inter-continental, Le Lab and L'Assommoir are among the best in Montreal. Clive's Classic Lounge is one of the best in BC.

SHOPS AND BARS IN EUROPE

There are many shops and bars across Europe selling just one or two absinthes. Knowing that my readers might want the opportunity to talk to well-informed shop staff, the opportunity in some cases to sample some absinthe, and a broader selection of absinthes, then I have listed shops which satisfy those criteria.

UK

London:
Soho Wine.
Gerry's.
Vintage House.
Bar Nightjar, London: probably the biggest and best range in the UK. Served the classic way and in several amazing cocktails!
Purl, London.
Brompton Bar and Grill, London
Montgomery Place, London
Worship Street Whistling Shop
Dach and Sons
Zetter Town House

Outside London:
The Larderhouse, Bournemouth
Haus Bar, Bristol
12a Cambridge
Bond No. 9, Edinburgh.
The Moorings Bar, Aberdeen.

FRANCE
Paris:
Vert D'Absinthe.
Caves du Roy.
Cantada 11.

Colmar:
Absinthe Bar, L'Entreacte

Marseille:
Maison du Pastis.

Antibes:
Antibes Absinthe Bar

SWITZERLAND

Val-de-Travers:
Fleur-Bleue.
Absinthe Bar, Fleurier.
Chapeau de Napoléon, Saint-Sulpice.
Neuchâtel: Au Fin Palais. A good selection of beers too!

Elsewhere:
Die Grune Fee, Solothurn.


GERMANY
Heidelberg: Grüner Engel.
Berlin: Absinth Depot.
Leipzig: Sixtina and La Petite Absintherie.

NETHERLANDS

Amsterdam:
Boorsma.
Overmars.
Tunes at the Conservatorium, Amsterdam

SPAIN
Barcelona: Spirits Corner (shop as well as internet supplier).

PORTUGAL

Lisbon: Garrafeira Nacional

CZECH REPUBLIC
Absintherie, Prague.
Black Angels Bar, Prague.
Hemingway, Prague
Red Rabbit Bar, Prague

DENMARK

Bliss, Copenhagen.

BELGIUM

Floris Bar, Brussels

ITALY

Cimiteria Horror Pub

In some of the European shops and bars (notably those outside France and Switerland), there are also a number of novelty items stocked. However all these retailers are well-informed: tell them you want to buy real absinthe, and they will know what you mean.

EUROPEAN INTERNET SHOPS

There are good vendor guides on both the Wormwood Society and on Fée Verte, which are the two pre-eminent absinthe resources on the internet.

Both these sites recommend absinthe-suisse.com, as well as Liqueurs de France.

Spirits Corner is also listed on both sites, although the Wormwood Society adds a comment to "Avoid the novelty products, such as mandrake liquor and cannabis absinthe." In fact, there are signs that Spirits Corner is adapting to the market and is increasingly focusing on higher quality, real absinthe brands. When I re-checked this on April 19th, 2007, I couldn't find any Czech "absinth" on Spirits Corner.

Fée Verte also lists Absinthe Classics (a good source which focuses on higher quality real absinthe).

Neither of the main absinthe information sites list the many selling sites that are heavily focused on Czech products. Generally if a site is focused on thujone content, it's a warning sign!

UPDATE JANUARY 2010

There are several newer online shops in Europe, notably Absinthes.com. Read about Absinthes.com's revolutionary Absinthexplore offerings here.

BARS IN ASIA PACIFIC

MALAYSIA

Skybar, KL

JAPAN

Tokyo:
Bar Tram and Bar Trench.

HONG KONG

The Blck Brd.

CAMBODIA

L'Absinthe Bar, Phnom Penh.

SINGAPORE

Absinthe Artisan

AUSTRALIA

Absinthe Salon, Sydney

ELSEWHERE ...

Guatemala: Bistrot Cinq!
Estonia: Lai V Bar.

ABSINTHE ACCESSORIES

I'm also asked about where to buy Absinthe Accessories and Absinthe Devil offers Americans a very wide selection available in the USA, and thus without high postage bills.

The first absinthe shop in the birthplace of absinthe

Claude-Alain Bugnon, the distiller of La Clandestine, has now opened the first absinthe shop in the Val-de-Travers, the birthplace of absinthe.

His shop, Fleur-Bleue, sells all the famous absinthes of the Val-de-Travers region (the same range as the Swiss absinthes sold on absinthe-suisse), absinthe accessories, Swiss chocolates and flowers. Mlle. Hélène Grandjean, the flower expert, will be in charge of the day-to-day operations of the shop: good news for tourists and for absinthe lovers since it will allow Claude-Alain to devote his time to developing his award-winning absinthes.

Shop address: Grand Rue 32, in Couvet. Just in front of the Artemisia Distillery, home of La Clandestine.

Phone number: +41 32 8633646