Absente is real absinthe?

Topic created by Donna Campbell
on Mon, 19 May 2008 at 12:39

Donna Campbell said on Mon, 19 May 2008 at 12:39...

I just have a question about Absente. Now, is this really absinthe or not?

Donna

Old Nick said on Wed, 21 May 2008 at 22:28...

Greetings Donna :-)

The answer is maybe not, yes and yes. Confused? LOL.

It depends on which brand of Absente you are drinking. Absente (USA version) made with Southern Wormwood (and not Grande Wormwood) cannot strictly be called absinthe. They label it absinthe re-defined and it has been around for a while. Southern Wormwood is non thujone bearing and therefore passes muster with the FDA regulations regarding alcoholic beverages being "thujone free"

So what about "yes and yes"? The first "yes" refers to Absente (European version) which does contain Grande Wormwood. The second "yes" refers to a new release called Grand Absente Absinthe Originale. This variety is a newbie that has arrived recently in the States and has low levels of real wormwood as well.

Not to confused with Absenta, the Spanish word for absinthe.

Hope this helps!

Nick

MsJekYll said on Tue, 27 May 2008 at 12:51...

Hi Nick,

"They label it absinthe re-defined..."

I believe their marketing claims it is "absinthe refined" in fact -- and it's as deceptive as it can get. You don't "refine" a centuries-old recipe by leaving out an essential ingredient.