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  8 0 The importation of absinthe into the US has been legal since late 2007. There have since been a number of different varieties showing up on the market... but do your research! If you want the *real* stuff, you're going to have to be willing to spend upwards of 60 bucks/bottle, and just because something is pricy doesn't mean it's good. It's really easy to waste a lot of money on a bottle of crap labeled "absinthe." My best advice would be to browse the better cocktail blogs out there and see what labels they have reviewed and liked. http://mixologymonday.com/ is a monthly online themed cocktail party where you can find links to the best liquor snobs on the net. Another really good place would be Imbibe Magazine (http://www.imbibemagazine.com/). I remember there being a really really good review of the biggest brands out there right now in their Jan/Feb 2009 issue, so you might want to find a copy of that. It had a table comparing quality, price, louche (very key with absinthe) and authenticity of the varieties that was really handy. Good luck!!!! askahn answered in Alcohol over 3 years ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  4 0 Real absinthe is easy to find these days--you can even get a local one, made by Pacific Distilleries in Woodinville. I tasted it, and a French one, at Gainsbourg (in Greenwood) last night...the French one was sweeter, the Woodinville one was strange, minerally and wonderful. They have about seven different kinds in stock (mostly French, also an Oregon one I didn't try), but it's not hard to find a bar with at least one kind. Find one you like and head to the liquor store for a bottle. It's all awfully high proof--the bartender had a few unfortunate stories about dummies knocking it back like Jaeger shots. The rules changed a while back, first in the EU, then here. No need to smuggle it in or search ebay or whatnot. It's hard to believe Pernod was ever seen as an acceptable substitute--it's completely different. alight answered in Alcohol over 3 years ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  3 0 You can buy Marteau at the LCB on 12th and Pike. It's spendy ($80 for a bottle), but it's excellent. You can sample at Liberty, Tini Bigs or Zig Zag if you'd rather not spend the money. The other one to look for is called Pacifique. Happy drinking! kid icarus answered in Alcohol over 3 years ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  1 0 I don't drink, so I'm not sure if it's real or not, but Gainsbourg in Wallingford has a variety of different kinds of absinthe on their menu.  Megan Seling answered in Alcohol over 3 years ago | Report 2 comments by bearseatbeats and Megan Seling… 0 0 The Gainsbourg is in Greenwood, actually. They do have several absinthes, though I haven't tried them yet. bearseatbeats commented over 3 years ago | Report 0 0 Oh yes, duh. I meant Greenwood. Not far from Gordito's! You know, if you don't want to drink absinthe on an empty stomach. Megan Seling commented over 3 years ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  1 0 There's a big question here, too, about what "real" absinthe is--since it started becoming legal again in Europe in the Nineties, most makers hop it up on thujone, which is supposed to be the psychedelic-y part from wormwood. It's debated whether or not this is "real" absinthe, though--makers from places like the Czech Republic claim it is, but other liquor experts claim there was never much thujone in absinthe made back in the Nineteenth century. I'm not an expert, but their point seems valid: they claim government crusaders over-estimated the amount that was in absinthe to justify banning it (government lying about drugs--who'd have thunk it?). So there's a lot of debate. Classicists claim low-thujone content stuff is the real thing and tastes better, and that the Czech stuff everyone thinks is "real" is just cheap vodka or grain alcohol hopped on wormwood, and tastes like a cheap gin. (This is actually often true). But both sides are making the stuff, so who knows the truth? Jeremy M. Barker answered in Alcohol over 3 years ago | Report 1 comment by Michael Duggan… 0 0 Agreed. In addition: The more "traditional" branded absinthes available online for import have between 25 - 35mg thujone per litre according to websites, whereas the hopped up czech stuff boasts up to 200mg! While my experience has only been with this junk and some legal stuff from Portland a few months back I can agree that the $200 wasn't really worth it for the difference in the buzz, especially given the drop in flavor. And since I'm told that you can buy wormwood extracts and whatnot at hippie stores that sell that kind of stuff, and also at head shops, that could supplement the Thujone content if that's your quest. I say buy the good stuff... the question then becomes "Water or fire?" for your sugar. I prefer water. Michael Duggan commented over 3 years ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  1 0 How about the liquor store? The Washington LCB website lists a few different types of absinthe available. Byron Waller answered in Alcohol over 3 years ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 Pacifique Absinthe by Pacific Distilleries in Woodinville is, as alight mentioned, an option. It's a very good one, in fact. Lucid is another good brand. Kubler is absinthe in the Swess "la bleue" (clear, not green) style and is tasty. Absente was a pre-ban brand which used a cousin of Grand Wormwood, and it is now sold with Grand Wormwood as Grand Absente; this is okay but very sweet. Absinthe is usually quite strong, and the user dilutes it to his or her taste. Pacifique, Lucid or Kubler cost around $70-80 in Washington, and are worth the price. Thujone content of real absinthe is negligible. It does have a more, well, lucid effect if you get drunk on it - you'll feel clearer than you are. A few warnings. First, DO NOT light absinthe. This is the Czech method. Czech absinthe is foul. All of it, to varying degrees - the original (since 1980 - no, not 1890) and worst is Hill's. To really prep absinthe, put your absinthe in a glass, prop an absinthe spoon (or a fork or two nested forks) across the glass, put sugar cubes on top (as many as you like, usually one to three) then pour ice cold, filtered water over the sugar - as slowly as you possibly can, since the various oils in the herbs precipitate out of the liquid at various precise dilution levels; the slower you go, the wider the flavors, generally. The louche, pronounced "loosh", is the change from pale transparent green to milky white as the oils precipitate out, and is part of the magic - when finished, hold it up to a bright light to see the beautiful fiery colors hidden in the milky liquid. Also: Le Tourment Vert. "The Green Torment". It's a lovely bottle containing a blue-green liquid, and it'll set you back less than $40. It smells like Aqua Velva, tastes horrible, and will not louche at all. It's a waste of money. If you want to see prep done with a proper absinthe glass, absinthe spoon and glass absinthe fountain, go to the Deluxe on Broadway. The Deluxe serves Lucid, last I checked, and a measure is around $10. It'll give you an idea of how the prep goes, though lacking the fountain you only need a pitcher that will pour a thin, fine drip without dribbling everywhere. ZephyrSkunk answered in Alcohol about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 Try http://www.wormwoodsociety.org for info and reviews. Like others have said, you can now get it at the liquor store and in certain bars/restaurants. bearseatbeats answered in Alcohol over 3 years ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 Talk to LCB Bill, they make some wicked stuff, with SUPER high thujone counts. You can taste some of the more commercial stuff they make at Duck Island Ale House. I have his email if you want to make a purchase from the local craft distillers. wisepunk answered in Alcohol over 3 years ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 1 You can order it online straight from the French! It takes a while to get here but it's worth it. http://www.lafeeabsinthe.com/ Jessica Baxter answered in Alcohol over 3 years ago | Report 1 comment by Jessica Baxter… 0 0 Oh...well, I like it. Jessica Baxter commented over 3 years ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  1 5 Canada. Drive across, buy the Czech or French brand you are looking for, and come back. George J Rickle II answered in Alcohol over 3 years ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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