An Absinthe Question

Lately I've noticed this Blogad for Absinthe:

Historically, Absinthe was banned in Europe and continues to be banned in the U.S.  Apparently this is due to its magic mystical component, Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium).

"It was thought that excessive absinthe-drinking led to effects which were specifically worse than those associated with over-indulgence in other forms of alcohol — which is bound to have been true for some of the less scrupulously adulterated products, creating the condition absinthism. Undistilled wormwood essential oil contains a substance called thujone, which is an epileptic (and can cause renal failure) in extremely high doses, and the supposed ill effects of the drink were blamed on that substance in 19th century studies.

More recent studies have shown that very little of the thujone present in absinthe actually makes it into a properly distilled absinthe, even one re-created using historical recipes and methods, so much so that a recent French distiller has had to add pure essential oil of wormwood to make a "high-thujone" variant of his product. It can remain in higher amounts in oils produced by other methods than distillation, or when wormwood is macerated and the macerate not distilled, especially when the plant stems are used, where thujone content is the highest."

Apparently the "Thujone Affect" seems to be overstated.  My question is this:  Have you tried Absinthe?  Did you notice any peculiar affects?

Comments

[Andrew]

Nah, nothing. Not banned in the UK though. I have a little sample bottle I could send you - its been opened but should be ok.

[Lenn]

Never had it...but if it's true...sign me up ;)

[Greg]

I've had it before. Can't say I like the taste. The high I got from it was... interesting. The effect was quite different than anything else I've ingested.
I'd suggest drinking it in moderation :)

[beau]

Interesting. When I talk to people about Absinthe, roughly 50% claim it was 'different' and 50% claim it was 'no different' from any other distilled spirit..

[Carry]

I suspect the 50% who claim they "experienced something different," feel the difference b/c they expect to. That is to say, the effect of expectation is what creates the feeling, not the absinthe itself.

Why? Because all absinthe for sale in the European Union (which is where most absinthe comes from) must have less than 10mg/L of thujone to be legal for sale. At that level, a drinker will get alcohol poisoning before experiencing any hallucenations or mysterious green fairy effects.

If you can get a real bottle, I'd highly recommend it. The taste is far superior to the immitation varieties available in the US. It is much more complex and herbal. It's not legal for distributors to sell it in the US, but I believe it's still legal to bring back up to two bottles of it for personal consumption.

If you don't like the taste of straight absinthe (drunk Czech or French style), pick up a small bottle of Peychaud's bitters and make a REAL Sazarac cocktail. Or drink it Hemmingway style - a shot topped with champaigne. Yum!

[beau]

Thanks for the info Carry. I am interested in trying it - if only to taste real Absinthe. Don't plan on seeing any green fairies though..

[Tommy Woods]

Put me on I'm curious!!!

[Pik]

The Absinth plant is quite common here in Italy, is there any receipt for the plant ? I heard that (some) old people here make a sort of mohito (I don't know the exact word in english for "pestato", something done with a masher) with wine and absinth leaves for Eastern, before going to church ;-).
I wonder also when the plant should be collected.

[David]

Hi, Beau-- for an overproof distillate, Absinthe has surprisingly little 'heat' on the palate-- maybe all the other herbs macerated with the wormwood help-- but the alcohol will hit you in ways that feel more 'body-centered', creating an illusion of clear-headedness while your mouth goes a little numb and your limbs loosen up.
Get some of the good stuff-- in Barcelona, I always had a pint of common stuff made in Mallorca. My favorite method of imbibing was to pour a generous shot into the espresso from the machine in my pension's lobby...
Owe you some more news and contact...I'll see how soon i can post somethin' to ya.

[filippo bonato]

What is the white thing people burn upon the glass before drinking??

[AL]

It's a sugarcube.

[Kioko]

Hi. In the future I'm going to keep here links to their sites. But I do not worry about the sites where my link is removed. So if you do not want to see a mountain of links, simply delete this message. After 2 weeks, I will come back and check.

[belstaff jackets]

The beautiful winter is comming now,have you fashion in this amazing season,maybe answer is yes,but you must to know who is the fashion leader of this winter,that is Belstaff Uk.In Uk everyone knows Belstaff Jackets is the most popular in winter,you should know the reason,Belstaff Jackets is established in 1924,it's a long enough time to make clothes,so the quality,the design,for Belstaff Jackets Uk is expert level,especially Belstaff Leather Jacekt,it all are made up with top layer cow leather.Maybe in UK,every motobike rider want one.That's incredible popular right.And now,you can find a so convenient way to get a perfect Belstaff Jackets,that is our onlien shop,we are official site of Belstaff Jackets Uk,why not choose one for your beartiful family and yourself now.so Click here to join us:Bestaff Uk.com.Get your Belstaff Jacket with biggest discount in this world.

[Coach Outlet store Online]

Fulfilling our needs for fast fashion means increased production and competition in clothing manufactured in countries with fashion trend.In order to meet the market's demands,Coach Outlet Store Online pay more attention on the fashion style with the latest material.In terms of luxury consumption, consumers in Western countries prefer traditional brands while consumers are wilder about the fashionable fad.In Coach Outlet there are many famous bags of the Coach Outlet Online.In USA,at least,each of the person have a Coach bags on the average.So,in the Amercian market,Coach bags get the people favourate.On that basic,manufacture take the chance to make the price very on the high side.Today,Coach Handbags Outlet USA do atmost to drop the price,with the same quality.In order to thanks for the public,Coach give a biggest discount to Forengn for the fastival.If U bag bags over $99,Coach Outlet Store Online can send the goods to Ur home without the fright.At the same time,the goods of coach bags can have a discount at 82% to meet the market's needs.So don't worry,Coach Outlet Online Store can give U the chance to owned your remembered bags with very lowest price.At the same time,Coach Outlet Store Online newly iaunched the latest fad bags which canused a ensation in the fashion world for U to make up in the winter.Is your heat moving very fast,quick, first come first get.More and More chance are waiting for U.

[piumini moncler]

Moncler è il marchio più famoso d'inverno in questo mondo, Piumini Moncler nel mondo della moda è più popolare di altri marchi, e rende possibile per ogni uomo e donna di guardare a caldo su un weather.In molto freddo il nostro sito possiamo permetterci tutti i tipi di Moncler Donna e Uomo Moncler, credo fermamente che si può prendere agli occhi degli altri con la giacca Moncler state portando alla moment.Creativity e innovazione è il motivo per questo marchio è molto attractive.And il materiale di Moncler è tutto all'acqua calda, così che tipo di freddo in questo inverno, non abbiate paura, perché si ha un perfetto Moncler Piumini, che è il point.And nostro sito sono Moncler sito Ufficiale, e lo prendiamo dalla fabbrica, quindi il prezzo è incredibile a buon mercato, in modo da visita Piumini Moncler online, acquistare il necessario in inverno.

[Louis Vuitton on sale]

Louis Vuitton On Sale with the Fashion and classical styles have been the the first choose in Oscar for the fashion stars.In Louis Vuitton Handbags Store many selected classical fashion bags have been displayed in Louis Vuitton Outlet Store for a big show by the fashion world.Louis Vuitton Outlet is famous for selected material material,novel design,delightful colors and exquisite workmanship.At the same time,the Louis Vuitton Bags from Louis Vuitton On Sale with the only hand made have become the token of status by Louis Vuitton Handbags Store,which attract the first-class society to be the fans of Louis Vuitton Handbags to pursuit the latest fahion bags.Counterparts, Louis Vuitton Outlet Online have been the stars for all kinds of bags.In the fashion world,Louis Vuitton bags in Louis Vuitton Outlet beyond doublt that many people are crazing about the bags from Louis Vuitton On Sale.In order to meet the market's demands and thanks for the public,Louis Vuitton Handbags Store would give public a big surprise to give your needs.At first,Louis Vuitton Outlet Online will have a big discount for the newly iaunched bags which have the best quality lowest price.Second,Louis Vuitton Outlet Online will open the biggest fashion show to the public for the most classical style on display.If you are interested in the Louis Vuitton bags in Louis Vuitton Handbags,pls take this chance to be the lucky person for the fashion.Don't miss this chance.Louis Vuitton On Sale sincerely service for you.