Back in January 0f 2008 we wrote an article on Absinthe being legal again in the United States. However, most of the absinthe sold at bars and liquor stores only contain 30 mg of thujone - the active ingredient in absinthe which causes people to hallucinate. It’s very difficult to hallucinate off the absinthe with this lower thujone content.
On New Years of 2008 some absinthe came my way so I figured I would try it out. I took 3 shots of it without a chaser. It was actually very good tasting alcohol. After about 10 minutes I felt something that was defintely not your normal alcohol buzz. Mild Euphoria set in and everything seemed to be very funny. No hallicunations though. After about 20 minutes these feelings started to subside. It was very strange indeed, after I had drank a little all I wanted was more and more. I believe this absinthe was just the usual 30mg thujone content as described on the label.
By the time you drink enough to feel the effects of it you’ll end up being dog drunk because of the high alcohol content (most absinthe is above 45% alcohol some even reaches as high as 80%). However, they don’t regulate the amount of thujone that goes into absinthe in Canada, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. In these countries there are higher concentrations of absinthe produced.
At thujone concentrations of 100 mg and higher it’s fairly easy to hallucinate from drinking a couple of shots of absinthe.
Thujone is a natural chemical compound derived from plants and flowers (namely wormwood). Thujone has a similar chemical structure to Tetrahydrocannibinol (active ingredient found in marijuana or THC) and Menthol (peppermint odor found in many over-the-counter medicated creams). Therefore, it’s not surprising that you would be able to feel mild hallucinations from higher thujone concentrations.
I thought I should add that the traditional way to drink absinthe is to pour 1 ounce of absinthe into a glass and place a sugar cube on an absinthe spoon, which is a spoon made specifically or this purpose, and drip about 3 ounces of pure ice water over the cube so it melts it into the absinthe, once you have a 1/4 absinthe to sugar water mixture you are ready to drink it. This is the official and traditional method which has been used through out the history.
The flaming sugar cube is a method which tons of attention at the bars and is great for marketing this drink. However, it is frowned upon by most true absinthe connoisseurs.
Higher Concentrations of Thujone
King of Spirits Gold - Originally based on a Swiss recipe this Czech Absinthe has no artificial color or preservatives, and contains 100mg of the psychoactive thujone adored by some of the world’s most notorious artists and writers. Van Gogh, Picasso, Hemingway…Bob Dylan, Marilyn Manson and Eminem are just a few who used and drew inspiration from this original Absinthe and its effects.
Naturally green in color, the ‘King of Spirits Gold’ is 70% alcohol (140 proof) and is bottled with fresh herbs and wormwood that distill inside and enhance the taste and thujone content. All the ingredients are carefully selected to ensure its distinctive taste.
Zele AbsintheX - Contains a whopping 75.5% alcohol (151 proof), and a potent 111mg of the psychoactive thujone and offers a taste that’ll definitely get your attention. This classic absinthe is made from the original Swiss recipe and contains no artificial colors or preservatives. Naturally green in color, AbsintheX uses a blend of 13 herbs the most important of which are wormwood, mint, aniseed and chamomile which distill inside the bottle and enhance the taste and thujone content.
Although these higher concentrations of Absinthe are not allowed to be sold by businesses located inside the US and most of Europe. They are still legal to posess in the United States. It is also legal for customers in these countries to buy from international companies (such as AbsintheSupply) and they currently ship worldwide. All absinthe is legal to possess in the United States. With each shipment they offer a standard guarantee that you will receive your order safely.
Absinthe Supply sent me a bottle of Zele Absinthe X and I drank 6 ounces over a short period of time. It caused a very pleasant out of body experience. It felt like I had floated up out of my body and was exploring the room, flying around weightless. My body was safe, surrounded by friends sitting on a couch. Eventually I felt like I got “pulled” back into my body. It was a very strange, but rewarding experience.
I have tried Lucid Absinthe which was only like $55 for a 750 mL bottle, but the thujone content is low so you will not feel these effects even if you drink the entire bottle.
Most absinthe is between 10mg/l - 35mg/l of thujone, anything above these levels are off the hook. I have even felt trippy off of lower levels of thujone.
Not quite true, Amber. See the Wikipedia article.
Globally, most absinthe has less than 10 ppm of thujone. The European regulations and the American are the same in that respect.
Europe has an additional category for products containing 10 - 35 ppm of thujone. These should be labelled “bitters” or similar.
Products containing over 35 ppm of thujone are generally illegal in most countries. Ironically some of the products mentioned here wh
Wikipedia? That is not a good source. Anyone can edit those articles and I am sure that you have done tons of editing over there.
So if Thujone doesn’t create any different effects then why is it so heavily regulated in the USA and Europe?
Funny enough amber, it’s not. Only when it pertains to absinthe. If it were, then most of your common household spices wouldn’t be available. Neither would other liquors that use wormwood.
Thujone itself can be legally obtained in its pure form. It’s also easy enough to buy wormwood extract.
I didn’t mention effects.
And drinking water is regulated too.
SORRY ABOUT THE MIS-POST
Not quite true, Amber. See the Wikipedia article.
Globally, most absinthe has less than 10 ppm of thujone. The European regulations and the American are the same in that respect.
Europe has an additional category for products containing 10 - 35 ppm of thujone. These should be labelled “bitters” or similar.
Products containing over 35 ppm of thujone are generally illegal in most countries.
Ironically the type of products mentioned here which claim to have c. 100 ppm have been independently tested and do not even approach this level.
Who tested these products and do have proof that the are not around the c. 100 ppm levels? Show me these test results or studies?
I hear that Czech and German made Absinthe is usually of very poor quality. All quality Absinthe is made in France or on the French side of Canada (Montreal).
Apparently the author of this article has been negligent in their fact checking. Almost everything in this article is complete rubbish.
It’s been proven, time and time again that thujone is not similar to THC.
Along with that, thujone is not, and has never been, a recreational drug. In high enough doses, thujone is a poison that causes seizures, but it has no recreational value. If the author would read any of the scientific studies on thujone, they would know that, and also know that an absinthe (even at 200 mg/l) would not deliver enough thujone to recreate any of the deliterious effects of thujone poisoning.
It’s sad to see this type of misinformation still being bandied around the internet.
The molecular shape of Thujone and THC are very similar. You really can’t argue that. So they would have a similar effect on the THC receptors.
Please see the study done by Mechsler and Howlett in 1999. The hypothesis that thujone causes the same reaction as THC was based solely on molecular shape. Their study tested the hypothesis and found it untrue.
If it has the same molecular shape then the receptors will treat it the same way.
I have done my own studies (by drinking it) and found that it gives me a similar effect to THC. (See the Benny Study circa 2001-2008).
Not true.
I’ve been drinking absinthe for 15 years my friend.
Absinthe was never advertised nor spoken about as a beverage that had the same properties as THC until Eastern European producers began making those claims as a way to attract club goers to a new taboo product.
Would it surprise you that many absinthes that claim high thujone levels are misrepresenting their product? In fact, several products that advertise the highest levels actually have little or no thujone? I’ve got the reports which were commissioned by several governments within the EU.
Never underestimate the power of the placebo effect.
According to reseachers at Berkeley University thujone causes the GABA receptors in the brain to fire randomly and this causes the absinthe effect. Of course all American absinthe must test “thujone free” as that is an FDA regulation. Do you have any connections to American made absnthe, Brian? Just curious……
Yes, he does. Brian is that fat guy who works at the wormwood society. He touts all the non-thujone absinthe crap that gets through the FDA regulation.
If thujone didn’t produce any different effects than why would people drink something that tastes like absolute crap?
Actually no, I don’t. I don’t ‘work’ at the WS. I don’t get paid for any of my research, nor do I represent any specific brand, US or otherwise. In fact, my highest reviews are for brands that still can’t be sold in the US.
I like the ad hominem attack though. It shows just how little evidence you have on your side.
Properly made absinthe doesn’t taste like crap. Only the brands you mention above do. That’s because they aren’t traditionally made. They use low quality base alcohol, low quality herbs or essences, and most of them use artificial coloring. No wonder why you’re so jaded to the flavor.
Do you get any form of remuneration for “consultancy work”? or hold any exempt securities in any holding corporation that imports absinthe into the USA?
I eat a lot gribenes so I am also rather fat if that is any help
I haven’t received payment for any consultancy work done for products produced in the US. I have received payment by one product produced in France who wanted to get feedback on reformulating their brand. They have since discarded my recommendations. That is the only brand I’ve ever received compensation from.
I have absolutely no financial interest in any brand, distiller, distributor, holding corp, etc. None. I will not profit from the success or failure of any brand.
Oh, and yes, I might be overweight, but who cares? I make a lot of money at my ‘real job’, I have a hot wife and a wonderful son, and I enjoy gourmet meals, good spirits, and fine cocktails. Doesn’t seem like a bad situation to be in. My time for playing elite level rugby is over. Knees are shot.
“I have a hot wife”
Thanks for sharing that.
Brian must be blind from drinking all that Absinthe of the course of those 15 years.
Tex, thanks for the immaturity. It shows you are truly a class act.
Tell me a little more about how exactly you know my 5′5″ 100 lb ‘fat’ wife.
I think raising the subject of having a “hot wife” lay you open to these kind of remarks. It is a little unsavoury to raise the subject in the first place.
I’d say it’s more unsavoury to make ad hominem attacks instead of sticking to the actual topic.
Well we all come from different walks of life, I think that is clear. Where you come from perhaps it is normal to publish your spouse’s vital statistics in a pubic place. Vive la difference is what I say, although I do not think I will be inviting you to dinner anytime soon.
But I guess it’s fine to publish anything about my rotundity, eh?
Funny how I’m attacked for defending myself, but Tex isn’t reprimanded for the original attack that caused the rest. Actually, not funny. Just expected from people like you.
Holy….I never seen Brian get ripped on so much for stating the FACTS about absinthe unless it was Paul nathan! But to let the debate turn into personal insults is just flat out tasteless and childlike…Brian is not even really all that ‘fat’ and just some of the claims about absinthe on this page are just too funny…everything that Mr. Robinson has talked about here is nowhere close to rumours…some people just can’t be convinced (facepalm)
If you read what I said I made a kind remark in your favour. I do not know why the poster made a remark about your obesity, I only mean that it is was a little off to then mount a defence using your wife.
Rainbowitz- Where you come from perhaps it is normal to publish blatant insults about ones wife and weight that is totally off topic from what you were originally discussing in a pubic place?
(facepalm)
Wayek, I disagree with you. I’m pretty fat.
Comment by Rabinowitz
2009-09-03 20:51:44
” If you read what I said I made a kind remark in your favour. I do not know why the poster made a remark about your obesity, I only mean that it is was a little off to then mount a defence using your wife. ”
Okay I see that, my apologies for getting all re-wording your post and turning it against you and stuff on ya..
Brian - Wayek, I disagree with you. I’m pretty fat.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/wayek/facepalm.jpg[/IMG]
Not necessarily. There are quality producers in many different countries. But always exercise caution, since there are certainly plenty of bad brands out there as well. I recommend doing some research and reading product reviews.
Absinthe is a French drink.
All “real” Absinthe is produced in France. Anything else is an attempt to duplicate the “real thing”.
It’s like Champagne, all “real Champagne” is from France, anything else is sparkling wine.
Actually, Absinthe was first produced in Switzerland. It gained huge favor in France, but it was not solely a French drink.
There are many many distillers out there in countries other than France and Switzerland who are using historic French and Suisse recipes to produce absinthe that is very similar to what was imbibed upon during the Belle Epoque.
Absinthe does not have an appellation requirement as of yet. It is the qualities that the absinthe in question posesses that will determine whether it is ‘authentic’ absinthe, not it’s area of production.
Who first produced absinthe, Brian?
Rabinowitz: according to Pernod’s historical papers, the first commercial absinthe distillery was opened in Couvet. In 1805, they built a second distillery in Pontarlier.
Commercial? It was also produced by the Henriod sisters and sold commercially long before that.
The Henriod sisters is indeed one version of the history prior to the opening of Dubied Père et Fils. However, the sisters were producing and selling a remedy elixer and not the aperetif.
What? Didn’t Major Dubied purchase the recipe from the Henriods..so it must be the same thing? The papers are in the Musueum at Neuchatel I understand, ever been there?
So I assume then that you’ve examined the recipe? Would you say it was the same, and stayed the same up until its ban?
No, I have not had the time. The Pernod dynasty used the Henriod sisters as a basis for the historic authenticity of their brew and also lied about a French doctor called Ordinaire I am told.
Don’t get me started on Pernod. They are trying to rewrite history now for their current product. They are even going against their own marketing from back then.
You can go to Oxygenee’s site to read their historic marketing material.
I do not care what Pernod -Ricard are doing now, Why are you changing the subject? We are talking about the suspect claims that absinthe was “born” in Couvet.
I never said it was ‘born’ in Couvet. Absinthe has been used in tinctures, tonics and remedies for thousands of years.
What I meant to say (and obviously didn’t say well) was that the first commercial absinthe distillery was opened in Couvet. Even Pernod recognized that in their own publicity material.
“I never said it was ‘born’ in Couvet”
If you drive in the Val de Travers you will see a sign saying that it is the “birthplace of absinthe” I expect you to now contact the Swiss authroities and have that removed.
brian, what constitues a bad brand of absinthe? what is the result? is it that it tastes bad? or does it make me people sick or cause a bad trip?
A bad brand can mean a lot of things. During the Belle Epoque, bad brands were using artificial colorants and chemicals to enhance the louche, which were poisonous, such as copper sulphate.
In modern times, bad absinthe could be:
1) something that tastes nothing like historic absinthe, but uses the name to try to sell low quality, immitation product
2) a brand that is produced traditionally, but which uses lower quality ingredients or the wrong proportions of ingredients
3) etc.
Just of note: absinthe doesn’t make you trip. It’s never been produced to do that.
Just remember, literally MILLIONS of people were drinking absinthe on a daily basis throughout Europe and the US during the Belle Epoque. Aside from scientific evidence that proves what I’m saying, it stands to reason that absinthe wasn’t hallucinogenic or else there would have been widespread pandemonium.
“bad brands were using artificial colorants and chemicals to enhance the louche, which were poisonous, such as copper sulphate.”
Can you provide proof that this is true?
do the research. It’s all there.
There was widespread pandemonium surely? Do you would know what taking a trip on the “Charenton Omnibus” means? Also, was it not was first banned after a Swiss farmer went beserk and murdered his whole family? Tolouse Lautrec ended up in a lunatic asylum etc!! Are you sure you are qualified to lecture others on this subject, Brian? Get a grip of the basics before venturing out please.
And don’t forget Van Gough. He was definitely wasted on Absinthe when he cut off his ear!
That theory has also been questioned recently:
http://tinyurl.com/lxkkeg
Rab, you clearly have subscribed to the propaganda. If you would read any of the historical accounts of the events you cite, you’d realize how wrong you are.
Lanfray was used as a patsy for the absinthe temperance movement. What you seem to dismiss is the fact that, on top of the two absinthes he drank that day, he also had drank more than two litres of Piquette, several creme de menthes, and several brandies.
Lautrec had many more problems than just absinthe.
Oh, and FYI, chronic alcoholics were regularly sent to asylums, not just those who drank absinthe.
Please, do your research.
“patsy for the absinthe temperance movement”
Pure conjecture on your part, rather like saying Hitler had VD…CONJECTURE.
I believe that modern research has been published regarding Van Gogh’s addiction to terpenes. What is thujone? A terpene. The same research suggested that Belle Epoque absinthe had very high levels of thujone (I cannot recall the exact figure)
Not really conjecture, no. You can read the police report and compare it to the arguments made by the prohibitionists.
Regarding Van Gogh, you really need to get up to speed. All of Dr. Arnold’s suppositions were based on essential oil studies. He surmised that absinthe should have thujone content of approx. 260 mg/l. BUT, he did absolutely no research on actual absinthe. Nor did he account for the fact that thujone doesn’t easily carry over into the distillate. He’s admitted as much.
Actual studies that analyzed pre-ban absinthes and also analyzed modern absinthes made according to pre-ban recipes showed significantly less thujone than Arnold’s assumptions. It’s no surprise that he won’t comment on those studies, nor will he accept an interview request to discuss his research and how it pertains to the new studies.
“It’s no surprise”
Please elaborate on this point,
“He’s admitted as much”
Where? Source now please.
What more do you want me to elaborate on? The guy built his ‘fame’ on these absinthe studies and their connection to Van Gogh, and now that contradictory (more accurate) information has come forth, he doesn’t want his house of cards to come down around him.
He’s admitted as much in his own research. His studies were done with essential oils. Read them.
You seem to know quite a few sources of information about absinthe. I shouldn’t need to cite them for you.
“his house of cards to come down around him”
Gppd grief! He is a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Kansas! What “house of cards”? I have no idea what you mean. I am beginning to think that you may be slightly mad. Have you been drinking today?
Being a Professor of BioChem doesn’t mean he did his study correctly.
Let me ask you this:
Do you think a study that estimates the amount of thujone in historic absinthe should be based on essential oil studies of certain ingredients (discsrding any effect that distillation would have), or should it be based on the actual examination of historic samples and samples of current products with the exact recipes and production methods from that time period?
Let Professor Arnold answer that:
The manufacturers of “new absinthe” claim that they are in compliance with the European Commission ruling that no foodstuff should contain more than 9 ppm thujone. Perhaps to raise the titillation for the current product, and to increase sales, they now claim that the “old absinthe” also had very little thujone in it! Supposedly the current drink has very little of several other terpenoids that were part of “old absinthe” because the current producers have missed the importance of (or intentionally avoided) “steam distillation” which was key to the manufacture of “old absinthe.” Steam distillation greatly affects the composition of the batchwise distillate. Any analogy to fractional distillation (as in whisky) is totally inappropriate with regard to 19th century absinthe manufacture. The toxicity of thujone, or any other toxic compound, depends upon both the amount and the time. How much and how long. There is ample evidence to indicate that high doses of thujone, camphor, fenchone (and related compounds) over a short time evoke convulsions and hallucinations in experimental animals.
The studies that you are talking about are a joke really.
“Stability of Pulegone and Thujone in Ethanolic Solution”, Frölich and Shibamoto (1990) Under variable light and temperature conditions, pH values, and ethanol concentrations, the degradation products formed from the above chemicals were (E)- and (2)-isopulegone, the stereoisomer 8-hydroxy-p-menthones, 8-hy- dro~y-A*(~)-p-menthen-3-0ne, the stereoisomer 3-methyl-7-methylenebicyclo[4.2.0]octan-l-ols, and (E)- and (2)-5-methylene-6-methylhept-2-ene.
So, the by-products of thujone degeneration have therefore been known since 1990. Why didn’t your friend Ted (ex employee of Dixie Beer) test for these? All he did was test a few old bottles supplied by his business partner and then paid monies to release his study via a PR network. I think I will stick with Professsor Arnold of The University of Kansas and NOT Mr “Dixie Beer”
There is another huge problem with these joke studies created by Breaux, but that is for later.
Rab, get with the times. It seems like the past 10 years of absinthe history have been completely ignored. A study last year showed thujone levels in pre-ban absinthes remained stable, even after being subjected to adverse conditions like heat and UV light.
By the way, what association do you have with absinthesupply? I assume you work for them and sponsored this article?
By the way, Dr. Arnold admitted to not being fully informed about the techniques being used in regards to distillation.
“A study last year showed thujone levels in pre-ban absinthes remained stable, even after being subjected to adverse conditions like heat and UV light”
I know about that, thank you. Who produced it and why? Answer: Breaux and his cronies again and I suspect that we also both know why. If you don’t, then you are not privy to certain things that go on.
Breaux is not a serious person and is ignored by mainstream academia, although I know he cold calls sometimes. The latter point may provide an answer as to why you are similarly ignored.
You never answered my question about your association with Absinthesupply.
I haven’t been ignored, by the way.
Because you simply reprint what others tell you, you are really not worth talking to. I get the impression that you are just a gullible foot soldier, perhaps one with a title though. I would prefer to conduct this conversation with the organ grinder from now on.
There we go. Back to the personal attacks. Of course you’d resort to that once you are confronted with evidence and/or questions you don’t want to answer.
That’s ok. I’ve said what I’ve needed to say. I think the proof is in the pudding.
“”Comment by Rabinowitz
2009-09-03 21:36:30
Because you simply reprint what others tell you, you are really not worth talking to. I get the impression that you are just a gullible foot soldier, perhaps one with a title though. I would prefer to conduct this conversation with the organ grinder from now on.”"
—
So that means you’re going to stop talking now? Thank fuck for that!!
No, not a personal attack, my opinion is that you like imagine yourself as some form of authority, when all you do is repeat what others say. I have also noted that you take great pride in the fact that you know Mr “Dixie Beer” who also likes to play pretend. Imaginary worlds are sometimes not a healthy place to be.
You are further well known for jumping into serious conversations without a reason and giving details about your own wealth / status and so forth. You might like to examine why you do that? Stay healthy in mind, Brian. Be what you are and stop prancing round the web like a peacock, showing your feathers. I am sure that you have a lot to offer - I know that you have won a prize for making a cocktail for example and congratulations on that - but please stop imagining that the Lodge Porter’s dwelling is an ivory tower.
If the original authors of this research appear
then we can continue, but otherwise there is really no point in fanning your delusional flames.
I’m sure you know very well that the original authors of the article won’t show up, since it was no doubt written by absinthesupply.net. I’m also fairly certain you are connected to them in some way.
Of course I take pride in knowing Ted. I take pride in knowing all the people I know who are involved with absinthe. They are some great people.
I’m not sure why you continue to try to turn the discussion around to talking about me and my ’status’. I only give details about myself when my qualifications or knowledge are called into question. Don’t want me to talk about it? Then stop making it personal. It’s a classic tactic of trying to deflect attention away from the real topic. The subterfuge is sad, really. Yet totally expected.
Brian, I mean the authors of the research that you are always using to bad mouth L’Or products.
“I’m not sure why you continue… talking about me and my ’status’”
Only the other day you were claiming that your family are millionaires. I wonder what comes next? Maybe it’s true - but I wonder if one day you will wake up and think you are Elvis Presley.
You need to read more carefully. In either case, it was only worth mentioning because of the context of the discussion. Since the person was criticising all millionaires as being selfish and sadistic, I thought I should discuss my own personal experiences with my extended family and clients.
So now you’re saying any personal anecdotes shouldn’t be talked about if they reveal anything about the person?
The authors of the articles don’t really need to come here, to a PAID advertizement and argue what has already been peer reviewed and published in a scientific journal.
Well, it looks like a symptom of something deeper to me. Perhaps a lack of self worth and the need to impress others, seek affirmnation? Ring any bells there?
“I make a lot of money at my ‘real job’, I have a hot wife”
I am poor and both myself and my wife are rather ugly. I have false teeth, a toupe and an unsteady gait. Does that make you feel better, Brian?
I still don’t understand why you’re making this about me instead of the actual topic at hand. It’s sad and pointless.
I have no lack of self esteem, and really could care less about impressing anyone, so no, you’ve got no luck there.
And in regards to you being ugly, that’s perfectly fine. It doesn’t make me feel any better about anything. I’m no looker. But I don’t feel the need to be either.
So let’s put the personal attacks aside and either talk about the subject or stop talking at all. This is getting tiresome.
I think Brian and Rabinowitz should meet up somewhere and have a fight
my money is on Brian
You might be right Wayek!
Based on the pictures of Brian on the wormwoodsociety.org site, I would definitely say that Brian certainly has the “weight” advantage over Rabinowitz.
Ok, I missed one place. New Orleans! Ted Breaux makes some awesome absinthe down in the big easy!
Basically anywhere with a strong French influence will have good Absinthe. Even parts of Vermont produce some good blends!
Ted Breaux produces absinthe in France.
Ted Breaux also has a house, a restaurant, an absinthe bar, and a distillery in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
He lives in New Oreans much of the year.
Where do you get that information, Craig?
Who makes absinthe in Combier, France then? If Ted Breaux spends most of his time in NO?
I got that information from a magazine article and a Discovery Channel episode that they did on Ted and his Absinthe.
He might not have full ownership of the restaurant and wine bar, but he is at least a partial owner. He does own a house down there. I have family in the French Quarter and know where his house is located.
And the distillery address is?
Sorry Craig, Ted doesn’t live in NO anymore, and hasn’t since his home was destroyed by Katrina.
Ted might have moved out of New Orleans after Katrina happened. But he lived in the French Quarter off of Decatur Street which was NOT destroyed by the hurricane.
The distillery is actually in Metairie which is outside of New Orleans. I don’t have the address, but I will find out.
While you are at it, Craig, can you tell us about the absinthe produced (according to you) “on the French side of Canada (Montreal).”
So Horseshoe, are you trying to imply that NO ABSINTHE is made around Montreal? That’s completely ridiculous.
I am not aware of any.
Are there any made legally?
OMG, you guys are idiots. I went to school with Ted Breaux at the University of Southwestern Louisiana and…
a) HE WAS BORN IN NEW ORLEANS.
b) HE WAS RAISED IN NEW ORLEANS.
c) HE SPENT MOST OF HIS LIFE IN NEW ORLEANS.
d) HE GOT HIS DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY FROM TULANE UNIVERSITY IN NEW ORLEANS.
e) HE IS KNOWN FOR RIDING HIS HARLEY DAVIDSON AROUND NEW ORLEANS.
f) HE USED TO WORK FOR DIXIE BEER IN NEW ORLEANS.
Think about it you idiots. Ted isn’t even a French name. Ted is from New Orleans, period.
Do your research and stop being a bunch of morons.
“HE USED TO WORK FOR DIXIE BEER IN NEW ORLEANS”
What did he use to do at Dixie Beer, Betty? I thought he worked for the electric generators down there? Last I heard he was off to Bangkok to make absinthe with a guy called Don Walsh who runs a cathouse called “Chateau Jade” …then he showed up in Combier and started phoning journalists.
He is not even a native speaker of French.
Ted may not be a French name, but neither is Theodorus particularly Americano. If you know him so well, tell me what he did at Dixie Beer.
Betty, I never said Ted was French. His absinthe is produced in France though.
He doesn’t live in NO anymore. Not since Katrina.
If you like, feel free to email me. I could have him call you. I talk with him several times a month.
Can you ask him what he did at Dixie Beer? Betty seems to have forgotten.
No absinthe is produced around Montréal, not commercially at least, the only absinthe produced in Canada is Taboo all the way in British-Columbia. I think you are confusing the Dieux-du-Ciel brewery, which serves La Clandestine and brews beer for an absinthe distillery. And I’ve seen pictures of Brians wife, she is quite attractive.
Low Wormwood Content? Not Enough Thujone? Is it impossible to trip off your Absinthe?
Don’t fret! There is a solution!
Add some liquid LSD to your Absinthe and then you will be guaranteed to trip!
I have done this before and if I keep doing it everyone will know that you CAN trip off of Absinthe and they won’t believe Brian.
all the absinthe that brian promotes has no thujone. its like the o’douls of absinthe. that’s why he’s so opposed to the real thing with higher content. me, i prefer stronger drinks like ale’s. there is no point in drinking some unleaded brew, it’s just calories without the true effect.
Interesting, Brewers in Old England used to add wormwood to ale to give a “heady effect”
Carl, have you ever read any of my reviews? As I’ve said above, my highest ratings have been given to brands that can’t even be sold in the US.
Regarding higher content, many of the brands that you’re drinking that CLAIM to have higher content really don’t. Many of them lie about their thujone content.
I don’t promote any one brand. I have a collection of more than 500. What I do is give ratings based on what TRADITIONAL absinthe’s characteristics are. Traditional absinthe didn’t have high thujone. Have you ever tried pre-ban absinthe? If not, then how can you claim what I’m drinking isn’t the real thing.
The problem with this sardine of a thesis is that only certain marques have survived. You has no idea what the absinthe enjoyed by Bohemian retrobates was like, it was served from barrels in dive bars.
“my highest ratings”
Ha! The ego has landed.
You really don’t know what you’re talking about, do you, Rab?
My highest ratings refer to the rating system at the WS and which brands scored the best. That’s not ego, that’s what the review system is for.
And what evidence or assumptions led you to believe that the samples from the barrels had any more thujone than the bottls that survived? Why would they have so much more? What would the preponderance of the evidence lead a normal person to conclude?
Rab, the most interesting part about this whole discussion is that the majority of your posts involve criticising me as a person and smoke-and-mirrors type statements. Don’t you see how that’s making you look? Do you think you’re coming off as credible? Do you think you’re doing absinthesupply.net a favor by acting the way you are? I think not.
No, I am like Professor Arnold and the researchers at Berkeley, I do not know what I am talking about. You however do, and without any relevant academic discipline whatsover!
“no idea what the absinthe enjoyed”
Do you understand the point? You have no idea, yet you speak with certainty about a subject that you are not qualified to discuss.
My qualifications end with my studies of and tastings of the pre-ban samples that did survive. True. But even that is more concrete than Dr. Arnold’s studies, which didn’t even go that far.
Of course, I don’t have nearly as much knowledge and experience with medicine or yeasts (which is his specialty by the way), but if he’s so confident in his research, why hasn’t he gone back an done any research on real absinthe since his original study?
If you’re disqualifying me from being able to discuss the matter, then you need to disqualify yourself as well.
And you still haven’t answered my questions.
“yeasts (which is his specialty by the way)”
I was aware of that.
“my studies of and tastings of the pre-ban samples that did survive”
What studies have you conducted on pre-ban absinthe? Having a drink is one thing, but you are now claiming to have conducted a study on these samples?
No. But I’ve read studies done from samples of the same bottles. There was a misplaced ‘of’ in that sentence.
In either case, I’m sure you’ve read Arnold’s studies. Can you disagree with the point that it would be inaccurate to study essential oils instead of trying to recreate the actual production process and to study the results of those processes as well as vintage samples?
My point about disqualifying yourself still stands.
This ignores the facts that thujone DOES degrade. It is also totally impossible to recreate actual production - Artemisia absinthium has a rainbow of chemotypes. Are you aware why that noble plant produces thujone in the first place?
Also, I do not think anyone is saying that low thujone absinthe did not exist in the very early 20th century, which is where the samples likely come from. There is an historic reason for that which has been documented by Noel. In this context do not ignore my point about surviving marques and what those poets and all were actually drinking.
I also know about the adulteration argument, but historically what % do you really think these rogue products constitute?
So should I buy King of Spirit Gold or Zele AbsintheX? Any thoughts?
It depends. I would try their sample pack to see what flavor you like the best. It’s all about the taste.
I tried Zele AbsintheX and it was awesome. I highly recommend this one.
I have not tried King of Spirit Gold yet.
Awesome in what context? It bears absolutely no resemblance to absinthe at all.
Awesome as in he liked it. What has it got to do with you?
Well, since it’s advertized as absinthe, yet bears no resemblance to traditional absinthe, it has everything to do with me. Also, since it employs deceptive marketing tactics, it’s also within my wheelhouse.
After all, the Wormwood Society is a consumer advocacy organization that helps to educate the public and disseminate truth about what absinthe is, and more importantly in this case, what it isn’t.
And what it isn’t is a recreational drug. Not any more than any other alcohol. Any claims to its hallucinogenic properties are solely with the intent of misleading the consumer.
I challenge you to show me ONE scientific study that shows that any currently made absinth such as Zele causes hallucinations.
“a consumer advocacy organization”
It is not really anything of the sort. It is simply a disorderly web forum owned by a man who makes absinthe in Oregon.
It has no legal status whatsoever, but does solicit for donations, and also offers consultancy work (I understand) - something that you are involved in Brian, as you have admitted above.
Again I see that you are beoming delusional about status. Grip hard onto the balustrade, take a deep breath, and let’s celebrate the real Brian, not the imaginary one.
At least the Wormwood Society doesn’t resort to the tricks, guile and fakery of those who supplied the copy for this article.
At least Colonel Gaddafi doesn’t dye his hair, your point is, horseshoe?
Once again Rab, you show your ignorance. There is a Board of Advisors at the WS that numbers close to a dozen now, most of whom have no commercial interest in absinthe. We do not endorse any one product. It does not offer consultancy work. I was asked personally for that.
It asks for donations because there are costs involved with running the site and holding our educational events. Since no one gets paid to do anything we do for the WS, we try to defray any out of pocket expenses. I’m not sure how that’s a bad thing.
And as I’m sure you know, the WS is much more than just a forum. The main site is a huge repository of absinthe information, history and brand profiles.
Thanks for mentioning us though. Now you’re probably going to drive traffic to our site, which will in turn, probably negate this entire article’s aim of drumming up business for absinthesupply.net.
Thank you for your support!
I do not think many people are reading this,Brian. Although your bizzare remark earlier about your “hot wife” may have drawn in a few cranks. I still cannot believe that you said that - I am glad you are not married to my daughter.
So it’s in bad taste to be complimentary of my wife’s looks? She read it and laughed and gave me a hug.
Next, you’ll be criticizing me for saying I have a great son.
Perhaps you should have said beautiful? “Hot” sounds rather prurient and sleazy. As I said before, I think we come from different worlds and what might be acceptable in your world is not in mine. Where did you meet her, if you do not mind me asking?
We met in Spanish class in high school, and have been together ever since.
And yes, I find her beautiful, and one of the most intelligent people I know. Although sometimes I question her judgement when I think about how I was lucky enough to marry her.
I consider myself a very lucky man just to know her, let alone be married to her.
By the way, I think my answering all of these personal questions of yours really shows something.
1) It shows that I’m an open book, including using my real name. I don’t hide anything.
2) You aren’t an open book. You tell us nothing about who you are, use subterfuge and constantly turn away from the discussion to try to focus on me.
Doesn’t really sound like you’re too confident in yourself if you can’t even declare your allegiances and tell us who you are.
“sometimes I question her judgement when I think about how I was lucky enough to marry her”
Self-doubt isn’t healthy, Brian.
“I think my answering all of these personal questions of yours really shows something”
Yes, I also think it really “shows something” - a serious lack of discretion. Do you have a webcam at home so we could all have a good look? I assume that you have a big commorancy?
No self-doubt. It’s called a joke. I’m sure you’ve heard of them. I guess you don’t process smiley faces.
Not a lack of discretion at all. I’m comfortable answering questions, since I have nothing to hide.
You on the other hand…
Oh, and no, my house isn’t large. I have a nice, comfortable abode. I don’t need a flashy McMansion.
You like jokes already? Here is one I heard earlier.
Why is The Media Commissar of WS like an Amsterdam orgel?
1. Because he is Dutch
2. Becuase he is easy to wind up and always plays the same tune
3. Because he is noisey, vulgar and asks for money.
What is the point of burning the sugar cube over the Absinthe? Is this just for show?
Burning sugar has nothing to do with traditional absinthe. This is a technique that was employed during the 1990’s as a way to make it more attractive to the club scene.
Traditional absinthe’s flavors are ruined by the burnt sugar. I recommend that if you try this technique, you only do so with the so called ‘Bohemian absinthe’, as it is the only type that is made for the fire ritual.
Look up the herbs commonly used, and you will see there is nothing that would bring about any sort of hallucinogenic effects.
What about wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)? I understood that researchers at Berkely University had proved that it causes GABA receptors in the brain to misfire and cause auditory and visual disturbance (which might be the cause of a hallucinatory effect in some) Or am I mistaken?
Rab, thujone does not cause hallucinations. It causes seizures and epileptic fits. And that’s only in high enough amounts. The amounts found in ANY absinthe (including those with 200+ mg/l) don’t have enough to cause such effects. However, you might get hallucinations from alcohol poisoning from trying to ingest enough thujone.
Read the study I’ve already cited to see that it doesn’t act the same way as THC does.
Lucid is good absinthe for the price (around $75). It might not be top-shelf, but I do believe that it is somewhat decent.
How long does absinthe stay good? Does it age well like red wine or does it degrade with age like champagne?
Kelly, well made absinthe will last decades if stored properly. It will continue to improve as well. Ask anyone who has had a chance to try a vintage sample of something from before the ban.
Artificial products will probably not change much, since they use artificial stabilizers and essences/oils. I have some bottles of lower quality stuff that are more than a decade old and they look exactly the same as they did the day I bought them. That’s not really a good thing.
Hey Brian, what is the most absinthe that you have ever drank at once?
I never really keep track, as my intent is never to drink to excess. I drink to enjoy the flavors of whatever it is I’m drinking.
That said, I’ve had my share of benders back in the day.
You should keep track. Do you become aggressive after “enjoying the flavours” as you put it?
Why exactly should I keep track?
And no, I don’t. Why do you ask?
Just curious. Which reminds me: What about dressing up as a nun? Have you ever come across that in your dealings with the absinthe world?
No, I haven’t.
So are you now going to turn this into another forum war?
I’ve always known that people from some of the other forums go to these types of blogs just to goad me and others into having the same conversation over and over again. You really need to grow up and get a life.
This sub-divison of transvestic fetishism is an unusal paraphilia, I am therefore not surprised that you have not come over it.
Hey Brian, I am going to shove a bottle of Absinthe up your ass!
( _)(_ ) :::|]]]]
Bend Over!!!
Violence in the face of truth. The true sign of incivility and ineptitude.
In either case, feel free to try. I’m not a hard person to find.
It’s not violence if you enjoy it.
But it sounds like you would prefer sticking your dick in the bottle instead.
[[[[[[===o
Hey, you can draw pictures with your keyboard! Cool!
Can you spell booger on your calculator too?
So what can we take away from the discussion above?
Absinthe causes mild hallucinations in some people, but not in others.
Kind of like marijuana.
It is kind of like a marijuana feeling high as compared to regular alcohol. The “drunk” off of absinthe is definitely different than your regular alcohol “drunk”.
Absinthe kind of tastes like Jagermeister to me. Does anyone else agree?
I have always wondered how an Absinthe tasting bar would do here in Sonoma County. I can get a tasting room in the tourist towns of Healdsburg, Sonoma, or Napa and charge people to do absinthe tasting.
Maybe some of you Absinthe experts could give me some input on this proposed venture.
We do these types of tastings all the time. Head over to the WS for some more info.
There’s a large contingent of us in that area. I’m sure they’d love to give you some pointers.
Since it has not been clarified, we have to add that Henriods’ stuff is different from “eau de mere” of 1798 by Duval-Dubied and from 1830 on Duval-Dubied has changed that recipe as well-both recipes can be seen in Neuchatel archives and were printed or quoted in several books over the years. And although Henriods’ booze might have been crude and very medicinal-tasting at the time-take into account the knowledge’s level, the equipment, the methods, etc, etc it bears no resemblance to KOS which is just vile and unauthentic.
At last an intelligent comment worth reading! So, in what way was the recipe changed in 1830? Was there a sudden move towards using something that took away the astringency of wormwood? Perhaps I could be so bold as to ask you to look up those books and let us all know? Merci!
I think they call it distillation, mein schiessekopf.
The best, most credible absinthe resources on the web:
www.wormwoodsociety.org
www.feeverte.net
www.thujone.info
I would also add www.oxygenee.com to that list as well. Some unbelievable stuff there.
Rabinowitz is so frustrated that he can’t do anything except resort to petty, personal attacks. So much for your “arguments”, buddy.
Did you understand my point about Frölich and Shibamoto, valijean? I was wondering why the research that is championed by Brian did not take this earlier research (regarding the documented degradation products produced by thujone) into account. Perhaps you can enlighten me, valijean?
What makes you think I didn’t take it into account?
You site Frölich and Shibamoto, but even in that study, it says:
“No change in the thujone concentrations was noticed during the storage experiments in 100% ethanol and 30% ethanol at either pH 2.5 or pH 6.5. At pH 11.5 a very rapid epimerization of alpha-thujone to the 5 times less toxic beta-thujone (Rice and Wilson, 1976) took place as reported by Hach et al. (1971) and reached an equilibrium of about 1:2 alpha-thujone to beta-thujone after about 20 h. A comparison of the reaction rates at 20″C in sunlight and in the dark showed that the reaction was independent of the influence of light. At the different temperatures (100, 20, and 0 “C), nearly no difference in reaction rate was observed.”
I didn’t know that you were involved, Brian. Is this involvement real or imagined? What were you doing exactly - making Ted & David a cup of tea, or drinking the samples
Involved in what?
I understand your point, but it’s misguided (and misleading). Why do you say that it didn’t take the earlier research into account? Are you sure? Better re-read it.
At any rate, there’s a difference between establishing the existence and identity of the degradation products and determining the conditions under which the thujone will degrade.
As you may know (probably not, you don’t appear to have read the thing), the most recent research demonstrates that except under extreme temperature and/or light conditions the trace amounts of thujone in absinthe are incredibly stable.
I notice that you often suggest that the fact that Breaux and Nathan-Maister are connected with a study is sufficient cause to simply dismiss it. This is called “ad hominem“. Look it up.
You appear to be unable to actually criticize the content of studies themselves, because you haven’t the first inkling of how to read them. If you did, you may be able criticize their method or any possible unsupported speculations they might contain. But you can’t do that. You can only make personal attacks on those who conducted them and those who support them.
You also have this thing about pointing out—as if it were a flaw—that Brian, myself and others only “repeat what others say”, as if anyone who attempts to teach or communicate any information must do so by means of original research. Isn’t that kind of silly, since you keep quoting Prof. Arnold, Frölich, etc.?
Now it’s your turn to weigh in with personal attacks on my character, make homophobic and salacious allusions to my sexuality and AIDS awareness work, my pizza-joint and trattoria jobs of 20 years ago, etc.
FWIW, you’re not ugly, but that beard makes you look like you ate a badger and left the ass hanging out of your mouth.
Thanks for stopping by, Gwydion.
So do you have an opinion on the anti oxidative effect of botanicals on thujone during coloration? That seems to suggest that Swiss La Bleue’s are thujone bombs, wouldn’t it? Please expalin for me, as I know that you are an authority on absinthe now.
As for your other surreal twitter about a trattatoria and AIDS awareness, I haven’t a clue what you are on about. You are a strange guy and that’s for sure.
“Educators” who suppress information that does not suit their argument are called what?
Folks who incite & manipulate gullible online forumites and hapless “wanabee Wall Street bankers” into bad mouthing other people’s businesses for them - LTV, Pernod, La Fee, Koruna, and the list goes on & on - are called what?
Don’t you ever take the moral high ground with me, Gwydion. You are an intelligent and interesting guy, but you seem to be missing the point totally. Having said that, you were the first to realise that what Brian was doing here was not really worthwhile! For that reason, and so as not to provide any more pointless entertainment, you can email me if you want rabinowitz90 (at) googlemail.com
Another suggestion: why not hold elections for posts at your organisation? That way talented people might have a chance and the egomania might stop.
““Educators” who suppress information that does not suit their argument are called what?” - I’d call them you. We entertain all of the studies you’ve mentioned. But we also keep up to date with more current research.
““wanabee Wall Street bankers”” - If that’s a snipe at me, it’s meaningless. I don’t want to be on Wall Street. I specifically didn’t go down that path, even with job offers open to me. I prefer to be working to help individuals, as opposed to helping corporations step on the necks of individuals.
You still here? First to arrive and the last to leave! There’s still some canapes left and may I offer you a glass of pear cider for breakfast?
It wasn’t a snipe at you, why should everything be about you?
“as opposed to helping corporations step on the necks of individuals”
Do you think that Wall Street does that? It is an interesting opinion for once.
“So do you have an opinion on the anti oxidative effect of botanicals on thujone during coloration?”
Gibberish.
“I haven’t a clue what you are on about.”
You and I both know that you do.
“Don’t you ever take the moral high ground with me, Gwydion.”
A tall order considering how low you’ve stooped.
“Another suggestion: why not hold elections for posts at your organisation? That way talented people might have a chance and the egomania might stop.”
So, you’re promising to get over yourself if we hold elections?
We will eventually, that’s always been part of the plan ever since I announced I was going pro. If you paid attention you’d have known that.
“why the research that is championed by Brian did not take this earlier research (regarding the documented degradation products produced by thujone) into account”
“What makes you think I didn’t take it into account?”
??? Did you recently award yourself a chemistry doctorate and fly over to Europe? You are as mad as march hare!
Also, note what I said about degradtion products. If you want top argue the science, ask The Mother Superior to join us, MS has a better understanding than you. It may be possible to refute my point, but you do not know how.
You’ve lost me Rab. You’re making entirely too many inferrences into things I’ve said. You’re not making any sense anymore.
I don’t need to refute you any more. You’ve already been refuted, multiple times.
Plus, your lack of comportment has refuted everything you’ve said anyway. Your credibility is completely shot.
I think we’re done here. Toodles.
So anyway one of my posts got lost:
Why is the WS Media Commissar like an orgel in Amsterdam?
1. ‘cus he is Dutch
2. ‘cus he is easy to wind up and always plays the same tune.
3. ‘cus he is noisy and vulgar and annoys everyone
Do you know the answer? If so you could win a Diamond Membership of WS!! A lifetime of self-congratulation and back slappin’ awaits. To enter please write a check made out to Qasbah Inc.
Toodles
1) Not Dutch
2) I don’t see one example of me being wound up
3) Based on everything said here, it’s pretty obvious who everyone would look at as noisy, vulgar and annoying.
Thanks for playing. You lose.
Will you ban me now?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrs8CgpH980
Can’t ban someone who is too cowardly to disclose who they really are instead of playing internet tough guy behind web anonymity.
I think you would look good in clogs. I can imagine MS pumping away on an orgel, those guys also ask for money.
Rabinowitz is a fag. With a little tiny dick.
Rabinowitz, what independent, personal research have you done regarding absinthe? Give us a straight-up answer.
Why are all you absinthe obsessos, so determined to dictate how absinthe is marketed?
So someone thinks that they are going to trip balls of a $60 bottle of absinthe, buy one, and find out that they didn’t trip out. They will have learned from this experience that they can’t trip off of absinthe. Big deal.
I would just let people experience absinthe for themselves and find out whether or not they trip for themselves.
I just ordered King of Gold and can’t wait to try this shit out! I wanna see pink elephants.
Last month I drank 3 of these absinthe drinks at a bar in Brussels and I was totally tripping balls for like 3 hours. It was too crazy, I could see trails everytime anything moved in front of me, all sound was vivid and startling, my perception was totally off, and my mind wandered in all directions. It wore off after like 3 hours and was a big milder than magic mushrooms and much milder than LSD. I would recomend trying this but not if you are easily paranoid.
If you want to see pink elephants, go to the circus.
I only get mild hallucinations from absinthe that last me around 2-3 hours if I drink 6 or so absinthe cocktails in a short amount of time. This is with brands with higher content of thujone. The stuff that’s legal in the USA doesn’t do crap because it has no thujone. The FDA banned thujone due to it’s hallucinogenic properties and it’s THC like reaction against your Cannabis receptors.
Absinthe sold in the U.S. DOES contain thujone, up to 10 mg/l in fact, just like in most European countries, please research, most if not all the brands that are currently availble in the U.S. are the SAME EXACT as sold in Europe….but thujone dont mean shit in absinthe its all about the quality and taste….
Only absinthe without thujone can be sold in the USA. The FDA does not allow any absinthe containing thujone to be sold.
Very interesting article about Absinthe, I have never tried the stuff before.
I had had it last year on Harry’s bar in Paris after a few drinks of the cocktail called James Bond. Wow, it was a great experience but it was good and I could take care of myself.
Absinthe totally makes me horny… more than any other form of alcohol.
Absinthe totally changes my perception of colors and makes them seem brighter and more vivid. That is why this drink is so popular with famous artists like Vincent Van Gough.
This stuff is is like the juice of the devil - one slip and you can see the green fairy.
is the green fairy gay? i picture a gay male fairy dressing in green.