I cheated, a bit. In between when I started this list and when I finished it I already completed this item. And I knew it was going to happen—the absinthe had been purchased and the date was set, so this was a gimme. However, this had been on my list for a long time, so I don’t feel too bad.
It had been a vague goal, since tasting the Green Fairy would have required me to travel overseas. But! A few months ago, the US finally decided to allow absinthe again, so I can legally drink it at home. (See wikipedia for more information.)
So, a friend picked up the bottle at the local liquor store and we had it…and it is wonderful. We tried it in a variety of ways. First, the traditional with a dissolved sugar cube and ice-cold water. Second, mixed with equal parts whiskey and gin. Third, as an “absinthe-bomb” with Red Bull. Fourth, straight. The results: excellent, okay, good except the aftertaste, and okay.
I liked it enough that I looked into ordering some online to perhaps get better quality or at least have some variety. Based on this research, I believe there’s only one American company manufacturing absinthe and they sell it for $75 a bottle and sold out their first run. Ordering from Britain or Germany is possible, but very expensive due to the shipping…usually doubling the price of the bottle. I did, however, find one company in New York who will ship for free on orders over $50 (which is fine, since they have no absinthe under $50) but lacks selection. Probably end up doing it, though, just to try a different brand.
So, for the time being, I have to stick with the stuff the local store stocks. It sells for $45, and I got two bottles yesterday. I tried it with not-ice-cold water last night and was not impressed. It has a strong anise flavor and is 110 proof (though some absinthe goes up to around 160 apparently). I don’t know if it’s the strength or something about the liquor itself, but three drinks (probably about 4.5 oz Worth) had me buzzing pretty good…it usually takes whiskey about 8 oz. to get me that good.
I imagine that absinthe will cut into my whiskey drinking, since it’s an equally good sipping beverage and has enough flavor and quality that I like it even if I don’t get drunk (though that is a benefit of it).
I recommend giving absinthe a try if you like anise flavor. Given the expense of the bottle, though, go in with someone else to at least defray the initial cost in case you don’t like it. That’s what we did—four of us split the first bottle.
Plus, you get some pretty awesome spoons. And, really, how cool is it to be able to tell people you’re an absinthe drinker?
