How I started with absinthe
Published by on May 19th, 2009 2 Comments »
I don’t remember how I first heard of absinthe, but if I had to guess, it would probably be through art. The stories and images of the influence and importance of absinthe in art are plentiful. Given that art was my first love it seems a logical introduction. But let’s fast-forward, shall we?
I have never been interested in drugs, yet the mystique of absinthe held my attention. I tried a few substances during my time in art school (not many didn’t) but in the US, absinthe was rarely discussed even in these art-saturated circles. I drank, and drank some more, but drinking common liquors impaired me in a way I was never comfortable with, even now. I didn’t realise there was anything better until a few years later.
I’m sure I was exposed to film and media representations of absinthe over the years and the imprint surfaced when in the mid 90s I saw a mysterious bottle on the bottom shelf of my local grocery store’s liqueurs shelf. It was expensive but came with a funny little spoon and instructions on the label. It was Absente Absinthe Refined. I didn’t care for it at first, not being a fan of liquorice flavours, but I persevered, and developed a taste for the stuff. More than that- I had developed a taste for the sensation it created. I encouraged friends to try it, describing it to them as ‘drunkness with clarity.’ Most disliked it. It was also inconvenient; absinthe was not sold in bars and in order for me to have my drink of choice I often made a small water bottle of it and pretended it was Crystal Light or some nonsense. (Funniest smelling Crystal Light you ever did smell!) This worked for awhile, but I wanted ‘the real stuff’ – I needed to import something illegally.
I made contact with someone online and she required I phone her for an interview of sorts before purchasing. I still think it all a bit over the top, but I understand that her legal position was precarious and I was not the one at risk from Customs. I ordered a bootleg bottle of Suisse La Bleue for $200 USD as well as a silver-plated spoon. The Absente spoons were adequate, but a special bottle deserved more than chrome. The bottle came in a ropy false label claiming to be for ‘aromatherapy’ purposes. The absinthe was my first non-green absinthe and my first taste of a pure European recipe. It was divine!
I could not afford to continue with that seller’s services, but the seed was planted. Now, more than a decade after that first taste of absinthe, I have sampled around twenty varieties (perhaps I should list them in a post soon). I’m no expert on absinthe, nor will I ever pretend to be. I’m a small-town American girl who fell for the fairy, and it is my drink of choice. I’ll review and comment on the things I know about, but if you’re new here to Absinthe Hour let me tell you there is a wealth of very technical information out there. If you have one of those sites, I’m happy to exchange links.
Today I’m off to London for a ticketed event held by LeNell’s. It’s an absinthe event and I’m curious about what we’re in for. I’ll be taking notes and photos, and perhaps a little video if permitted. Stick around for a full report.
2 Responses to “How I started with absinthe”
See you there!
Looking forward to it!