It surprises me at times that Absinthe still retains its demonized reputation as the spirit with psychoactive properties which cause partakers to become dangerously addicted, notoriously psychotic or violently behaved. That’s rather harsh and to the extreme, but opinions regarding Absinthe are as varied as they are ridiculous. Upon visiting a bar that carried Absinthe products I asked the bartender what he thought of them. His reply was Absinthe was exactly like the reputation of old, meaning it made people a little crazy. He then gestured with his finger suggesting it had even made him a bit loopy. I have sampled and reviewed many Absinthe products and not one has ever had this effect.The theories about Absinthe with the beginning of the ban around the time of the Temperance Movement have been proved false. The wee amount of Thujone present in Absinthe is in such small quantity its vilification as harmful has been highly overstated. In fact part of the movement to ban Absinthe to begin with stemmed from competition from the wine industry.
French soldiers brought the herbal beverage back to the cafés of Paris where it became fashionable and more cost effective to consume than wine. As it became more popular the wine industry took action and formed an alliance with the Temperance Movement and demonized its rival. The United States prohibited Absinthe in 1912 and France followed the same course a few years later.
Viridian Spirit’s Lucid became the first authentic Absinthe made with real Grande Wormwood to be legally available within the United States once the ban on Absinthe was lifted after ninety-five years. According to Viridian, they “negotiated with the government that Lucid was created from Absinthe-making techniques used over a century ago, and the result was not only a genuine, historically accurate product, but one that met all U.S. regulatory requirements.”
Imbibe Magazine featured several Absinthe products in its January/February 2008 edition. There is an excellent article online by Paul Clarke with several Absinthe brands. However, search as I might I could not put my fingers on one particular piece Imbibe featured comparing brands that I received in the mail this past year. Lucid did very well in that match up with a higher rating that most.
Lucid Official Tasting Profile
Lucid is characterized by the upfront flavors of anise and fennel, followed by mild mid-palate, earthy textures attributable to the absinthe (Artemisia absinthium). The coloring herbs round out the flavor with additional spice and grassy notes, which linger in a moderately long finish.
While Lucid and Absinthe in general is excellent sampled in the traditional manner with the cold water process dripped over a sugar cube, it is also extremely versatile. Since Lucid’s flavor profile is not as drastic as other Absinthe varieties it becomes a nice ‘starter’ Absinthe for those dipping their toe in the waters of French history if you will. Since Absinthe’s revival this spirit has gone beyond the flitting Green Fairy classic to modern cocktails and shooter varieties, none of which will turn the consumer into a ‘Green Monster’ if consumed responsibly.
Experience Absinthe for yourself with the following Lucid cocktail recipes found in the photo drink recipe slideshow featuring classic cocktails and a few modern martinis.
Links to more Drink Recipes & Photos slideshows by spirit categories.
The Intoxicologist on Twitter: @intoxicologist
www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved
Comments
"Lucid’s flavor profile is not as drastic as other Absinthe varieties"
Other absinthe varieties! LOL You mean like the real absinthes from Europe? Lucid is a "made for Americans" "thujone free" copy for the gullible masses.
Vicky - thujone has been proven with modern chemistry to have little to no effect (this is even mentioned in the article above...did you read it?). So you can have 100ppm thujone and it won't make you feel any different than the 10ppm that is in Lucid and other real absinthes just like it. Ask any chemist if you can hallucinate from thujone and they'll tell you that you would have to take so much that you would get sick before you would hallucinate. Have you done research yourself or are you
Vicky is partially correct though - Lucid Absinthe is made to appeal to the masses, regardless of the thujone level. The bottle alone shouts to teenagers and young drinkers around the world. A well made, non mass marketed absinthe from France will definitely enchant you like none other. Lucid does a fine job in cocktails as does any low end spirit in a mixed drink does.
-AbsintheMan.com
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