Absinthe is legal now, right? Well, not so fast. Maybe, and probably are the best answers I can come up with now. You see, while the TTB has indeed approved three brands (Lucid, Kubler, and Le Tournment Verte) for import based on thujone tests, the 10 ppm ancient testing methodology and their labeling, that's not the whole story.
To begin with, they (TTB) appear to have made a choice in accepting the older testing methodology with the 10=0 error margin, but leave open the possibility of implementing and accepting newer testing methods at any time. This, of course, would shut the door that has so happily been opened right away. Second, the "law" hasn't actually been changed, just an interpretation of a test and a more liberal labeling acceptance has been implemented. So, as far as the Customs Bureau goes, for example, imports of anything with artemesia absinthium are still excluded. Plus, as far as I can tell, they intend to begin paying more attention to those other imports, although only time will tell if it really has any impact on individual shipments from European firms.
All in all, not exactly the clear cut declaration of "Mission Accomplished" that some people think it is (most ill informed bloggers and traditional news outlets), but I suppose we shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth so to speak. If some time goes by and things stay calm, we may just have a stable situation for awhile with the occasional new brand being approved and prices beginning to fall over time due to competition. Here's hoping.
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