Friday, February 1, 2008
Absinthe (don't burn it)
People, Everclear is for burning, not absinthe! I'll not spend any more time on this subject, just to say that every time I see one of these photos I can't believe the class doesn't shatter, and I imagine it just ruins the spoon as well.
Zwilling, Absinthe
I pay attention to the Flickr group Absinthe every so often, I think it's a somewhat useful guide as to how the pendulum is swinging with regard to "how" people are drinking and "what" it is they're calling absinthe. If this pic is any guide, we're doing just fine.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Is it really truly legal?
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.
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.
Friday, January 4, 2008
And just like that...
There appears to be a nice thread starting over at the Wormwood Society Forum (may need to join to view this):
http://wormwoodsociety.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=3255&hl=
about, of all things, defining absinthe.
http://wormwoodsociety.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=3255&hl=
about, of all things, defining absinthe.
Update and some thoughts
Well, I'd have to say that my initial idea for this blog didn't really go anywhere, for one very important reason. I had a quick chat with one of TPTB in the absinthe community, and for the moment it didn't really serve any purpose to create yet another arena to the debate of the moment to continue.
But, two things come to mind now. First, that development temporarily left this blog without a purpose in life, so to speak. Second however, if I may say so myself, the "inside joke" cleverness of the title of this blog compels me to make something useful of it. So, another brief delay while that concept gets developed, and I'll be back on the weekend with more thoughts.
But, two things come to mind now. First, that development temporarily left this blog without a purpose in life, so to speak. Second however, if I may say so myself, the "inside joke" cleverness of the title of this blog compels me to make something useful of it. So, another brief delay while that concept gets developed, and I'll be back on the weekend with more thoughts.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
A Fresh Start
What exactly is "Absinthe Defined"? Well, I have my ideas, but this blog isn't really about them. The reason for this blog is to give voice, and a fresh start, to the debate over what absinthe is, and is not. In the time frame between now and the beginning of 2008, I'll be sending out some invites to various "online personalities" active in the internet-absinthe sphere. I intend to host a debate, for as long as it takes, to get to the bottom of some key questions.
What are those questions? Well, they're not going to be questions about spelling differences and conspiratorial time-lines. They are:
What should the definition of the drink commonly known as Absinthe be?
What is the difference between Absinthe, and Absinth?
More generally, why is it important to make a distinction?
This may go nowhere, or it may take off like a rocket. We'll see if anyone responds to the invitations, and let the debate begin.
Oh, a couple of housekeeping notes. First, they'll be no editing of comments, no deleting of comments, and screenshots of posts may be kept, posted on www.feeverte.net and www.wormwoodsociety.org for proof, safekeeping, what have you.
Second, this blog has one purpose, and only one purpose. It doesn't matter what TV shows you watch, which absinthe you like, or what country you're from, we won't be discussing any of that.
So...I'll get back to this in a couple of weeks and we'll see.
What are those questions? Well, they're not going to be questions about spelling differences and conspiratorial time-lines. They are:
What should the definition of the drink commonly known as Absinthe be?
What is the difference between Absinthe, and Absinth?
More generally, why is it important to make a distinction?
This may go nowhere, or it may take off like a rocket. We'll see if anyone responds to the invitations, and let the debate begin.
Oh, a couple of housekeeping notes. First, they'll be no editing of comments, no deleting of comments, and screenshots of posts may be kept, posted on www.feeverte.net and www.wormwoodsociety.org for proof, safekeeping, what have you.
Second, this blog has one purpose, and only one purpose. It doesn't matter what TV shows you watch, which absinthe you like, or what country you're from, we won't be discussing any of that.
So...I'll get back to this in a couple of weeks and we'll see.
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