Wormwood dilema

Wormwood is the key ingredient used for Absinth's unique bitter taste. Many suggest it's the source of the halucinagenic properties (along with dirty, lead/copper stills.)

That being said, there are two species of wormwood used in the process, Northern and Southern. Rumor has it that the Northern wormwood was used at the turn of the 20th century and is the original Green Fairy herb. Whether or not it's used in today's absinthes is yet to be discovered by this researcher. However, I've learned from a source that the Southern wormwood is used in absinthe's stilled for the U.S. It's disappointing, I know. But until this report is solid, I'll have to keep sampling. To that I say, "Cheers."

-- From My iPhone. (Yep, it can do this too.)

LE TOURMENT VERT

A friend picked up this bottle for me at a local liquor store for a housewarming gift. The American ban was lifted in 2007 and we can now partake freely. A truly exciting time.

Le Tourment Vert, hails from France and is delicious. It's another absinth who's focus is on quality, rather than getting drunk. It has a 100 proof alcohol content so it's easy to swallow when shooting.

If you add water, Le Tourment Vert does not cloud, which is something I find entertaining with most absinths, leaving me a little disappointed with this one. But, it won't keep me from buying it myself. It's one of the few absinths sold in America that contains true wormwood, giving it the original absinth flavor.

Because it was purchased as a gift and it was local, I can only estimate the cost as being $20 - $40, well worth it when you consider importation from other countries.