Originally posted February 14th, 2008
East Village Wine and Liquor decided to ring in Valentine’s Day with a free absinthe tasting. Gothamites could swing by to sample French-made Le Tourment Vert. Critics are split on its less traditional flavor, which subdues the wormwood flavor.
Also today, Marilyn Manson’s Swiss-made and lazily-named absinthe — Mansinthe — was roundly bashed by wormwood cognoscenti. Its olfactory charm was compared to “sewage water.”
Bound for LA in just over a week, I wanted to try St. George Spirits’ Verte, the first American-produced absinthe since the U.S. ban was lifted last year. But the concoction from Alameda is limited to a 3,600-bottle run and retails at $75 per 750 ml. Ouch.
Imported absinthes available in the U.S. include Lucid ($60), Kubler ($50), and Absinto Camargo ($35). BBlessing is also getting in on the trend with new absinthe spoons and a gift set.
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
