Cheap puns and expensive liquor, yes siree, that’s what we are about here at Absinthe.com.au

Doubs Premium Absinthe has been on Australian liquor store shelves for a while now and probably overdue for a review.  Presented in a nice giftbox, this 500mL rectangular based bottle is adorned with a screw-cap printed with fleur-de-lys motifs, and so named after the region of Doubs at the base of the Jura Mountains in France, known historically for absinthe production (albeit the product is actually from South Africa). The product is 55% alc/vol, a little lower than some, and claims 7.4mg/L thujone - which is also a little at odds with the “maximum thujone” claim on the front label, which would be 10 mg/L.  But as we all know, the thujone content is not and should not be the determining factor of a quality absinthe, don’t we? (Repeat after me those thinking otherwise…)

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Industry intel from the Just Drinks media group alert us to multinational wine and spirits behemoth Pernod Ricard announcing that it will support emerging visual artists, through a competition featuring its Pernod Aux Plantes d’Absinthe Superieure brand.

The contest will award its first place winner $1805 US in cash with a second place prize of $500 and third place $250. There are plans for a celebratory event to be run concurrently with The Armory Show, the annual international art fair, in New York City.

Brian Eckert, Pernod brand manager for Pernod Ricard USA is quoted as saying “Pernod has been a strong supporter of the arts since the brand debuted in France more than 200 years ago” - a statement I am sure is true if you count keeping bohemian artists in constant creative lubrication.

“Since its debut, Pernod has been a favourite drink among the cultural elite including Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and Poe. We thought it fitting to honour this relationship with a contest that celebrates the artist in us all.”

While some may suggest that these cultural elite were also regarded fringe degenerates by polite society in their time, certainly Pernod Ricard as a modern company are doing their bit to support the arts so they are putting their money where their mouth is.

Interested artists must submit only original works, and all works submitted must include the date 1805, the date the brand was first launched.  Submissions are being accepted until the end of  January, 2010, in the following categories: painting, illustration, photography, video, digital/animation.

Submissions will be accepted entirely online at www.facebook.com/pernodabsinthe.

Important news update antipodean absintheurs of Sydney!

Sometimes investing in an expensive bottle of absinthe does require a little bit of trust - wouldn’t it be good if you could try a range first before making that decision?

Well now you can.

Those providores of Parisian perfection at Absinthesalon have opened a shopfront and imbibing premises of distinction on 87 Albion Street, Surry Hills. With a large range of absinthes to sample, at very reasonable prices, I’m not sure why you are still reading this and not out the door. Or on a plane (if you are interstate)..

Why am I haunted by bad eighties tunes when I write these things? Ahem.

Fellow absintheur, you can no doubt be aware that many a fine cocktail establishment are making a mark for themselves, not only on the Australian stage, but yea verily, on the global stage.  And signature absinthe cocktails are contributing to this success.

You will hear more about such establishments in coming weeks, but I want to first highlight a major event just passed in Ol’ New Orleans - Tales of the Cocktail , an internationally acclaimed gathering of the literati and glitterati of the mixological world, including  the Second Annual Wormwood Society Grande Soiree d’Absinthe.  Honestly, if you want to get to know your absinthe (aside from us of course), join the merry folk on the Wormwood Society Forum. They are US based but many an antipodean does frequent its hallowed halls.

Matthew Bax - De Raum Owner and Artist

Now, why this particular event is so special is that over the last couple of years, Australian establishments have made something of an impact - last year with 1806, and this year with De Raum, two establishments who have made absinthe part of their cocktail raison d’etre.

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While I’m usually loathe to compare bands to other bands or artists that have similar sounds – as a point of complement I am happy on this occasion to say the first time I heard Jai Pyne’s voice, lead singer for Sydney band, The Paper Scissors, I pictured a strange experiment that somehow involved cross breeding David Bowie and Frank Black. Granted one would not engage in such profane genetic manipulation for visual aesthetics but perhaps for more profound musicality one would dare to play God a little.

The Paper Scissors have just released their new E.P., ‘Howl’ on the eve of a national tour, which can be downloaded from all good electronic stores like iTunes.

The E.P. title track ‘Howl’ has a certain rocky balladeering sentiment, haunted octaval lyrical treatment, with a somewhat kooky, but highly appropriate discordant backing vocal that fits nicely amongst this rock number.  This is followed by the new-wavish bass driven ‘Soldier’ that regularly jumps sideways into a pleasing pseudo-swing style chorus.  The E.P is complemented with 3 remixes of Howl – the Cleptoleptics brings the vocal structures and interplays more prominently into the fore amongst a more reserved IDMesque blip track. The E.L.F Remix is almost flocking with seagulls and may be the least adventurous treatment.  The SPOD Remix is practically a different song altogether, a conveyer belt of electronic grooving and widget twitching with electro-interference treatments that playfully pummel around the vocal refrains. Certainly the most interesting of the remixes.

I think that while the songs had great capacity to be played ‘safe’ – the risks that are taken make them musically much more engaging than many recent Australian bands coming out of the stables.  While getting good exposure of late on JJJ, with the lads on tour it is an excellent time to see them live, and grab yourself a copy of the E.P.

Absinthe Jade Edouard 72%
Reviewed 15 May 2009

Jade Edouard, in its relatively short life, has become quiet a phenomenon. This absinthe was created by Ted Breaux at Jade Liqueurs as an answer to Edouard Pernod, the pre-ban classic absinthe. Though not all absintheurs have had the opportunity to judge for themselves, anyone who has tasted the Jade Edouard will tell you the modern version is one hell of a fine absinthe.

Jade Edouard 72

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Now you can hallucinate under the Green Fairy’s spell on your next Trans-American flight.

At least this is what the media coverage would like to suggest, with the news that Sir “Getting It Up” Dicko Branson will be serving absinthe on Virgin America flights in First Class and Cabin Select.

Just which absinthe has the pleasure of becoming a born-again Virgin?

Le Tourment Vert.

While the trademarks have been registered in Australia, we are yet to see this product on Australian shores, and to be frank we aren’t salivating in anticipation at Absinthe.com.au.  While this brand has been making big media in the US, with some big promotional dollars - amongst the absinthe intelligensia we learn that the biggest fundamental faults with the product is that it doesn’t louche and is artificially coloured to buggery. The flavour profile leaves a lot to be desired as well.

Probably no wonder that Virgin are using it for cocktails rather than any traditional preparation.

Oh, but it gets better. The inaugural absinthe cocktail - The Mile High - is a creative mixological opus that combines Tourment Vert with Sprite lemonade. With a wedge of lemon.

With Virgin about to launch their international service in Australia, I sincerely hope that Australian flyers are not short changed into losing their ‘absinthe viriginity’ to a second rate product that many are even questioning as to whether it deserves the moniker.

You’re on notice Dicko.  Don’t make it an experience we’ll all regret next morning.

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An event fast becoming noteworthy on the calender in terms of absinthe is the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

It is true that in previous years that the (lack of) knowledge and discernment has been reflected in the absinthe products that have surprisingly received awards.  Oh, don’t get me wrong - I’m sure the judges selected have been experts in their fields in wine, mainstream spirits and cocktail creations - bit the relative obscurity of absinthe in the commercial mainstream until quite recently can only raise the question as to what the basis of comparison was for some of the decisions?

We have moved on a bit - and perhaps the most fascinating trend to emerge from the competition is the proliferation of new American absinthe products from artisan distillers throwing their hat into the ring (and relative absence of high end European brands with an exception or two).

While most of these products are not yet available in Australia, it is a good idea to become familiar with the new offerings emerging in the American markets, and ponder whether we might see something of the Old World-New World divide emerging in the future, not unlike wine.

Gold Medal Winner

Vieux Carre Absinthe Superieure, Pennsylvania, USA

Silver Medal Winner

Obsello Absinthe Verte, Spain

Bronze Medal Winners

Redux Absinthe, Ohio, USA

Leopold Bros. Absinthe Verte, USA

Versinthe Absinthe, France

Jade Nouvelle-Orleans Review 30 March 2009

Jade Liquers Absinthe has had a near mythical status over the past 10 years.  Literally meeting the oft-imagined archetype of mad scientists retro-engineering original absinthe with modern technology, the Jade portfolio of absinthe has had a very difficult birth.  Through government stalling, fluctuating business relationships,  frequent beating of the piñata of popular absinthe myth - the drinks affectionately known to many as Breaux’s Brews (after Jade’s founder Ted Breaux, scientist, absintheur and chiselled Val Kilmer look-alike) is subject of a tale I’m sure that will be told by a skillful raconteur still to come.  Unfortunately many of us involved in the proto-revival are not at an arms-length to the Jade story.  Many were recipients of early clandestine versions, some were avid supporters, some hardened critics.

Even fellow editor Mr Maxwell and myself were subjected to hours of consuming an early version of Jade in a steamy Bangkok summer at the infamous ‘Chateau Jade’ where some early distillation development occurred by the proprietor - but I assure you dear reader that we were there for the good company, Thai food and absinthe, not the dominatrixes in cat suits.  (But they certainly helped the atmosphere of decadence).

That brings me to the actual tasting of Nouvelle-Orleans….

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Absinthe Duplais Blanche 72°

Matter-Luginbühl Distillery

Reviewed 8 Dec 2008

sans sucre

Quite simply, Absinthe Duplais Blanche is beautiful. It is smooth, alpine, refreshing and altogether bloody good.

What, that’s not long enough? OK, it is also delicate and refined, and certainly not the sort of thing you’d splash about on newbies or reach for halfway through a well-lubricated party. This one of those absinthes you keep at the front of the cabinet, but only get out when you’re feeling reeeeally generous. Or want to show off. Or are flush this month. Or have a craving.

Actually, I’m having one now.

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