Absinthe hallucinate11/9/2022 ![]() So, in effect, the absinthe you purchase in the US is thujone free. In the US and Canada, almost no wormwood is allowed in it, except for British Columbia which is not regulated. When the ban on absinthe was lifted in the early 1900s, Europe, Canada, and the US established acceptable percentages of thujone in absinthe. Note that sagebrush (sage) contains thuja as well-a common ingredient used in cooking without issue by people every day. In fact, what thujone can do is cause convulsions at extremely high doses but you would need to drink an unhealthy amount of thujone-rich absinthe before feeling any effects from this spice. It’s a myth that revolves around thujone, a chemical found in absinthe that many have attributed to the component that induces hallucinations. The most common misconception is that absinthe will make you hallucinate! This is simply not true. This has led to much speculation and misunderstanding about the drink. ![]() One of the most infamous places thujone is found: Artemisia Absinthium (wormwood).Ībsinthe is also notorious for its alleged psychedelic effects. It is easy to make terroir-observed connections to the vegetation and landscapes along the route de l’Absinthe. Some absinthe is lighter and more floral while others are darker and earthier. Vitrac cultivates a species indigenous to the Franche-Comté.ĭistillery Armand GUY has recently been given label certification “ Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant ” (EPV), which is a sign of recognition awarded by the French state, created to distinguish French companies with exceptional artisanal and industrial know-how.Īs far as tastes are concerned, absinthe can prove a delicious drink, rich with herbal aromas, strong anise, or black licorice on the finish. Owner Francois-Laurent Vitrac sources all their wormwood from the distillery’s local garden. The distillery was created at the peak of the golden age of absinthe in Pontarlier. Copper stills and oak casks at Armand GUY Distillery Distillery Armand GUY still uses 100-year-old copper stills and oak casks in their aging processes. A rural, mountainous area with fertile agricultural valleys and thick pine forests. In the heart of absinthe country, the family-owned distillery still exists in the original location in Pontarlier, Franche-Comté-a region in eastern France, bordering Switzerland. Some European distillers grow their own plants organically as is the case at Distillery Armand GUY. Distillery Armand GUY in Pontarlier, France Absinthe was outlawed in the United States in 1912 and was illegal until 2007. Together these herbs create a concentrated, complex high-proof spirit we call absinthe.ĭistilleries have their own special recipes or “cuvée” often kept secret and handed down to new generations even through the ban. Ask any producer today and they will tell you that the “holy trinity” is wormwood, anise, and fennel. The herbs and spices used in absinthe create a distinct flavor profile that has been enjoyed by drinkers for centuries. Wormwood is part of the Chamomile family and is packed with aromatic oils. Wormwood is what gives Absinthe that unique botanical bitterness. ![]() Let’s take a closer look at the history of absinthe and explore some of the myths and legends that have surrounded it for years.įirst, absinthe is a spirit made from botanicals, most notably grande wormwood or what is called “ grande absinthe” in French. On my journey, I met with modern distillers and fourth-generation producers who shared captivating stories of family bootlegging and hard work to revive the spirit. The entire region is dotted with distilleries all nestled into the mountain landscapes of the Alps. ![]() The route extends into the Val-de-Travers area of Switzerland. ![]() On a cold weekend in January this year, I set out on a journey to the “La Route de l’Absinthe” beginning in Pontarlier, France. This unique spirit has enjoyed a tumultuous life-having gone from a medicinal tonic to a source of psychedelic inspiration and being banned for almost a century.īut what is absinthe, exactly? And why is it so misunderstood? I wanted to better understand this spirit that is never included in wine and spirit curriculums and has long been shrouded in mystery. Absinthe has a long and colorful history, dating back centuries. ![]()
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