From time to time the weirdest things show up. People are trying to make money out of pretty much anything. And Absinthe, the myths and rumours that surrounds it are perfect to use as a sales argument. So, in here are a few things that I've bought or recieved as gifts. All oddities that in some way relate to absinthe.
Click the thumbnails to view larger versions of the photos.
Click the thumbnails to view larger versions of the photos.
Absinthe Pastilles (Pastiglie Leone Absinthe)Absinthe candy from Italy
Now here's something I wouldn't treat kids on halloween! Imagine little candy pastilles looking like dog food pellets with just a slight hint of green. The taste is, how shall I put it, not at all candyish. They're bitter causes a bit of dryness in your mouth and they have a slight taste of anise. Well. The packaging looks much better than the contents taste but it's a fun, odd thing.
View additional photos: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04
Absinthe des ProstituéeNot at all absinthe but really funny
This was a birthday present at my 30th birthday. Two friends of mine put a great deal of effort into this. The label is fantastic! The contents... Well. What can I say. It was green. It's a mixture of Gin, Vodka, Creme de Menthe, Green curacao and added green coloring. at the bottom of the bottle lies the secret herbs! Just as in the czech "high thujone" ones! Only, this is cinnamon. Along with this beauty, they gave me a book with recipes on Absinthe based drinks only! OK, this too is homemade, and the drinks... Well, I doubt I'd try many of them. However the gift was appreciated and I promise NOT to drink it.
View additional photos: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05
Tabu Absinth Red SodaAbsinth Alco-pop from Rauter, Germany
Well, alco-pops are nothing new, but I figured I'd add this one here. If you're into alco-pops from other manufacturers such as Smirnoff, Bacardi etc, I think you will enjoy this. In the aspect of being just another alco-pop, it's fairly good and refreshing. If you think you will even come close to the taste of absinthe, you're no where near. It does smell a bit of licorice, and there is a slightly bitter finish in it, but that's it. Very very sweet, and nothing more.
Kallnacher Red Absinthe BitterAbsinthe/Martinazzi cocktail, 22% (44 proof), 1.0 liter, Switzerland
A strange but surprisingly good thing this here... The Matter-Luginbühl distillery makes an aperitif much like Campari, named Martinazzi. They also make a blanche absinthe known as the Kallnacher Absinthe Blanche. Take the two of those and mix them together and you have this, the Kallnacher Red Absinthe Bitter.
It can easily be enjoyed straight on the rocks or with soda or sparkling water. Either way this is actually a mighty nice drink! I honestly didn't expect it to much to write home about, but I am happy to say that I was wrong. If you like Campari drinks and you like absinthe I am sure you will like this.
View additional photos: 01
La Ptite Absinthe ChocolatesAbsinthe filled chocolates, Switzerland
There are several brands of chocolate that have their punsch or liqueur or coffee filled chocolates, even vodka... - but absinthe is still a bit less common. So, at the 2007 Fête d'Absinthe in Boveresse I purchased these from the good La Ptite people. So, the chocolate - how was it? Well, it was of course quite sweet but with the Ptite absinthe in them they made for some killer treats. They were actually very good and I know very well what I will be buying the next time I'm there.
So, plain and simple - if you see some, buy them.
La Reserve du Savoyard - Absinthe ChocolateAbsinthe flavoured chocolate, Switzerland
At the airport in Geneva on my way back from Boveresse I found this in one of the stores and had to buy it. Sure enough the packaging depicts a bottle of Absinthe des Alpes and states that it came first in the 2004 Absinthiades, but that just isn't quite a sign of quality. The Absinthe des Alpes is anything but a good absinthe.
The chocolate bar on the other hand was actually quite nice. A decent enough dark chocolate (for the purpose anyway) with a creamy filling flavoured with the Absinthe des Alpes. Luckily it doesn't carry too much of that brands exact taste but instead just adds a nice interesting profile to the creamy filling along with the chocolate.
It was a bit too expensive for what it was in my opinion but it wasn't bad so - yes, I would recommend you get at least one bar to try it out if you find it somewhere.
Vin d'AbsintheAbsinthe wine, Switzerland, 14.8% abv
Here's another thing I bought in Boveresse 2007, an abisnthe wine. It is composed of white wine from Neuchâtel, Artemisia absinthium, Lemon, green Anise and Clove. The mixture itself doesn't sound tempting but the price was right and it was worth a shot.
Finally finding the time and moment to actually try it I can safely say that there's nothing right about it. It has the color of a pale pastis - brownish yellow and the smell of... anything but wine or absinthe. Actually the smell reminded faintly of Swedish Glögg but the taste was far from that good.
With a bitter mouth-feel combined with the dry and acidic wine and then trying to cover that up with lemon, well - it was not a pleasant drink. Half a wine glass was more than enough and I think it's safe to say that that is all I will ever have of this.
Zotter Absinthe Duplais Verte ChocolateAbsinthe flavoured chocolate, Austria/Switzerland
Zotter is without doubt one of Austrias finest chocolatiers. Take a wonderful 70% dark chocolate and fill that with a creamy chocolate filling mixed with the classic Duplais Verte from Matter-Luginbühl and you have a wonderful treat for you or anyone you wish to spoil.
Of the absinthe chocolates I've tasted this one is definitely the most tasty and wonderful one of them all - at least this far... So, if you're a fan of good chocolate and a fan of good absinthe this is a perfect christmas gift for yourself... It can be ordered from Absinthe.de and I would truly recommend you get some!
View additional photos: 01