Is "true" Absinthe legal now?

Question

I noticed a sign in the liquor store today that advertised "Kubler Absinthe, legal after a 100 year ban"(exact wording on the sign). Is hypnotic Absinthe now legal?

Answer 1

Yes, if you listen to the salesmen. No, if you listen to the scientists / Fed Govt:

Scientists / Fed Govt:

"They are playing pretend," study co-author Wilfred Arnold says of the liquor's new cheerleaders. "It is nothing like the old stuff. Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007 Time Magazine (Professor Arnold, University of Kansas.

"TTB'S POLICY REGARDING THE USE OF THE TERM "ABSINTHE"

Thujone-Free.

We approve the use of the term "absinthe" on the label of a distilled spirits product and in related advertisements only if the product is "thujone-free" pursuant to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) regulation at 21 CFR 172.510"

Further, American distillers may not even call their product absinthe, but only use the word as a “fanciful term” modifying some other word. They can sell “absinthe verte” or “absinthe superieure”—but not plain old absinthe.

To counter this "problem" a study was produced which ignores the fact that thujone degrades and has already been exposed as nonsense. This has not stopped it being spread using PR websites. You will see it quoted by vested interests who ignore the fact that the authors are: (i) the  distiller of Lucid Absinthe and (ii) an absinthe ecommerce company.

You decide.

Answer 2

Yes, it is. But don't let anyone tell you it isn't the "real thing" or it isn't "true" absinthe. It is more true to original absinthe from the 1800's than what we've been able to get, even from Europe, for the past 100 years.

"True" absinthe is a myth...it never actual existed. Originally a lie started by the French wine industry when absinthe sales and a grape shortage were driving many family vineyards out of business...later picked up and spread by The Temperance Movement here in the US.

It was said that absinthe contained 50-60ppm (parts per million) of a substance known as thujene. Recent chemical testing on vintage unopened bottles from the late 1800's purchased at estate sales show that it contained 5-6ppm and no more than 10ppm*. What absinthe has going for it is one h**l of a kick...at 70% alcohol it is nearly double that of your average liquor (40%).

*Interestingly enough, the current US regulation require absinthe for sale in the US to contain no more than 10ppm.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24371992/

http://www.absinthe.se/default.asp?load=...

Answer 3

a version of it is but its not the same as what was availabe 100 years ago.