Starting in May of 2007 there are two brands that offer authentic wormwood absinthe for sale in the United States, Kubler and Lucid. These two companies went through the arduous process of getting their products approved for importation with the U.S. government.

These two brands are authentic absinthe made from grand wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) in the old style. That's why it's notable.

There are imposters which are just strong booze as you describe (often called absinth without the e), but these two brands, Kubler and Lucid, are authentic.

For more info on determining real absinthe from absinth-like products, see www.wormwoodsociety.org

That site also explains how to prepare the absinthe (with the spoon, sugar, etc.)

I picked up a bottle yesterday and gave it a try as I've always wanted to, and it was interesting. Definitely heavy on the anise (licorice) flavor, so if you don't like that, stay away. The "secondary effect" of being a bit more awake than a normal booze buzz was interesting but nothing extreme.

 

I never saw flying green men either, and I've tried it outside the US.

Strong drink....just not a fan of the taste in the least

 

I bought the $60 bottle of Lucid. Awesome, is a way to describe it. I throughly enjoyed it!

 

Yep I have a bottle of that on order (placed my order online before I realized BevMo carries this stuff). The bottle I already have is the Kubler - it's interesting but I have nothing to compare it to, I'm looking forward to getting the bottle of Lucid so I can see if there's a difference.

 

I've never had Absinthe before, but it was a great, and I plan on getting more eventually.

 

This is my friend Jarred's company. A brilliant idea on his part, he was on The Big Idea with Donny Duetch a few months back chatting it up.

Can you guys say Team Speed Group Buy

 

I could see this becoming a very trendy thing overnight and resulting in big sales, I don't supposed Jarred's company is traded on the stock market

 

I am up for the group buy DJ! I was interested in trying this after I saw him on the Big Idea. I figured I wait until I found a bar that carried it and I didn't have to buy the whole bottle but a group buy sounds fun!

 

Based upon my taste test, Lucid is better than the Kubler in my absinthe-newbie opinion.

 

No not public but don't be suprised if a big corp comes and buys him out at a huge # ... I am hoping for him anyway