Absinthe: Is that Absent with a Lisp?

There is a lot of mystique and intrigue around Absinthe. The spirit was banned in the United States at some point in the early 1900s due to its apparent effects on the mind. The chemical thujone was thought to be to blame for the hallucinogenic effects on heavy Absinthe drinkers but recent studies found only large amounts of the chemical caused a physical reaction and even then, no hallucinations. I don't think it was the Absinthe that was the problem. The clue there is heavy drinkers. Jack Daniels has the same effect.

My guess is that Absinthe was branded as a hallucinogen because it was favored among creative types. They claimed to create and think differently while intoxicated. These folks are naturally prone to thinking outside the box when sober. Absinthe just happened to be their drink of choice.

I'm sure there are die-hard fans of Absinthe out there that would disagree with my opinion. The reason for disagreement would probably come from the desire to protect Absinthe's mystique. I don't blame them for wanting to protect its history and reputation. Drinking Absinthe is an experience. After all, Absinthe has its own specially designed glass, artistically designed slotted spoons and step-by-step processes and recipes that are all part of the intrigue that is the Absinthe experience. Because of the steps involved with preparing the drink, it has a ritualistic feel that only adds to its mystique and magnetic effect on those who are susceptible to enjoying ritualistic encounters.

For those of us who are just plain curious about Absinthe, its flavor and mixing possibilities, Viridian LLC released a brand of Absinthe with a dose of thujone that is low enough to pass US requirements bringing authentic Absinthe back to the US for the first time in almost 95 years. Currently, it is in limited supply in New York with plans for more significant quantities throughout the summer as well as online sales.

Shubies

If you live, work, or play anywhere near Marblehead, MA, stop by Shubies on Atlantic Avenue. My wife and I were driving through Marblehead one day and decided to stop at a nearby pub for a quick lunch when we noticed the "Best of Boston" sign in the window of a very plain looking building. Normally, I wouldn't have gone out of my way to investigate but something was calling my name. After closer inspection, I realized my name was being called by the contents of this amazing store. You enter the store directly into the very well-stocked wine section and continue toward the food section which starts with an unbelievable display of cheeses from all around the world. As it is with any respectable cheese shop, they let you try before you buy. The difference with the incredible staff at Shubies is that they don't wait to be asked. They are very eager to suggest cheeses, open them up and serve you a slice. It's a great marketing tactic due to our purchasing of several cheeses I would not have considered buying or trying. This tactic works well for their prepared food section as well. We tried all sorts of chicken, potato and tuna salads, grilled shrimp and a number of other things. Needless to say, we didn't eat at the pub. We chose a sampling of our favorites and sat down at one of only three tables at the window. After lunch we continued our tour. We only made it half way though the store. The rest of the store consists of a very small but very well-stocked deli display, an excellent collection of desserts and breads, a coffee and tea section, lots of packaged goods which were all available for sampling and last but not least a kitchen gadget section. A lot is packed into this space. I highly recommend you visit the fine folks at Shubies. Just make sure you do so on your way home as you'll need to refrigerate your purchases.