I'm not going to question the fact that Gene has done exhaustive research...I'm beginning to think he's drank just about everything including the cleaning fluids kept under the sink...Are you related to Keith Richards or something Gene? However there are some holes in Gene's absinthe info...which I'll address but what I find sort odd...or maybe frightening is what led you to ask me there Triple E? I mean...I may have mentioned absinthe here once...I think...I may have but I'm not sure...but I don't think I ever promoted it's use or that I drink it...

 First from Gene's info...do not buy product from the Czech's...if you research this you'll find you can buy Hill's and have it at your door in about a week...it has been described as drinking Windex from what I've read...I never tried it because I was told a long time ago not to drink it. Also, Gene is not correct about the Czech's making most of what's sold as absinthe. There are good and what I will term "fun" products available from both France and Spain. These you can also acquire with ease...the thing is this stuff is a fad right now so it's actually easier to get than what you might expect. 

Other parts of the world also make and sell absinthe products but as Gene has pointed out...this stuff is not what Van Gogh drank and also varies drastically in quality and content. Probably the most sought after version of Absinthe is from Switzerland...if you can find it and are really interested. They produce a La Bleue that has what most people trying to track down absinthe are looking for...namely a higher thujone content than what is legally allowed. Not to get scientific but here's the breakdown:

Most stuff sold as Absinthe: 0 mg/kg thujone content

Most decent stuff from France or Spain: 10-20 mg/kg of thujone content

Swiss La Bleue Absinthe: 55-75 mg/kg thujone content...but they will usually tell you somewhere over 70

What Van Gogh drank: 260 mg/kg thujone content

So, to some extent what Gene said is true...most stuff that you can buy is not what I guess you would call the real thing. The thing is these numbers are not so important and are all really just estimates. I guess what you what to drink the stuff for is the factor that most comes into play...and the answer in most cases is just to try it.

So, here's what I'd recommend if you're really interested in giving this stuff a whirl. Buy a bottle of  La Fee or Mari Mavans 70 if you intend to do this sort of as a party thing with a few people. These two are pretty cool and the thing about this stuff is you're not going to get wasted on it...that's not at all what it's about...Gene will assist you with moonshine or Everclear to destroy you if that's what you're after. Ha just kiddin' there Gene but you certainly could write a book on gettin' folks wiped out.

 A friend of mine is a chef and he brought back stuff each time he went to Spain...the reason I recommend the Mari Mavan 70 is because when we had our absinthe party that was the stuff that impressed everyone...not because it get's you screwed up but because when you louche...which means pretty much to drip ice cold water into your absinthe...usually over a sugar cube but you don't have too...this stuff goes from green to cloudy white...that's the show. To be honest when you introduce this stuff to new people that's the fun of it...that you put on this show. Best done in a dark room by candle light...but enough candles so they can see what's going on...and the choice of background music also matters...I'll burn you a CD for this ceremony if you'd like. Lastly be aware that this stuff comes in small bottles so you're going to want to keep your party small.

Now, the last thing I'm going to say is that when I was in France and Belgium people did introduce me to stuff that was not what you can buy. So, I will say this...they never stopped making the real thing they just stopped selling it. It's really not party stuff it's a drink you would either indulge in alone or in limited company. I will also say the stuff from Switzerland is better than the rest. Not that I indulge in any of this with any frequency. The thing to remember is this stuff is sipped and prepared slowly...it's a relaxing take your time sort of deal...so I really think it's not Gene's cup of tea...he's more the guzzle a jar of hooch and moon  people from his window while blaring Gordon Lightfoot...and screaming obscenities between Bukowski quotes...