Look no further than the ol' Drunk himself..namely me..

After EXTENSIVE research, and no matter what Reg may tell you..there is NO true Absinthe..ANYWHERE..especially in the US.

What is marketed as Absinthe, comes mainly out of Czechoslovakia,and at varying exhorbitant prices.  When analyzed for biochemical ingredients, it is mainly high-powered ethanol (alcohol) and nothing else, aside from food-colouring (usually green..which was the colour of Absinthe).   Now here's the catch.   Absinthe itself, was largely alcohol, but had another ingredient close to wormwood, a form of turpine (yep..turpentine).  It was the turpine that was linked to the additional psychomimetic effect of Absinthe, though there is no earthly way that can be substantiated, since the percentage of alcohol in Absinthe was VERY high..akin to Alcool (legal in Canada..at 100%), or Moonshine.

Now, Van Gogh and his buddies and contemporaries did drink Absinthe..but the buzz was largely alcohol, and NOT secondary to the Turpine component..    He did lick his paintbrushes, soaked (as most oil painters) with turpentine and related..and thus may have formed an addiction/passion to this compound, but you will NOT find it in ANY Absinthe sold world-wide..believe me...I have searched this exhaustively.

If you want the Absinthe taste, and about 99% of the "feel" of Absinthe..drink PERNOD.   It is as close to the "real" thing as you can get..and available anywhere in the US.   I love Pernod...but it is really a "summer" drink...lovely on ice.  It causes one to wax philosophical, and think like an itinerant philopsopher..hell, you might even begin painting, having no a priori knowledge that you could do so..

For my choice though...the  only "outlaw" alcohol, that is worthwhile is to be found right here in the US..namely Moonshine.   Mr. "B" visited my office today,.  He is 83 years old, and has given me, on occasion a sample of some of his stash.  Right up there with the good things in life.  I'd recommend most of the highgrade shine from NC or Tennessee.  I have NO experience with varieties from the great state of Kentucky.  The only warning with "shine" is to check the source.  If it's pure,and unadulterated...you will have no finer experience...anywhere.   The intoxication is unlike any other..and has a distinctive euphoric, nearly opiated effect.   If taken in moderation, NO hangover.  Reason being, there are NO Fusal (?sp)Oils..unlike whiskey or gin. 

Also..Moonshine is NOT illegal..anywhere.  This is contrary to popular mis-belief.  The only reason there was ever a problem, way back when, is that if too much is distilled...the Feds want their tax.   Stills that were busted were "illegal" stills, for selling while avoiding tax..NOT for production of an illicit product.  Shine is not illicit, and you can check numerous sources which show that is true.  There are even sites that can show you how to make your own. 

Now..for something truly fine, which makes all of the above somewhat hollow.  U NEED to sample some Eaux de Vie.   Now...this I can assure is the Nectar of God Almighty.  They are made world-wide, and are the distillate of pure FRUIT.  Often, they appear clear, but the taste..is truly "orgasmic".  The best emanate from Europe, and especially Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany, and France.  There are one or two distilleries in Northern California (they seem to have everything there).  For my money...this is the ONLY way to go.  This includes Grappa  and associated..They are NOT Liquers. 

I have an article for you, published in JAMA, entitled "Van Gogh and the Thujone connection". It is all about the biochem and pharmacology of Turpines, and Van Gogh's love of Absinthe, but I will need to dig it up.  In the meantime, Mr."B"'s moonshine is beginning to hit me..and I am having trouble seeing my computer screen...but blissfully so.  

As my late friend Jerry Cussin would say, "May the Saints serve and  protect ye'",

Eugene