Absinthe Blog

How does Czech absinthe differ from traditional absinthe? The world is in the midst of a new surge in the popularity of absinthe in general, but is important to differentiate between real absinthe and the faux types. This is not to insinuate that Czech-style absinthes are never the real deal; however most generally they are lacking certain key ingredients: namely, anise. These varieties have come to be known as Bohemian-style as they are produced in the Czech Republic. They often are called absinth, the lacking “e” at the end signifies the Bohemian-style recipes.

While traditional absinthes are named after grande wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), they contain a relatively small amount of the plant by volume. The main ingredients of traditional absinthe, named the “Holy Trinity” by connoisseurs, are wormwood, fennel, and anise, with anise being the predominate herb. Thus anise also lends absinthe its dominant flavor. Czech/Bohemian absinths generally lack anise or contain very little.

The primary component that all absinthes contain is ethanol – common drinking alcohol; and they contain it in large amounts. Czech absinthes also contain wormwood, which when combined with ethanol is extremely bitter. Traditional absinthes such as those produced in France and Switzerland are not bitter, but yield a much smoother, anise-flavored experience. In essence, Bohemian-style absinths are not really absinthes at all. They are simply wormwood-containing ethanol marketed under the guise of traditional absinthe in order to reap the profits generated by the new surge of absinthe consumption.

Another important difference in Bohemian-style absinths is that they are generally not produced by the process of distillation. They are simply high-proof alcohol or vodka cold mixed with herbal extracts and tinted with artificial coloring. Traditional varieties are distilled and twice macerated herbal/alcohol blends. In order to compete in the ever-discerning market of absinthes, some Czech absinthe producers are embracing the traditional methods of distillation/maceration along with traditional ingredients, thus breaking away from the Bohemian absinth stigma.

Although the liquor known as absinthe was officially discovered by Dr. Pierre Ordinaire, a Frenchman, he was in Switzerland at the time. For that reason the Swiss claim a shared ownership of the famed juice. When the thujone-containing beverage became known as “madness in a bottle”, the international community banned the sale and distribution of it. Swiss absinthe was banned in 1910. It was actually disallowed in the country’s constitution. In the year 2000 it was removed as a constitutional illegality, but remained illegal according to common laws of the land.

As of May 1, 2005, the ban was lifted in Switzerland completely. This was a direct result of the international trend to again embrace the hard beverage. The Swiss government saw an opportunity to generate revenue from heavy taxation on the enormously popular drink. Thus the legal production of traditional Swiss absinthe was reestablished. A tradition and history of quality distillation was reborn.

Swiss absinthe, along with several French varieties is known as the finest the world has to offer. Few countries, including the US, still disallow the production and sales of the wormwood-based intoxicant known to many as “The Green Fairy”. However, a distinct difference in the Swiss varieties lies in the fact that they are not macerated with chlorophyll-containing herbs which offer absinthe its green hue. These colorless varieties of absinthe are known as La Bleues. The Swiss are said to have left these varieties colorless during the period of absinthe prohibition because of the fact that is was easier to hide them as compared to their green-hued counterparts.

As with many Swiss products, the Swiss produce their absinthe with great care for quality and authenticity. They generally employ a combination of the “Holy Trinity” of ingredients: wormwood, fennel, and anise. They also utilize traditional methods of production, specifically the distillation process. True, traditional absinthe must be distilled in the opinions of absinthe connoisseurs because this mellows the extremely bitter nature of macerating wormwood and ethanol. So grab a bottle of high-quality Swiss absinthe and imbibe today! According to the Swiss, that’s how it is meant to be experienced.

Jade’s PF 1901 is one of the most popular in the entire world. Jade absinthe is also the most widely sampled of all the pre-ban absinthes in the world. The PF in the title of this Jade absinthe stands for Pernod Fils. This Jade absinthe has a history that accompanies its name: “PF 1901 takes its name from the year in which the original Pernod Fils distillery in Pontarlier caught fire. When the distillery was rebuilt and repaired, out-dated alembics were replaced by the most modern equipment of the time. The old alembics were either destroyed by the fire and sold for scrap or sold off to smaller distilleries. The Combier Distillery purchased two of these 1100 liter stills and installed them along with the 8 smaller stills which had been a part of the distillery since 1894. The importance of this history and especially the authenticity of these two circa 1870’s alembics were not overlooked when T.A. Breaux chose the Combier Distillery in which to make Jade vintage absinthes clones.”

Jade absinthe has history on its side for being a great choice when choosing an absinthe. Its regal history, not to mention its great recipe make this a clear choice when compared to other absinthes. This absinthe has a taste that is smooth and crisp, that is accompanied by a wonderful herbal aroma. Like most absinthes, the absinthes that come from Jade have a high alcohol content that is served best when diluted. This Jade absinthe has a history that is sure to please those that it is served to at the next reception or meeting. Jade’s regal background, coming straight from France, is sure to please even the most particular absinthe drinkers that take great pride in the liquor that they are consuming. Jade absinthe is always delivers a great, high-class product.

Absinthe King of Spirits is a unique absinthe drink that has unmatched quality around the world. This famous drink was developed from the original Swiss recipe, but has strong influences from its Czech distillers.

Absinthe King of Spirits is the bottle to choose if high quality is the aim of your purchase. Absinthe King of Spirits is a Czech made product that contains no artificial colors or preservatives. The makers of Absinthe King of Spirits make sure to choose the highest quality herbs and essential ingredients. This process creates a unique strong-tasting absinthe that all are sure to love.

The reason why people like King of Spirits is because it’s a high-quality absinthe that contains 70 percent alcohol by volume. Absinthe King of Spirits also contains 10 mg/kg of thujone.

Absinthe King of Spirits Gold

This is it, right here. Absinthe King of Spirits Gold is one of the highest-quality absinthes that can be purchased today—it is also one of the most powerful of all the different kinds of absinthe. Absinthe King of Spirits Gold is the bottle that every absinthe connoisseur needs to complete the collection. This fine absinthe contains 70 percent alcohol by volume like its companion Absinthe King of Spirits, but this one is different in the amount of thujone that it contains: it contains 100 mg/kg of thujone! This is a very great amount similar to the legitimate absinthes that were being made in the 19th century.

Both of these great absinthes are bottled with fresh herbs and wormwood that distill inside the bottle. This important process leads to enhanced taste as well as greater thujone content. This creates a taste that is distinct and unique. This is the brand to choose if you are looking for a high-quality, superior absinthe that others look on with definitely envy. Absinthe King of Spirits is a good choice if you’re an avid absinthe drinker, but is also good if you’re new to the drink as well.