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Absinthe

Absinthe is the drink that needs little introduction, its reputation precedes it more than that of any other spirit in the world. La Fée Verte (The Green Fairy), as it is known, is distilled from the herb Grande Wormwood an ingredient used in many herbal drinks, including Bitters.

Absinthe is usually bottled at very high strength and it is made with neutral alcohol and various herbs. Traditional variants are made with white grape spirit, though absinthes are often made using alcohol distilled from grains and potatoes of beets. The three main ingredients, sometimes known as the “Holy Trinity”, are Florence fennel, Green Anise and Grande Wormwood. Other flavourings include star anise, angelica, coriander and nutmeg.

Absinthe comes in various styles, including Blanche (also known as la bleue) which is bottled immediately after distillation and is clear in colour. Verte absinthe is coloured with a mixture of herbs post distillation, and Verte absinthes are similar to the Spanish Absenta – which differs in slightly in flavour (the addition of Alicante anise brings added sweetness). Bohemian Absinthe, often known as Czech-style absinthe, is made with very little or no anise or fennel, relying on wormwood for its flavour – it also has a very high alcoholic content.

Absinthe has been portrayed as a dangerous intoxicant—even a narcotic—though its infamy has also been a blessing in disguise since the drink has gained an almost mythical reputation – with all sorts of suggestions of hallucinogenic effects and visions of green fairies and the like. The blame is usually centred on the chemical thujone which, if present, is only found in very small quantities.

It was also, incorrectly, purported to be a cannabinoid (a narcotic compound present in a drug with a similar sounding name). This is untrue, and thujone is allowed in certain foodstuffs in the EU. Studies have also shown that there are only minute quantities of it in absinthe.

Absinthe was paraded as the poster boy for the temperance movement (a shunning of alcoholic drinks). All sorts of woes and social immoralities were blamed on it. Vincent Van Gogh was famously said to be intoxicated with absinthe when cutting his own ear off and the drink was famously enjoyed by such eminent figures as Toulouse Lautrec, and even Oscar Wilde. Whilst much of the controversy surrounding absinthe is factually inaccurate, we would recommend that, due to its high alcoholic strength, it be drunk diluted and in moderation. It should be treated with respect!

The French Method of drinking absinthe involves the traditional slotted absinthe spoon. Absinthe is poured into the glass first. Then the slotted spoon is placed atop the glass with a sugar cube on it. Using a slow drip fountain, water is gradually dripped onto the sugar cube, and into the glass, until the cube is dissolved. The spoon is then used to stir the drink. Note, it will become cloudy thanks to the Louche Effect.

The Bohemian Method (We recommend you do not attempt this – it’s rather dangerous!) involves using a traditional heatproof absinthe glass, absinthe is poured into the glass, the slotted spoon is placed on top of the glass and an absinthe-soaked sugar cube is placed on the spoon. The sugar cube is then lit, and the cube is dropped into the drink and allowed to burn out. This removes some of the alcoholic content, as well as things like eyebrows and fringes (note – not a recommended grooming method).

Did you know? Thujone is not exclusive to absinthe; there is actually thujone present in many herbs, including sage.

Hapsburg Absinthe Classic

50cl, 72.5%
Hapsburg

Hapsburg Absinthe Classic is made using the traditional absinthe recipe, which includes grand wormwood, creating some fantastically refined and unmistakable herbal aromas that have made the green…  More info

Hapsburg Absinthe Classic
1
£33.94
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St. George Absinthe Verte 20cl

20cl, 60%
St. George Spirits

This is a 20cl bottle of St. George Absinthe Verte, made by infusing brandy with star anise, wormwood and fennel, then distilling it, and then a second infusion of mint, tarragon, opal basil, lemon…  More info

St. George Absinthe Verte 20cl
£24.95

Devil's Botany London Absinthe

50cl, 55%
Devil's Botany

London-based Devil’s Botany has crafted its own absinthe! It's distilled with 14 botanicals, with classic wormwood, anise, and fennel seed, along with lemon balm, meadowsweet, peppermint,…  More info

Devil's Botany London Absinthe
1
£38.94
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Bareksten Illsint Absint

50cl, 60%
Bareksten Spirits

From the same folks who brought you Bareksten Gin, here comes a slightly stronger spirit. Produced at Norway's Oss Craft Distillery, Bareksten Absint sports a punchy 60% ABV. Their sleek, black…  More info

Bareksten Illsint Absint
5
£44.94

Psychopomp Absinthe

35cl, 61%
Psychopomp

Here we have an absinthe from those Psychopomp folks over in Bristol (a psychopomp is a being who escorts the dead to the afterlife). This absinthe contains hyssop, dill seed, anise and fennel seed…  More info

Psychopomp Absinthe
1
£31.95

La Fée Bohemian Absinthe

70cl, 70%
La Fée

La Fée Bohemian is a more modern style of absinthe based on the spirit made in Bohemia back in the early 1990s. This is a more herbal style of absinthe, with less anise used in preparation, and as a…  More info

La Fée Bohemian Absinthe
5
£45.74
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Sweetdram Wild Absinthe 2022

35cl, 46%
Sweetdram

The creators of Edinburgh's first absinthe are trying an approachable take on the notorious green spirit. Attempts to undo its unfair reputation include botanicals picked from an on-site distillery…  More info

Sweetdram Wild Absinthe 2022
£28

Hapsburg Quartier Latin - Black Fruits of the Forest

50cl, 53.5%
Hapsburg

A lower strength flavoured absinthe from the Hapsburg Quartier Latin range, flavoured with "Black Fruits of the Forest". A sweet and intense spirit from the popular absinthe range.  More info

Hapsburg Quartier Latin - Black Fruits of the Forest
1
£45.29

La Maison Fontaine Blanche

70cl, 55%
La Maison

Created at Pontarlier in the Jura mountain range to the east of France, La Maison Fontaine is a superb clear abinsthe which won a Gold and a Best in Class at the International Wine and Spirit…  More info

La Maison Fontaine Blanche
2
£56.74

Combier Blanchette Absinthe

70cl, 60%
Combier

A white absinthe from the French town of Combier that has been produced by the Combier Distillery between 1899 and 1915, and then again in the same stills since 2006. Made in the traditional ‘Swiss’…  More info

Combier Blanchette Absinthe
£49.95

Treguddick No.2 Absinthe

35cl, 72%
English Spirit Distillery

Inspired by Swiss absinthe comes this English absinthe from English Spirit's Treguddick distillery in Cornwall! A whole load of herbs and spices are distilled – think wormwood, anise, fennel and more…  More info

Treguddick No.2 Absinthe
£30.95

Quaglia Assenzio

70cl, 72%
Antica Distilleria Quaglia

An absinthe from Italian liqueur and grappa producer Quaglia made with wormwood, coriander, mint, camomile, angelica and fennel seeds bottled at 72% abv.  More info

Quaglia Assenzio
£52.74

Eternal Absinthe

50cl, 69%
The Gin Kitchen

Distilled to 69% ABV, Eternal Absinthe was created by Gin Kitchen with an addition of rose petals, which change the colour of this variety, which can also be called a red (rouge) or pink (rose)…  More info

Eternal Absinthe
£59

Liquoristerie De Provence Versinthe La Blanche

50cl, 55%
Liquoristerie de Provence

A vacuum distilled absinthe from Liquoristerie De Provence, made using a blend of 20 plants. It's not as green as you might expect an absinthe to be - in fact, we could probably go so far as to say…  More info

Liquoristerie De Provence Versinthe La Blanche
£39.95

Mythe Absinthe

50cl, 69%
Distillerie Des Terres Rouges

Based on traditional recipes, this is a classic French distilled absinthe made with wormwood, anise, and other aromatics (some botanicals are macerated, others go into the copper still). No sugar is…  More info

Mythe Absinthe
£32.63
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Mr. Jekyll Absinth

70cl, 55%
Mr. Jekyll

Mr Jekyll is bottled at a relatively 'low' strength of 55%. Low, at least, for an absinthe. If you wanted a softer introduction to the green fairy, this is a good place to start.  More info

Mr. Jekyll Absinth
Best Seller

Green Tree Absinth Fairy

70cl, 70%
Green Tree

Green Tree Absinth Fairy is a rather strong Czech absinthe, bottled at 70% ABV. Made with a plethora of woodland herbs and spices. Please be aware that some bottles may be slightly tacky on the…  More info

Green Tree Absinth Fairy
1

Hapsburg Absinthe XC - Cassis

50cl, 89.9%
Hapsburg

A cassis-flavoured, extra strong absinthe from the Hapsburg brand. Juicy with notes of blackcurrant joining the intensely herbal flavour profile. At 89.9% ABV, you're definitely going to want to…  More info

Hapsburg Absinthe XC - Cassis

Two Birds Absinthe

70cl, 70%
Two Birds

A little birdy told me you hadn't joined the absinthe renaissance yet. Well it turns out he and his mate make their own from a blend of wormwood and aniseed, which they bottle at 70% abv to lock all…  More info

Two Birds Absinthe
2

Green Tree Absinth Devil

70cl, 70%
Green Tree

From Green Tree comes... A red absinthe! This Czech absinthe has been bottled up at 70% ABV, features a bright red hue, and a flavour profile packed to the brim with anise, alongside a medley of…  More info

Green Tree Absinth Devil

Versinthe Absinthe

70cl, 45%
Liquoristerie de Provence

While not as strong as many absinthes (they're often seen sitting around 60% abv), the Versinthe Absinthe still contains a heaping dose of star anise, herbs and pleasantly bitter notes. It is also a…  More info

Versinthe Absinthe
1

La Fée Blanche Absinthe

70cl, 53%
La Fée

A fabulous, sweet, herbal, old-fashioned white absinthe, La Fée Blanche is based on an old French recipe from the 1800s, produced in conjunction with the French Absinthe Museum. Don't be put off by…  More info

La Fée Blanche Absinthe

Redux Absinthe

75cl, 65%
Golden Moon

A well-made absinthe from Colorado's Golden Moon distillery, inspired by the distiller's years of research on the contentious spirit.  More info

Redux Absinthe

Mansinthe

70cl, 66.6%
Mansinthe

Mansinthe is an aptly titled absinthe created by the one and only Marilyn Manson! Produced in Switzerland, this absinthe has been made using wormwood alongside a selection of other classic herbs and…  More info

Mansinthe
2

La Pontissalienne

50cl, 56%
Distillerie Guy

A subtly relaxed absinthe from the Distillerie Guy, a name long associated with top quality absinthe. For the La Pontissalienne, they've created an expression that aims for a good balance between the…  More info

La Pontissalienne
£39.95
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