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-   -   absinthe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/absinthe-179802/)

nemo Jan 19th, 2003 08:30 PM

absinthe
 
Can anyone tell me if I can buy absinthe in Paris? I recently purchased some antique slotted absinthe spoons and would like to serve the drink at an upcoming party-just once I promise! I had thought to try Lavinia near Pl. Madeleine but wanted to check here first for that supplier or other possible ones. Please no admonishments about the drink. Thanks in advance for any help.

Melissa Jan 19th, 2003 09:07 PM

Ya know, I don't think it is available in retail in Paris. It is only available for sale in 3 countries (or something like that) but I believe other countries are allowed to serve it.<BR><BR>http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/absi...aq.shtml#LEGAL

charlene Jan 19th, 2003 09:40 PM

actually, we have seen it for sale in Europe (Germany) in a specialty liquor store, and I thought I had seen it for sale in Paris, but that was last year....can't remember where, as I didn't buy it there. We got some here (in Germany)(in a tiny bottle)

mpprh Jan 19th, 2003 10:07 PM

Hi<BR><BR>I've seen it for sale at Geant Casino supermarkets in France.<BR>Look next to the pastis.<BR><BR>Peter<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR>

Mac Jan 19th, 2003 11:30 PM

Is the absinthe on sale not some sort of 'de-chemicalised' stuff ?<BR>I'm pretty sure that the real paint-stripper isn't sold anymore.<BR>Could be wrong though...

mpprh Jan 19th, 2003 11:34 PM

Hi<BR><BR>Seems to be the real thing.<BR>I bought a bottle in Spain recently .............. you wouldn't want to drink it all in one go !<BR><BR>Peter<BR>

Linda Jan 20th, 2003 12:12 AM

Yes, I know you can buy it in France, Luxembourg, Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic at least. Apparently, the Spanish is among the best in the world, while the French type most commonly seen is Absente which is the &quot;dechemicalized version&quot;. BTW, I believe it is illegal to bring it back into the States; I'm not sure about Canada.

Gareth Jan 20th, 2003 03:00 AM

It has nether been illigal in the UK, as no body drank it. Some bars have been serving Absinthe as a marketing tool for a number of years now but still not cought on, wonder why :).

Gretchen Jan 20th, 2003 03:06 AM

You can buy absinthe. It no longer has whatever the &quot;poison&quot; in it as of old.

Ira Jan 20th, 2003 05:05 AM

Hi <BR> You might wish to look at<BR>http://www.gumbopages.com/food/beverages/absinthe.html<BR> before inflicting it on your friends.<BR> The importation of absinthe into the USA is illegal.

Maribel Jan 20th, 2003 05:17 AM

memo,<BR>We recently saw absinthe (the dechemicalized? version labeled &quot;absente&quot;) for sale at Lavinia, the new mega-wine store in Paris on the Blvd. de la Madeleine.

mimi Jan 20th, 2003 07:12 AM

There is a pastis called absenthe but is not the real thing. I had some of the green fairy in Spain. The real stuff besides the wormwood, has a higher percentage of Alcohol. There's a book you can buy describing it's history called simply &Auml;bsinthe.&quot;

Michael Jan 20th, 2003 09:07 AM

It's available at the duty free shop in CDG, or was a couple of years ago.

Get to AA Jan 20th, 2003 09:27 AM

I recently bought some antique crack pipes and would like to have a little smoke session at an upcoming party - just once I promise. My usual supplier &quot;Crackhead Ho&quot; is currently doing 3 to 5 in the joint. Anyone know of any other suppliers. I don't think the duty free headshop at CDG stocks it anymore.

Imp Jan 20th, 2003 11:01 AM

I don't know where some of you get your information but YES, OF COURSE one can still by absinthe, both &quot;real&quot; and unleaded, generally about anywhere in Eastern Europe. Like wine or beer (or whisky) if someone is really interested and they cannot buy it in their town or village they simply make their own. Wormwood grows all over the world. Can't say about Paris but I've had the real item in London, Prague, and just about anywhere in Russia and I should guess virtually all former Soviet Block nations. Why hasn't it caught on? It tastes awful. If one drinks enough to see the Green Fairy one will have a TNT headache for the next few days. If you want to know what it tastes like go to your local supplier of spirits and order a bottle of Chartreuse, which is made from something like 30 or more Alpine spices and may actually have some positive medicinal properties.


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