All About Wine And Its Goodness!

There are a number of countries where Absinthe can be legally traded. Gone are the times of bootleg or clandestine Absinthe, when it had to be distilled in secrecy, shipped from other countries or labeled differently. In most countries it is not a crime now to distill Absinthe.

Absinthe is a herbal liquor which has an anise taste. It is usually served diluted with iced water, which causes the famous louche effect, and was a popular beverage in the 19th century. It was made illegal in many countries at the beginning of the 20th century because of concerns about the chemical thujone found in wormwood. Not only was Absinthe an intoxicant,but it was also perceived to be an hallucinogen.

The medical profession and prohibitionists claimed that Absinthe contained large amounts of thujone which they alleged was psychoactive, like THC in the drug cannabis, and could cause psychedelic effects. We now have evidence that Absinthe contains small amounts of thujone and is equivalent to any other strong spirit. if consumed in excess, It may however give you a very different type of drunkenness. The alcohol when combined with these unique blend of herbs act as both a sedative and a stimulant – very strange. A number of people described it as a “lucid” or “clear headed” drunkenness.

Countries where Absinthe is legal include:-

United States – Absinthe was banned in 1912 but in 2007 a few brands of Absinthe were approved in the US because of their low thujone content. The USA only allows “thujone free” beverages to be sold but Absinthes with less than 10 parts per million of thujone (less than 10mg per liter) count as thujone free.

The EU – Absinthe was legalized in the EU in 1988 with restriction in thujone content. Up to 10mg/kg of thujone is allowed in alcohol with more than 25% alcohol by volume, and up to 35mg/kg in alcohol labeled “bitters”.

Australia – Absinthe drinking is legal. Bitters can have a thujone not more than 35mg/kg and other beverages can contain up to 10mg/kg.

Brazil – Absinthe is legal but should not have over 10mg/kg thujone and that it should have less than 55% abv.

Canada – From March 2007 separate Canadian province liquor boards regulate thujone. Many provinces mark thujone containing alcohol to be sold as illigal however Absinthe is legal in British Columbia, where there is no limit, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. Quebec and Ontario legislate 10mg/kg thujone in Absinthe is legally acceptable.

Czech Republic – Absinthe was never banned in the Czech Republic.

France – France famously banned Absinthe in 1915. French law of 1988 allows thujone beverages to be sold if they comply with EU laws and if they are labeled “spiritueux à base de plantes d’absinthe” and not Absinthe. France also has stringent regulations with respect to fenchone which is found in fennel, widely used in Absinthe, hence beverages should have fenchone less than 5mg/liter.

Hungary – Absinthe is legal.

Israel – Absinthe appears to be legal and on sale in Israel.

Ireland – thujone containing Absinthe is illegal to buy and sell but can be imported for personal consumption.

Netherlands – Absinthe received a legal status in 2004 after being banned in 1909. Absinthe needs to be compliant with EU requirements.

New Zealand – Absinthe is legal.

Portugal – Absinthe was always allowed.

Russia – In Russian market High thujone Absinthes (up to 75mg/kg thujone) are available.

Serbia – Serbia does not seem to allow Absinthe containing thujone or above 50% abv to be sold.

South Africa – Absinthe enjoys legal status as of 2005.

Sweden – Absinthe is legal and should be labeled as wormwood. The Absinthe kit site is located in Sweden.

Switzerland – Absinthe was legalised in 2005 after banning it in 1908.

UK – The UK never banned Absinthe. Absinthe must comply with EU legislation.

As now known there are many countries where Absinthe can be legally enjoyed. You may want to make your own Absinthe using Absinthe essences from AbsintheKit.com. These essences are used for making authentic Absinthe and can be shipped world wide. They do not require distillation, that has already been done for you, and so are perfectly legal. Check these out.

Tags: clandestine Absinthe, countries where absinthe is legal

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 21st, 2009 at 5:35 am and is filed under food and wine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.