Lucid Absinthe
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Last year I wrote about a new Absinthe that had made its way to the States but as usual only in NYC and California. Well last weekend I decided to check the website again and low and behold it was available in MI. According to the website the closest location was in Ann Arbor so last week we made a trip out there to pick up a bottle. The store had 2 other brands of Absinthe available but all were at premium prices. After buying my bottle I checked Holiday Market in Royal Oak who had the Absinthe $10 cheaper than what I paid. Mind you its still expensive but it is also a bottle that you will not drink in one night. This Absinthe clocks in at 124 proof and contains all the botanicals and wormwood that were banned years ago. The ban was lifted after a scientist proved that the levels of wormwood could not and do not elicit hallucinations. You would have to drink a couple bottles to reach the level and by that time you would be dead. We haven't opened the bottle yet, I was going to wait for my birthday but that is still a month away and I don't think I can wait that long. Once I do I will post a review for all of you...
Posted by mardenhill 9/13/2008 12:31:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Liquor
Good News For Michigan Distillers
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Currently there is a bill on Gov. Jennifer Granholm's desk allowing artisan distillers to purchase a license to sell and provide tastings of their product onsite instead of going to the state's liquor control. At this time distillers have to purchase a $1000 a year license and only sell their alcohol thru the state, this bill if signed will drop the price to $100 and give the option for tastings and local sales. This is great news for the state and Traverse City which has a few of the 11 artisan distillers. Little by little MI is turning Traverse City into its own "Napa Valley" and I hope this trend continues. I hope to get up to the vineyards next month and visit a few of the new ones that just opened this year.
Posted by mardenhill 6/26/2008 09:33:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Liquor
True North Cherry Vodka
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
I wrote about the Grand Traverse Distillery a few months ago but had never had a chance to try their product. We received a bottle of their True North Cherry Vodka for Xmas and opened it last nite. Right away I could tell this was going to be a full flavored spirit just from the aromas coming out of the bottle. I chilled about a half shot just to try and loved it. The cherry flavor is huge and the vodka goes down smooth. We mixed it with some cherry grape juice we had and it made for an excellent cocktail. Besides drinking some great vodka you are also supporting a MI company which can only help our state. Don't forget to check out their updated website below.
And while we are on the topic of MI, look for the opening of Forty Five North Vineyards this year. I read about them a couple months ago and from what I have seen this should be a great addition to our growing line of MI winerys.
http://www.grandtraversedistillery.com/products.html
http://www.fortyfivenorth.com/
Posted by mardenhill 1/01/2008 04:27:00 PM 1 comments
Labels: Liquor
True North Vodka
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
I am not a premium vodka fan, as long as its not Smirnoff or 5 o'clock then I am usually ok with it. My liquor of choice is gin where I tend to be more particular with my brands. This vodka caught my attention due to its Michigan connection. The distiller is up in Traverse City and the vodka goes by the name True North. Unfortunately no website but you can read about them at the links below. The vodka is a Polish style made with local ingredients and at $30 a bottle better be damn good. Its just one more thing that can be promoted along with Michigan's vineyards which can only help our current economic woes. Due to state regulations you cannot buy directly from the distiller but it should be available in fine liquor stores.
http://forums.detnews.com/wine/columns/silfven/details.cfm?id=412
http://www.countrylines.com/2007/06/14/vodka-maker-cant-bottle-his-enthusiasm/
Posted by mardenhill 9/11/2007 12:32:00 PM 1 comments
Labels: Liquor
Absinthe Back In The States
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Its been a long 95 years but the wait is over. Absinthe is finally legal in the US once again. We are not talking about some knockoff bottles but the original stuff made with real Grande Wormwood. Now the myth of hallucinations from the stuff was just propaganda used to ban the drink, modern science has debunked that theory. You would have to drink multiple bottles of the stuff and at 62% I don't see many people making it thru even one. While in London I was able to try Absinthe which was one of those things I have wanted to do for years. I did find out that there is the classic French style and a Chech which is more minty like Listerine. I preferred the French style and thats what Lucid is. I drank the Absinthe in the traditional method with a sugar cube and cold water dripped over the top. It turned cloudy and a bright emerald green. From some articles I came across it looks to be $60 for a 750ml. This may change from state to state but it is something I would invest in. As of now its only in New York but Lucid promises more distribution throughout the US. The website has a very interesting FAQ which answers all your questions regarding this exotic elixir.
http://drinklucid.com/
Posted by mardenhill 7/05/2007 04:44:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Liquor
