Few alcoholic beverages are associated with as many legends, rumors and myths as with the “green fairy”. However, real facts are lost under all this informational noise, and it is not at all easy for an ordinary person to choose absinthe for a noisy feast or individual tasting. We will consider what factors beginners need to focus on when buying a drink.
1. Fortress. It should be from 70 degrees or higher, if the alcohol content does not reach the specified value, in front of you is wormwood liquor, but not real absinthe.
On imported bottles, not the usual percentages or degrees, but “proofs” (proof) may be indicated. To find out the strength of an alcoholic drink (any, not just absinthe), simply divide this figure by two. For example, 80 proof equals 40 degrees.
2. Name. Usually indicated in the language of the country of production, that is, Absinthe in France, Absenta in Spain and Italy, Absinth in the Czech Republic. If you see some other spelling, two options are possible:
- you are holding a fake;
- the name is deliberately changed to allow a liquor that does not meet the formal international requirements for absinthe to be produced. In any case, this is not real absinthe, but one of the imitations.
3. Color. The classic absinthe is emerald green, but there are also clear, red, and black varieties. What should alert: cloudy suspension, sediment, additional elements in the bottle (herbs, visible spices, etc.). All this points to a fake or a substitute.
4. The presence of thujone. Contrary to popular misconception, this ingredient is no longer considered an essential component of absinthe, as evidenced by official stamps marked “thujone-free” or “refined”. However, real connoisseurs, of course, prefer that the composition of the drink correspond to the textbook recipe.
If the label does not indicate that thujone is absent, but its proportion is also not indicated, this means that the content does not exceed 10 mg / kg and may not be mentioned on the bottle.
5. Method of production. Real absinthe is only a distillate, not a tincture, in addition, it is recommended to choose a drink based on grape alcohol – these varieties are of high quality and excellent taste.