...nwood...

Although I'm intent on not centering my life around alcohol these days, I did take note this past December when St. George Spirits/Hangar One of Alameda finally received approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for St. George Absinthe Verte. Apparently the first batch (selling at $75 for a 750ml bottle) flew off their shelves in under 3 weeks. Today they announced that their second batch will be available for sale beginning Sunday February 3, 2008. (3 bottle limit.) So don't forget slotted spoons and sugar cubes when you go shopping for that Super Bowl party. Our friendly distillers have even provided a video about their new product. (Too bad that it's Quicktime and I can't be bothered with the plugin at the moment.)

From the St. George website:

St. George Spirits Absinthe Verte is made with fine brandy, star anise, mint, wormwood, lemon balm, hyssop, meadowsweet, basil, fennel, tarragon and stinging nettles. This infamous liquor reveals seductive flavors of anise complimented with sweet grassy tones, light citrus, white pepper, and light menthol notes.

Yes, it contains wormwood. I hear it's a little heavy on the fennel.

It might be nice to have a bottle of St. George Absinthe Verte for those evenings when we're stuck by a bohemian mood and feel the urge to read The Drunken Boat in front of the fire. Would be nice not to have to wait for the next (now legal!) party.

Some local SF liquor stores stocking St. George Absinthe Verte:
Hi-Time Wines
K&L Wines
The Jug Shop
D&M Liquors
Wally's Wines & Spirits