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Musset didn't write the way he did because he drank absinthe, instead he drank for the same reason for which he wrote just like that: namely out of despair.

-August Strindberg, 1886
Tjänstekvinnans Son
(The Son of a Servant)

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Absinthe Reviews Vintage Absinthes Vintage Substitutes

Vintage Substitutes

After the ban of absinthe started spreading over the world from 1910 and on, the distillers and the drinkers had to turn to something else. The producers started to make products that reminded of absinthe, but conformed to the new laws and regulations. Among those products were various Liqueurs d'Anis, Pastis and so on. Some of the brands still exist today, some not. The ones reviewed in this section are vintage absinthe substitutes.


 

 
4 results - showing 1 - 4
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Berger Pastis 45 (ca 1937)

Brand information

Alcohol
45%
Manufacturer
C.F Berger
Country
France
Color
Verte
Type
Distilled

The Swiss producer C.F Berger did as most others and started to make Pastis and other anis liqours. The Berger Pastis is still in production today but not nearly as interesting as this pre WWII representation.

 
 
Cusenier Oxygenee Anise (circa 1960)

Brand information

Alcohol
42%
Manufacturer
Cusenier
Country
France
Color
Blanche
Type
Distilled

The once famous Oxygenée brand of absinthe was replaced by substitutes of various kinds. This is nowhere near absinthe as it's a simple anisé and very sweet.

 
 
La Verdelette (circa 1925-1930)

Brand information

Alcohol
40%
Manufacturer
P. Ballat, Cognac
Country
France
Color
Verte
Type
Distilled

A very early variation of the absinthe substitutes that came out on the market after the ban.

 
 
Pernod Fils Pastis (1955)

Brand information

Alcohol
45%
Manufacturer
Pernod Fils
Country
France
Color
Miscellaneous
Type
Mixed & Macerated

After the absinthe ban in France in 1915, Pernod moved their absinthe production to Spain. In France, they turned to increase their production of absinthe substitutes. That led to this... Not much like absinthe.

 
 
 
4 results - showing 1 - 4
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- absinthe books and poetry -

Many writers "of old" wrote poems or passages about absinthe. Some drank it, some didn't. Find some of them here as well as reviews and notes on modern books about absinthe.  

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- latest news and additions -

The Absinthe Poetry section has seen several updates the past days. Poems and information about more authors; Antonin Artaud, Arthur Symons, Francis Saltus Saltus, Florence Folsom and Robert Loveman. Open your mind and have a drink while you enjoy their lyrics. 
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