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18465 Feb 22, 2009 07:00 PM

absinthe in philadelphia

Does anyone know of a bar in Philadephia that serves Absinthe? Thanks

  1. KatChow Feb 23, 2009 02:14 PM

    The Raven Lounge

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    Raven Lounge
    1718 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA

    1. saturninus Feb 23, 2009 08:24 AM

      An interesting FYI - not that American Absinthe is the same as what you would find in Europe, Philadelphia Distillers (the ones that make Bluecoat Gin) recently came out with an Absinthe of their own.

      6 Replies
      1. re: saturninus
        b
        Boognish Feb 23, 2009 08:29 AM

        How is the American version different? Vieux Carre is packed with wormwood for instance, which used to be the stumbling block for American distillers.

        btw, is that a Cavelier King Charles in your avatar? Those are some of the sweetest dogs I've ever encountered.

        1. re: Boognish
          Delucacheesemonger Feb 23, 2009 08:43 AM

          Do not know about American, but just the fact wormwood is used is not the important factor. The active ingredient is thujone, not found in leaves or small branches, but in the root. Most of the absinthe that comes in this country, and why it was allowed at all, is the they have very low or no thujone level. This was the ingredient that supposedly caused all sorts of blindness, dementias, and who know what else. Many feel the bad effects was just due to very high alcohol and overuse. l brought back a bottle from Paris last year that was sold on the basis that is has the thujone levels of the old stuff and it is 72%. Haven't tried it yet. Was blessed many years back with a present from a friend's mother's liquor cabinet, two bottles of Pernod absinthe from the 1880's. Over time drank them , noticed no strange effects, and they were delicious. You could open the bottle in one room of the house and in a few moments the aroma permeated the whole atmosphere.

          1. re: Delucacheesemonger
            b
            Boognish Feb 23, 2009 09:13 AM

            Do you think that absinthe with thujone levels over 10ppm are markedly different from those currently available in the US?

            I

            1. re: Boognish
              Delucacheesemonger Feb 23, 2009 11:29 AM

              Honestly do not know how germane the level is to effects, doubt has any influence on taste. Do know have tried 20 different ones over the years and nothing was close to the old ones l had. Was it the method, was it the age, haven't a clue, but VEP chartreuse verde or jaune, very old ones, does it better in every way for me better than the absinthe new or old ,American or European. but keep searching for something that good. Suspect the age softens the product a lot, even tried a bunch of different Pastis and no real success or joy.

              1. re: Delucacheesemonger
                b
                Boognish Feb 23, 2009 11:33 AM

                Thanks so much for the info!

                1. re: Boognish
                  Delucacheesemonger Feb 23, 2009 11:36 AM

                  Mon Plaisir

      2. b
        Boognish Feb 23, 2009 06:40 AM

        APO (formerly apothecary bar & lounge) has a set up IIRC.

        1. b
          Bigley9 Feb 23, 2009 05:56 AM

          http://www.timerestaurant.net/bohemia...

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