What Goes Well With Absinthe?

[No1der]

Allright fellow Gorillas, the title line pretty much asks the question.

So, I really like a nice glass of Absinthe every now and again. Yes, I know it's a little controversial but what can I say, I like the Green Fairy.

What I don't know is what cigar would go with a really good Absinthe?

So, what suggestions does the Jungle recomend?

[Smoked]

I have never had it but since it is drank with sugar a Cohiba Siglo II might do the trick. Now let me ask you something. Are the rumors true about Absinthe or is it just strong liquor?

[No1der]

Originally Posted by Smoked

I have never had it but since it is drank with sugar a Cohiba Siglo II might do the trick. Now let me ask you something. Are the rumors true about Absinthe or is it just strong liquor?

Well, Absinthe is a very strong liquor and for the most part much of the stories about it are overstated.

It does have a different effect than any other liquor I have tried but it is not going to make you go mad unless you abuse it.

The reason so many people get in trouble with it is because the alcohol content is very close to that of Everclear (Grain Alcohol)... So those who don't know and drink a couple of glasses will be severely messed up in no time.

How does Absinthe feel when you initally drink it? I'll tell you how it feels to me, upond drinking it I very shortly get a warm feeling that starts at the top of my head and travels down all the way to the feet. It's not unlike taking a Vicodin I guess. Not as strong and not as long lasting though.

The taste has a very strong Anise taste but if you mix it right and get a nice "louche" it's absolutely fantastic.

So, the tricky thing is that we're talking about matching up a very strong liquor with a very prominant Anise flavor which has water and sugar added when you prepare a drink. Absinthe is not bottled with any added sugar.

So the taste is not very sweet but there is an almost indiscribable flavor when the water, sugar and Absithe chemicals mix.

I think I like Absithe because there is a ritual to preparing one. In that respect it's not unlike cigars.

Long post but I hope it both provided an explanation of what it's like as well as giving the rest of the Gorillas a better idea of the flavors I'm trying to compliment with a good cigar.

Edit: Just to make things clear, Absinthe is not a drink that one should try to get drunk on. I've never attempted getting drunk on it because it does have "other" affects.

Vincent van Gogh was an Absinthe drinker. The sever Absinthe use caused him to use many unusual colors in his paintings as long term use does alter you. However I, and many others, agree that it wasn't so much the Absinthe that made him go nuts but rather that he was an alcoholic and his drink of choice didn't help matters.

[lenguamor]

Given the licorice-like flavor profile of absinthe, I'd say a cigar with a lighter, floral profile so as to not overpower the delicate taste of the liqueur.

Best choice would be a PLPC; maybe a Parti Charlotte or Mille Fleurs - aged would be best.

[lenguamor]

Originally Posted by No1der

Well, Absinthe is a very strong liquor and for the most part much of the stories about it are overstated.

It does have a different effect than any other liquor I have tried but it is not going to make you go mad unless you abuse it.

The reason so many people get in trouble with it is because the alcohol content is very close to that of Everclear (Grain Alcohol)... So those who don't know and drink a couple of glasses will be severely messed up in no time.

How does Absinthe feel when you initally drink it? I'll tell you how it feels to me, upond drinking it I very shortly get a warm feeling that starts at the top of my head and travels down all the way to the feet. It's not unlike taking a Vicodin I guess. Not as strong and not as long lasting though.

The taste has a very strong Anise taste but if you mix it right and get a nice "louche" it's absolutely fantastic.

So, the tricky thing is that we're talking about matching up a very strong liquor with a very prominant Anise flavor which has water and sugar added when you prepare a drink. Absinthe is not bottled with any added sugar.

So the taste is not very sweet but there is an almost indiscribable flavor when the water, sugar and Absithe chemicals mix.

I think I like Absithe because there is a ritual to preparing one. In that respect it's not unlike cigars.

Long post but I hope it both provided an explanation of what it's like as well as giving the rest of the Gorillas a better idea of the flavors I'm trying to compliment with a good cigar.

Nice.

What's your absinthe of choice? One that is not too sweet.

[No1der]

Originally Posted by lenguamor

Nice.

What's your absinthe of choice? One that is not too sweet.

Well, considering how expensive good Absinthe can be I have found that the Pernod is pretty good.

I have about half a bottle of a regional Absinthe that my uncle picked up for me in Poland however it was made in France.

Very tasty with a lovely louche, no bitterness and absolutely delicious.

Nice suggestion on the cigar...

[Corona Gigante]

I believe Laudanum used to be a popular accompaniment.

[germantown rob]

I do have a problem with all the talk of the other properties of absinthe. Basically you are unable to drink enough of it to really feel anything from the wormwood. Thujone, the supposed active chemical in absinthe, is a GABA antagonist and while it can produce muscle spasms in large doses there is no evidence it causes hallucinations. The short version of it's banning comes after absinthe became popular and affordable during a wine shortage in France, when wine was no longer in shortage this beverage had to be taken out of competition, end story. Very indepth history can be found all over the web.

It is 132 proof (grain alcohol is 190 proof) but you mix it with water to about the strength of a glass of wine.

I know lots of people will argue that yes it does create hallucinations I would like to remind you of the myth of Mezcal and the worm!

[JCole311]

Something strong like a La Flor Dominicana Natural Ligero

[hova45]

I would go with a litto gomez diez something spicy.

[PadronMe]

Chopping off your ear.

[jagmqt]

With Absinthe? You should probably just smoke something made by Thompson...after that crap sends 120 proof of burning down your throat, why waste a good cigar...all you're gonna taste is pain...

(I speak from experinece, my bottle came from Czechoslovakia...I managed to keep my ears, but lost a little pride because of the effects...)

jag

[RedBaron]

Originally Posted by germantown rob

I do have a problem with all the talk of the other properties of absinthe. Basically you are unable to drink enough of it to really feel anything from the wormwood. Thujone, the supposed active chemical in absinthe, is a GABA antagonist and while it can produce muscle spasms in large doses there is no evidence it causes hallucinations. The short version of it's banning comes after absinthe became popular and affordable during a wine shortage in France, when wine was no longer in shortage this beverage had to be taken out of competition, end story. Very indepth history can be found all over the web.

It is 132 proof (grain alcohol is 190 proof) but you mix it with water to about the strength of a glass of wine.

I know lots of people will argue that yes it does create hallucinations I would like to remind you of the myth of Mezcal and the worm!

I got $20 says you can chug a bottle. o

[No1der]

Originally Posted by germantown rob

I do have a problem with all the talk of the other properties of absinthe. Basically you are unable to drink enough of it to really feel anything from the wormwood. Thujone, the supposed active chemical in absinthe, is a GABA antagonist and while it can produce muscle spasms in large doses there is no evidence it causes hallucinations. The short version of it's banning comes after absinthe became popular and affordable during a wine shortage in France, when wine was no longer in shortage this beverage had to be taken out of competition, end story. Very indepth history can be found all over the web.

It is 132 proof (grain alcohol is 190 proof) but you mix it with water to about the strength of a glass of wine.

I know lots of people will argue that yes it does create hallucinations I would like to remind you of the myth of Mezcal and the worm!

I also don't believe in the hallucinatory abilities of Absinthe. I've had many a fine Absinthe's without once having hallucinations.

As I said already it does take effect slightly differently than other liquors but it does not cause hallucinations.

I think much of this myth is because of Van Gogh. Yes, if you drink Absinthe on a daily basis and are an alcoholic it will cause you serious harm. The liver takes a beating and after prolonged use different colors become more prominant in your visual spectrum than would normally be. I think this is more to do with toxicity than it does with hallucinations.

Absinthe is mixed with water and sugar and that does lower the alcohol content of the drink... It is a very tasty drink but it might be an acquired taste for some...

Originally Posted by jagmqt

With Absinthe? You should probably just smoke something made by Thompson...after that crap sends 120 proof of burning down your throat, why waste a good cigar...all you're gonna taste is pain...

(I speak from experinece, my bottle came from Czechoslovakia...I managed to keep my ears, but lost a little pride because of the effects...)

jag

Hate to disagree with you my friend but if you had that kind of experience with Absinthe I'm guessing that you either didn't mix it correctly, drank it straight or gotten a cheap knock-off that has more to do with paint thinner than real Absinthe.

The former Eastern Block countries are swamped with tons of Absinthe imitations that are absolutely horrid...

Also, there are tons of "recipes" on the internet for "making your own Absinthe" and these recipe kits are complete bunk. Unless you have a still there is no way that you can make Absinthe. The only thing one can accomplish with these recipes is poisoning or worse...

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Great suggestions on the cigars guys, I'm thinking that a more floral tasting cigar is the way to go but I'm really curious to hear as many suggestions as possible.

I've tried so many cigars that it's hard for me to remember all of them and even harder to imagine them matched with Absinthe... So when a cigar is mentioned it often unclogs my memory and gives me great ideas on what should go well with this drink.

Gotta love the Green Fairy....

[smokin5]

I think what goes BEST with absinthe is a well-padded
helmet & a gift certificate for physical therapy!

The last time I indulged with a friend, he literally stopped speaking in any comprehensible manner.
We're still trying to figure out WHAT the hell he was saying.
So is he!