Tales of the Cocktail (TotC) 2008 - what an adventure! I have been remiss in posting lately but am looking to remedy that, starting with a quick post on my New Orleans adventure. I went to the TotC mostly to meet fellow Wormwood Society members, enjoy absinthe and other cocktails, party, and to explore the French Quarter. All of these things were accomplished and then some.
Last year represented the first time in nearly a century that an authentic absinthe was available for legal sale in the United States. This year there are just about a half-dozen with more on the horizon. The absinthes that were represented at TotC are: La Fee, Lucid, Pernod, and Marteau. The Lucid is made by the same company (Jade Liqueurs) that produces my very favorite absinthe - Absinthe Edouard, a spectacular verte. Absinthe Marteau is a relatively new absinthe that is produced by the founder of the Wormwood Society- Gwydion Stone. His creation is aimed at being the best absinthe to use in making the various absinthe cocktails, the flavors and aromas enhanced to bring to the table everything that absinthe is for the cocktail in question. Reviewers have said that it is just as delicious when sampled in the more traditional manner and I completely agree with them.
The "home base" of TotC was the Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street in the French Quarter. I'd decided to stay in the less pricey Holiday Inn just a block away, which suited me just fine. The Hotel Monteleone is a truly elegant place. I opened my first night of exploration with a sazerac followed by a couple of rum drinks (who's name escapes me, but were very good) before it was time to head back to the hotel to lay my head down in preparation for the next day's activities, when TotC started in earnest. The rest of my time was a whirlwind of adventure. I met several outstanding characters from the Wormwood Society and that alone made my trip. It definitely wouldn't have been the same trip without Lars, Hiram, Mrs. Hiram, Shabba, The Doctor, and The Freida (real names (almost all) withheld to protect the wanton!
As a note, the sazerac is presently made with Herbsaint (an absinthe substitute) in addition to the rye whiskey, Peychaud's Bitters, and simple syrup. In the days to come, absinthe may yet retake its rightful place as an ingredient in this cocktail that has been named the official cocktail of New Orleans.
Oh, and click HERE to check out my pictures from TotC on Flickr!