Marteau: Absinthe de la Belle Époque

 It has been a while since I've made any absinthe posts, so this blog is just about due.  Good timing, in fact, as a new and authentic absinthe has recently hit the market - Marteau: Absinthe de la Belle Époque made by none other than Gwydion Stone, founder of the Wormwood Society.  Ever since I joined the Wormwood Society, I figured that it was really just a matter of time before he made his very own brand.

The timing was good and Gwydion's (he lets me call him Gwydion) absinthe is not only available in the US, but it's also distilled here!  While I do enjoy my French- and Swiss-produced absinthes, the idea that the US is taking back part of its almost forgotten heritage does something for me.  Absinthe makes "made in America" really mean something to me again.

I had my first taste of Marteau at Tales of the Cocktail in 2008.  I really don't want to review it yet, as the flavor and scent of it are not fresh in my mind months later.  A bottle of my very own will soon arrive and I'll review it then.  I will say that when prepared traditionally with dripped ice-water and sugar (though I prefer all absinthe sans sugar cube) it was, in a word, refreshing.  I also had several opportunities to taste it used as an ingredient in both historic and modern cocktails and the Marteau added just what the mixture needed to complete it.  Gwydion should be very proud of his creation.

Definitely give Marteau a try.  If you're lucky enough to be reading this and have never before tried a traditionally-made absinthe, you're in for a treat.  My order will be arriving from DrinkUp NY- a good place to order from if Marteau or other absinthes are not available in your area.  Also, be sure to pipe up at your local liquor store and ask them to stock Marteau!

I'd also like to take a few lines here to tell you about Gwydion Stone himself.  He created the Wormwood Society years ago to enjoy contact with others who shared his love of all things absinthe, in order to educate others about traditional absinthe and about what it's not, and as an organization that had a goal of bringing absinthe back to the United States.  He's accomplished all three, though it's been a bumpy ride.

Every now and again, the Wormwood Society will welcome a new member that has absolutely no idea what traditional absinthe is and has been taken in by the thujone (strong!) marketing schemes of a faux absinthe peddler or two.  Just to read how amazed they are when they actually taste the real thing is a joy.  Imagine that one of the things that you enjoyed most in the world was completely misunderstood by a bulk of the populace.  Imagine having to hear people tout their experiences with this interest/love/joy of yours that are absolutely false and made up.  Imagine that people are attracted to this thing in your life for all the wrong reasons and that there are lists of truly wonderful reasons that they could be enjoying it.  Welcome to the world of modern day absinthe.  It's because of Gwydion, the Wormwood Society and its  members, and authentic absinthe producers all over the world that the word is getting out and the record is being set straight on absinthe.

So thank you to Gwydion Stone for the Wormwood Society and for his Marteau!

Comments

[Gwydion Stone]

Oh my. I'm all verklempt.

Thank you Scott for your kind words. It means a lot to me that there are people who appreciate and understand what the Wormwood Society is all about.

I'm glad you enjoyed Marteau and I hope you enjoy many pleasant evenings with your new bottle!

All the best to you and yours. I look forward to seeing you again at Tales!

Cheers!
~ Gwydion