In 2001 Playboy magazine sold an exclusive set of limited edition Zippo absinthe lighters. I managed to aquire a set a few years back and here they are. The picture is somewhat blurry, but you can still see how cool they are. A Czech absinthe company is now selling copies of the one on the right, but these are originals.
Last weekend my good friend, iconic artist and absintheur, Dave Sklar dropped by to join me for the Green Hour. He brought his nephew Ben, also an absintheur, here on vacation, along. Talking to Ben I came to find out he’s a vocalist and musician in a group with the interestingly unique, if somewhat hard to remember, name of Aruvius Thud. I asked him what type of music they played and he stated that it was kind of classical/folk. Well, last night I sat down with a very fine absinthe and gave them a listen. I must say that I was very impressed. Yes, there are elements of classical and folk music, but these guys have created a style and sound that is unique to themselves. I would describe their music as serenely beautiful, interestingly atmospheric, and at times a bit hauntingly melancholy. I can honestly say that I’ve never enjoyed three songs that I’ve never heard before as much as these. This is the perfect music to enjoy while imbibing the Green Fairy. The Seattle Washington based trio is comprised of Ben Sklarfowler (harp, guitar, bozouki, vocals), Jeff Brown (guitar, vocals), and Ryan Bak (bass, vocals, brown notes). The next time you’re having an absinthe and want to hear some great, original music go to:
and give the three songs there a listen. Dim the lights, light a few candles, mix yourself an absinthe, and enjoy the ethereal sounds of Aruvius Thud. I am confident you’ll love what you hear. And if you do, please go to their Facebook page and let them know. I’m sure they’d appreciate it. They will be releasing a CD in the future and I will post an update as to where and when you can get it. Cheers all 
Last week the French Senate voted to lift the 96 year ban on absinthe. Does anybody, besides me, find it ironic that France has been producing very good absinthe since about 2000, but you couldn’t buy it or drink it there? It could only be produced for export. Funny that they thought absinthe was so bad that it had to be banned, but it was ok to make it and sell it to other countires.
The Psychedelic Fairy on facebook is a page with a main purpose to develope and share the Absinthe Culture and Art inspired by the Green Fairy in the 19th and 20th century and up to these days with a proper foundation. The topics are Myth, Culture, Art etc You can see pictures,videos, texts in the notes and many more, also you can post on the page according to the theme Absinthe and Art. All are welcome
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Psychedelic-Fairy/168464683207861?sk=wall&filter=2
Our sister site, Alandia, is celebrating it’s 10th year faithfully serving the world wide absinthe community. Congratulations to Mike and the rest of the gang at Alandia for a fine job all of these years. Cheers to 10 more years!
All of us here at Absinthe.FM would like to wish you and yours a very Merry X-Mass. We hope your holidays are filled with joy, peace, love, and of course, absinthe. CHEERS!
The Philadelphia Museum of Art has an exhibit called “Synthetic Cubism” which runs through April 25. It features 214 works of art by Picasso and others. On display is Picasso’s “Glass of Absinthe”, which is his only free-standing sculpture. It’s very interesting and looks as though he had a few too may absinthes while sculpting it.
Have you ever wanted to try a new absinthe but were afraid of spending the money without tasting it first? Our sister site www.Alandia.de has the answer. Now over 50 different absinthes are available in mini-bottles. There’s a wide range to suit every taste and also some very nice mini-bottle sets. Check it out!
I was surprised, and frankly, somewhat dismayed, to find out that they are using the Bohemian ritual at The Old Absinthe House in New Orleans (thanks for that info Jessie). You would think that the oldest and most well known spot for absinthe in the US would know better. Anyone who knows anything about absinthe realizes that you just don’t burn the sugar cube. What are these people thinking? If anybody happens to visit there, please try and talk some sense into them.
The first annual Spirits International Prestige Awards was held November 14, 2009 in Los Angeles, Ca. A panel of 100 non-industry people voted on distilled spirits from around the world and gave out bronze, silver, gold and platinum awards. The platinum awards were announced this week. La Valote Absinthe, a very fine Swiss entry, won a well deserved platinum award. These excellent absinthes are available from our sister site www.Alandia.de . Pick yourself up a bottle and see why the judges were so impressed.
