Introducing Clandestine Absinthe
Clandestine Absinthe is bootleg Absinthe that has been distributed over the Black Market in the time of Absinthe prohibition.
Absinthe was restricted and made illegal in France, Switzerland and many other countries in th early 1900s after being a popular liquor since its creation on the turn of the nineteenth century.
Absinthe ended up being especially well-liked by the Bohemian art set in the Montmartre area of Paris. Artists and writers including Van Gogh, Gauguin, Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemingway have been all enthusiasts of the Green Fairy, as Absinthe is typically known.
Anti-alcohol campaigners started to paint a bad picture of Absinthe during the late nineteenth century and early 20th century, blaming it for France’s growing problems with alcoholism and declaring that the substance thujone (from wormwood) was psychoactive and was having psychedelic consequences. Many stated that if Absinthe was not banned then France has got to be nation of mad, insane people. Absinthe was even blamed for an alcoholic murdering his family despite the fact that he had been drinking other spirits right after the Absinthe. Absinthe was forbidden and prohibition began.
Clandestine Absinthe in Switzerland
During prohibition, there was clearly obviously still an industry for Absinthe and in Switzerland bootleg distillers still produced and sold Absinthe. Switzerland was the home of Absinthe. It is claimed that Absinthe was created by a doctor, Pierre Ordinaire, being a tonic for his patients in 1789 in the Swiss area of Couvet in the Val de Travers, the Swiss Jura. Over time, Couvet took over as the Swiss capital of Absinthe manufacturing and was obviously badly affected by prohibition. One distiller, Claude-Alain Bugnon, is considered to have went on distilling Absinthe and distilled it using a recipe of another bootleg distiller Charlotte Vaucher. The Val de Travers was well known for its great bootleg Absinthe.
Absinthe was legalized in many countries in the 1990s but legalization in Switzerland didn’t happen until 2005. Claude-Alain Bugnon immediately requested for a license to sell Absinthe and was the first distiller to generally be granted a license for Absinthe production in Switzerland.
Claude-Alain Bugnon’s business, Artemisia-Bugnon distilleries now produce many different types of Absinthe:-
– The renowned La Clandestine Originale – This Absinthe is an award winning premium La Bleue, 53% ABV (alcohol by volume). It is a clear Absinthe within a blue bottle and several people say that it took its name from the blue reflections observed when the Absinthe louches.
– La Capricieuse – This Absinthe was made to fulfill the flavour for pre-prohibition stronger Absinthe and contains an ABV of 72%.
– Recette Marianne – This Absinthe was developed to be distributed to the French market that has strict Fenchone regulations and does not allow bottles labeled Absinthe to be distributed. Fenchone is the essential oil of fennel and is also regarded as psychoactive. This liquor is 55% ABV and won the renowned Golden Spoon Award in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
– La Clandestine Originale Alcool du Vin – A distillation of La Clandestine Originale using a wine base.
– Angelique Verte Suisse – Produced for people who want their Absinthe to be a little more bitter and to hold the traditional green color. The stunning label on this bottle is just like antique labels depicting the Green Fairy.
The Artemisia-Bugnon utilizes herbs grown in your community like grande and petite Artemisia Absinthium (wormwood), hyssop and lemon balm to flavor its anise flavored liquor. No synthetic colors or additives are utilized and many speak of the Absinthes using a “bouquet” of Alpine meadows, of honey and flowers.
The Clandestine Absinthe of the Artemisia-Bugnon distillery is accessible to buy on their internet store but if you would like to try your hand at producing your own personal Absinthe containing wormwood then you can definitely make use of the essences from AbsintheKit.com to make your personal premium Absinthe.
