Moulin Rouge in Paris (photo by Daniel Wolfram, courtesy of morguefile.com)

After many years of conjuring visions of Toulouse Lautrec and decadent delights at the Moulin Rouge, absinthe has returned to lift the spirits of American drinkers.

The legendary liquor was banned in 1912 on evidence of danger that has long been discredited. Though the ban was effectively ended decades ago it’s reintroduction to the U.S. by capable distillers is very recent.

The New York Times has published an article on the return of absinthe and the challenges faced by those who’ve worked to bring premium varieties to the American market. In the article writer Pete Wells quotes one of the new distillers on the quality of absinthes available before the ban, “They are just beautiful pieces of craftsmanship,” he said. “They were artisanally made with the best herbs and there’s just no comparison between that and something that has green dye and ‘absinthe’ stamped on the bottle.”

Mr. Wells has done some absinthe tasting and offers his thoughts on the pleasures of currently available versions.

If you’d like to read the New York Times article cited above go to: A Liquor of Legend Makes a Comeback