The Evolution of German Absinthe

For too long Germany has been one of the chief distillers of crappy absinthe marketed towards the thujone high seeking college kids. This gave the country a black eye with real absinthe aficionados. In terms of absinthe, it was “Deutschland unter alles.” It appears the tide is slowly turning and absinthe distillers in the Fatherland and finally beginning to get It.

Eichelberger really got the ball rolling in Germany. The recipe for this superb absinthe was created by a HG distiller who won a contest to have his recipe put into commercial production. Being a frequent traveler to Germany, I bring back as many bottles of Eichelberger’s various absinthe as my luggage allows.

The latest on the scene is Maison ALANDIA. This absinthe is geared the same target market as the Jade absinthe – that is to say, top of the line quality all around. I’m halfway through a bottle and must say, this absinthe it great and can stands up against any other absinthe currently on the market.

Another absinthe from Germany which I have yet to sample is distilled by the Neuzeller Monestary. I’m very familiar with their beers which are some of the best handcrafted beer in Germany. I hope their line of absinthe are produced to a similar standard.

The world of true absinthe is been speedily evolving since it was legalized in the whole EU. With any luck and time, the quality brands of absinthe in Germany will outnumber the distillers of undrinkable bitter wormwood juice. Always remember: maximum wormwood = minimum taste.