Countries Where Absinthe is Permitted By Law
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There are many countries where Absinthe is legal to buy, sell and consume. Gone are the times when Absinthe was clandestine, when it had to be distilled in secrecy, shipped from other countries or labeled differently. In most countries it is not a crime now to distill Absinthe.
Absinthe is a herbal liquor which has an anise taste. It is usually served diluted with iced water, which causes the famous louche effect, and was a popular beverage in the 19th century. It was made illegal in many countries at the beginning of the 20th century because of concerns about the chemical thujone found in wormwood. Besides being an intoxicant Absinthe was also thought to be an hallucinogen.
People advocating ban claimed that Absinthe contained large amounts of thujone and could cause psychedelic effects. It is now know that Absinthe only contains small amounts of thujone and is just as safe as any strong spirit. if consumed in excess, It may however give you a very different type of drunkenness. The alcohol and the unique blend of herbs combine to act as both a sedative and a stimulant – very strange. A number of people described it as a “lucid” or “clear headed” drunkenness.
Countries where Absinthe enjoys a legal status include:-
United States – Absinthe was banned in 1912 but in 2007 a few brands of Absinthe were approved in the US because of their low thujone content. The USA only allows “thujone free” beverages to be sold but Absinthes with less than 10 parts per million of thujone (less than 10mg per liter) count as thujone free.
The EU – Absinthe was legalized in the EU in 1988 with restriction in thujone content. Up to 10mg/kg of thujone is allowed in alcohol with more than 25% alcohol by volume, and up to 35mg/kg in alcohol labeled “bitters”.
Australia – Absinthe enjoys legal status. Bitters can have a thujone not more than 35mg/kg and other beverages can contain up to 10mg/kg.
Brazil – Absinthe is legal but should not have over 10mg/kg thujone and that it should have less than 55% abv.
Canada – After March 2007 it has been up to the separate Canadian province liquor boards to regulate thujone. Many States do not allow any thujone containing alcoholic drinks to be sold but Absinthe is legal in British Columbia, where there is no limit, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. Quebec and Ontario legislate that Absinthe with up to 10mg/kg thujone can be legally sold.
Czech Republic – Absinthe was never banned.
France – Banned Absinthe in 1915 after a lot of publicity. French law of 1988 allows thujone beverages to be sold if they comply with EU laws and if they are labeled “spiritueux à base de plantes d’absinthe” and not Absinthe. French government also has strict regulations to regulate fenchone which is found in fennel, and an important constituent of Absinthe, hence beverages should have fenchone less than 5mg/liter.
Hungary – Absinthe is legal.
Israel – Absinthe seems to be legal and on sale in Israel.
Ireland – Absinthe is illegal to buy and sell but can be imported for personal consumption.
Netherlands – Absinthe was made legal in 2004. Absinthe must meet EU requirements.
New Zealand – The drink is legal.
Portugal – Absinthe was always allowed.
Russia – High thujone Absinthes (up to 75mg/kg thujone) are available in Russia.
Serbia – Serbia seems to disallow Absinthe containing thujone or above 50% abv to be sold.
South Africa – Absinthe enjoys legal status as of 2005.
Sweden – Absinthe is legal and should be labeled as wormwood. The Absinthe kit site is located in Sweden.
Switzerland – The home of Absinthe legalized Absinthe in 2005 after banning it in 1908.
UK – It was always Legal. Absinthe must be as per requirements of EU legislation.
As now known there are many countries where Absinthe can be legally enjoyed. You may want to make your own Absinthe using Absinthe essences from AbsintheKit.com. These essences make a true Absinthe and can be shipped world wide. They do not require distillation, that has already been done for you, and so are perfectly legal. Check them out.
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