Absinthe: The Art of Collecting provides an exploration of its history, culture, rituals, tools and enjoyment. Exhibited are absinthe spoons, glasses and other tools used to prepare and drink this potent spirit, as well as tips for collecting and storing absinthe. Furthermore, an index provides details on all available varieties.
Absinthe was one of the most beloved spirits in Parisian cafes during the latter half of the 19th century. Bohemians such as Toulouse-Lautrec, Oscar Wilde, Paul Verlaine, Arthur Rimbaud Vincent Van Gogh Modigliani and Aleister Crowley frequently drank or used absinthe as inspiration in their art; yet absinthe was often mistreated as a dangerous substance liable to induce hallucinations as well as being held accountable for everything from addiction and epilepsy as well as even murderous tendencies.
Absinthe has its roots in Dr. Pierre Ordinaire, who fled France during the French Revolution and settled in Couvet, Switzerland, adapting an herbal patent remedy into what would later become absinthe. Once completed, its recipe was passed along to Henriod sisters in Lyon who would distill and bottle it; blanche absinthe is a clear distillate; while green or verte absinthe contains herbs which add color and flavor. Both types contain wormwood in high concentrations but blanches do not.