Lucid Absinthe Supérieure is a traditional, French-made absinthe verte
(green absinthe), whose formula was first approved in 2006. It was
granted a COLA (Certificate of Label Approval) in the United States on
March 5, 2007, making it the first genuine absinthe to gain approval for
legal distribution in the U.S. since 1912
Lucid is produced in France for the Viridian Spirits company of New York.
It is distilled using traditional French methods. Lucid contains less than 10
ppm thujone, because the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
mandates that any finished food or beverage tests less than 10ppm (equal
to 10mg/kg) thujone in order to be considered legal (i.e. "thujone-free")
pursuant to 21 CFR 172.510.
Speculation about the extent to which thujone is important persisted for
more than a century, but any lingering notions that thujone was an 'active
ingredient' of absinthe has been conclusively debunked by modern
science.
The Lucid brand revived the antique term "Absinthe Supérieure" to
differentiate itself from the negative connotations of absinthe that
persisted in the TTB. The recipe includes Grande Wormwood (Artemisia
absinthium), along with green anise, sweet fennel, and other herbs, and
was developed by T.A. Breaux, an absinthe expert and historian.
By early 2008, Lucid became available through most distributors in many
states.
Favorite drink of the famous Green Fairy in the "Moulin Rouge" movie, its
fantasy reputation and elite representation is making its way into
America's social scene.
I had the opportunity to meet with one of the partners for Lucid Absinthe at
an event for ASAP, he graciously offered to do an interview for Red Carpet
Concierge and made good his promise the next time he was in Chicago.
Jonathan Bonchick is a friendly outgoing young man who is very adamant
and passionate about his Lucid Absinthe that he shares with two other
friends.
His story begins at a humble and unpretentious beginning with his friend
and now partner Gared Gurfein, a former attorney. It seems that Gared and
his wife planned a super bowl party that he, because of a brief he had to
complete by the next day, and finished at 5 AM, could not even attend his
own party. He became disenchanted with his choice of professions and
together with Jonathan began to start on a lengthy journey with their
passion-Absinthe.
Absinthe was banned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1912, after
claims that it caused bizarre behavior and possibly insanity. They had to
convince the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to allow
authentic absinthe to enter the United States. That journey took one year
to gain approval, (promising world marketing responsibility) that ended
with a seven digit legal fee. Finally on March 5, 2007 the 1930 law was laid
to rest.
During this time the two friends then met with Ted Breaux-considered to
be the Godfather of Absinthe and the three began the story of Lucid (clear
perception or understanding) Absinthe. Ted had found 2 bottles of
Absinthe at an estate sale from the 1900's and he carefully analysed the
contents going back in time to perfect an outstanding recipe. It is made
from an alcohol base of sugar beet with herbs and perfect grapes and
distilled in antique alembic copper pot stills at the Combier Distillery in
Samur in the Loire Valley, France. The Combier Distillery was designed by
the famous Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame that created the first Triple
Sec in the world.
(green absinthe), whose formula was first approved in 2006. It was
granted a COLA (Certificate of Label Approval) in the United States on
March 5, 2007, making it the first genuine absinthe to gain approval for
legal distribution in the U.S. since 1912
Lucid is produced in France for the Viridian Spirits company of New York.
It is distilled using traditional French methods. Lucid contains less than 10
ppm thujone, because the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
mandates that any finished food or beverage tests less than 10ppm (equal
to 10mg/kg) thujone in order to be considered legal (i.e. "thujone-free")
pursuant to 21 CFR 172.510.
Speculation about the extent to which thujone is important persisted for
more than a century, but any lingering notions that thujone was an 'active
ingredient' of absinthe has been conclusively debunked by modern
science.
The Lucid brand revived the antique term "Absinthe Supérieure" to
differentiate itself from the negative connotations of absinthe that
persisted in the TTB. The recipe includes Grande Wormwood (Artemisia
absinthium), along with green anise, sweet fennel, and other herbs, and
was developed by T.A. Breaux, an absinthe expert and historian.
By early 2008, Lucid became available through most distributors in many
states.
Favorite drink of the famous Green Fairy in the "Moulin Rouge" movie, its
fantasy reputation and elite representation is making its way into
America's social scene.
I had the opportunity to meet with one of the partners for Lucid Absinthe at
an event for ASAP, he graciously offered to do an interview for Red Carpet
Concierge and made good his promise the next time he was in Chicago.
Jonathan Bonchick is a friendly outgoing young man who is very adamant
and passionate about his Lucid Absinthe that he shares with two other
friends.
His story begins at a humble and unpretentious beginning with his friend
and now partner Gared Gurfein, a former attorney. It seems that Gared and
his wife planned a super bowl party that he, because of a brief he had to
complete by the next day, and finished at 5 AM, could not even attend his
own party. He became disenchanted with his choice of professions and
together with Jonathan began to start on a lengthy journey with their
passion-Absinthe.
Absinthe was banned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1912, after
claims that it caused bizarre behavior and possibly insanity. They had to
convince the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to allow
authentic absinthe to enter the United States. That journey took one year
to gain approval, (promising world marketing responsibility) that ended
with a seven digit legal fee. Finally on March 5, 2007 the 1930 law was laid
to rest.
During this time the two friends then met with Ted Breaux-considered to
be the Godfather of Absinthe and the three began the story of Lucid (clear
perception or understanding) Absinthe. Ted had found 2 bottles of
Absinthe at an estate sale from the 1900's and he carefully analysed the
contents going back in time to perfect an outstanding recipe. It is made
from an alcohol base of sugar beet with herbs and perfect grapes and
distilled in antique alembic copper pot stills at the Combier Distillery in
Samur in the Loire Valley, France. The Combier Distillery was designed by
the famous Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame that created the first Triple
Sec in the world.
.
Jonathan Bonchick met with Red Carpet Concierge
as he stopped in Chicago from London on his way to
his home in Florida. He has many diverse areas of
expertise and had just returned from partnering
with Jennifer Aniston and her new perfume named
after herself at Herrods Department Store. He also
has close ties with Christian Lacroix in Paris, Perry
Ellis, Daddy Yankee and Eva Longoria.
Jonathan is also an associate of the Duty Free
Americas with several locations at airports and
boarders in America. His loyalty to his position with
them and 3 Brothers is an attribute we can all take
lessons from.
Jonathan lives in Florida with his wife, Debbie and
their two daughters Alyssa and Sydney. His
advise-"do something good so you can enjoy doing
it". His favorite place is California for the beautiful
weather and laid back lifestyle. Perhaps I can
interview him again in Ca!
-Sandra Smith-Doghmi
as he stopped in Chicago from London on his way to
his home in Florida. He has many diverse areas of
expertise and had just returned from partnering
with Jennifer Aniston and her new perfume named
after herself at Herrods Department Store. He also
has close ties with Christian Lacroix in Paris, Perry
Ellis, Daddy Yankee and Eva Longoria.
Jonathan is also an associate of the Duty Free
Americas with several locations at airports and
boarders in America. His loyalty to his position with
them and 3 Brothers is an attribute we can all take
lessons from.
Jonathan lives in Florida with his wife, Debbie and
their two daughters Alyssa and Sydney. His
advise-"do something good so you can enjoy doing
it". His favorite place is California for the beautiful
weather and laid back lifestyle. Perhaps I can
interview him again in Ca!
-Sandra Smith-Doghmi
