I'm trying to find the best selection with decent prices. DUNY is good, but not much of a selection. At the Binny's in Chicago, there are probably 20+ varieties, but the 15ish percent taxes have me weary.

Thanks

DUNY has pared back its selection, which is unfortunate. I don't know if it's just due to availability, or if it was a conscious effort.

They don't have a wide selection of absinthe but Mission delivers Leopold's to my front door. Occasionally, they have great deals on other stuff, too.

Not sure that I see that. They still show 17 on their site. Maybe it was 1/2 higher than that previously.

Other shops with a big range include Hi-Time, just outside L.A. and Wally's in L.A.

I seem to remember they had a couple pages worth. I know the supply and availability of brands had some impact on what was listed. For a time, when they ran out some absinthes would disappear, while some kept a placeholder that said "out of stock." Or maybe I'm remembering wrong.

They still have placeholders for Marteau and St. George.

Leopold was a long-term placeholder that doesn't appear there anymore.

Yeah, I think they dropped the ones they don't intend on stocking again. So both the DP absinthes dropped off last year, and you're right about Leopold dropping off. They also dropped Pernod.

And NV.

but they have koruna !

Yeah, and I'd like to see them swap that out with St. Antoine.

They have some placeholders, but when you click on absinthe, there's significantly less of a list than what was there before. At least, it seems so.

I checked this with Kamal:

1. Leopold has been out of stock for a long time: not much Kamal can do about this. No placeholder while the brand isn't even available in NY.

2. He does not want to have a long list by stocking brands that some/most here wouldn't consider as absinthe (Note: no need for me to name the brands concerned!).

3. He has been in touch with several other US/European brands: for one reason or another they haven't got on board yet (Note: I can confirm you can't just get a new product into a new State just by wanting to be there. If a wholesaler won't take a brand, it won't be available in the State). Out of Kamal's control.

4. He'd love to have St. Antoine, but that's outside his control too. In the meantime, he has lots of requests for Czech absinth, so Koruna is there to meet that demand.

Kamal's focus is on quality, not quantity.

Absolutely. Which I've known. It was just a noticeable drop in quantity. Not saying that it's bad that some crap was bumped, it just was noticeable.

Explained.


Nor should he. He's a preferred vendor for a reason, after all.


Most of us know that's why he's got it. I think Brian mentioned it a while back when it was added too. And I think someone mentioned that when St. Antoine becomes available, Kamal said he'd love to switch it out as his Czech absinthe.

Edit: Linky

You're a virtual treasure trove of information, Joe, and so gracious giving it out. Thanks. I've linked to Mission. Want to try the Leopold Bros. absinthe, as well as the other brands you and other forum members suggested. Meanwhile, I continue my research in Ohio. One day, I hope I'm as educated as you about absinthe - and just as kind to newbies. Thanks, again.

I wanna be like Joe too someday. He's a cool guy.

Me, too.

Except for those damned musicals.

You guys are a riot.
Seriously, Mary, there is a wealth of good people here anxious to help you on your absinthe adventure. I'm not doing anything different for you than what was done for me. Drip a glass of absinthe, put your feet up and enjoy yourself.

(Absomphe, most theatre folks are thieves and whores but for you, I'm going to do some real theatre this Fall...or Annie Get Your Gun )

Doc, if I didn't adore Jules I'd...crap. Nevermind.