Brian Robinson Report post Posted March 5, 2011 For several years, I've been compiling data on absinthe prices around the world and converting it to cost per drink analyses in order to track what the category as a whole is doing. It's been on the main site for about three years or so, but it's rarely mentioned and not very easy to find, so I thought I'd make mention of it here, now that I've finished updating it for 2011. There are about 160 brands covered. Now, before people start nitpicking on the prices, I didn't scour the internet looking for the cheapest price for each product. Instead, I used several of the most common retailers (LdF, Rue Verte, VdA, DUNY, Catskill, Alandia, etc) and just noted those prices. Where bottles were available on multiple sites, I simply used the price I ran across first. So a preemptive 'quitcho bitchin' is in order. Costs do not include shipping. Exchange rate conversions for the Pound Sterling and Euro were as of Thursday, March 3rd 2011. Some of the interesting finds: 1) Quality absinthe continues to get cheaper for the most part. Many of the highest regarded brands tend to fall in the middle of the chart. I've marked many of them in red. It is my hope that this is due to decreasing production costs, and not increased competition. Or I at least hope that will be the case in the future. There has also been some decrease in prices simply due to the novelty factor wearing off for the average consumer. 2) Some crappy brands that tout thujone and such seem to be getting more expensive. One can assume that this might be the case because they are trying to set themselves apart, using the old 'We're the only REAL absinthe' argument that they've been using since 2007. 3) As has always been the case, the chart shows that many low quality brands still charge the same or more than their higher quality counterparts, preying on the unknowing consumer. 4) Comparable prices between US and European brands have tilted in favor of the US brands recently, with the devaluation of the dollar. If US brands had access to international markets, they would be quite attractive to international consumers right now. Hope you enjoy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pierre Report post Posted March 5, 2011 Incredibly informative. A big thank you for this Brian! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jack Griffin Report post Posted March 5, 2011 Thanks Brian...nice work, and a cool idea! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Legate Report post Posted March 5, 2011 Nicely done, Brian! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Julie Legate Report post Posted March 5, 2011 Shared! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Absomphe Report post Posted March 5, 2011 Great compilation, Brian! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mgs Report post Posted March 5, 2011 I liked a lot the data ! Thanks for your hard work ! - Marcelo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buddhasynth Report post Posted March 5, 2011 yeah, yeah, I bring my work home too. veddy interesting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeRoy Report post Posted March 5, 2011 Nice job, Brian! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phoenix Report post Posted March 6, 2011 And here I thought King of Spirits Gold was the most expensive "absinthe". I googled Segarra 68 to see what the bottle looked like and found it on RueVerte for a whopping $418!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Absomphe Report post Posted March 6, 2011 Jeez, I remember when it was about $200 in 2004, and no one could believe the temerity of asking that kind of money for an absinthe that was distilled using AA in the coloration step. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bksmithey Report post Posted March 6, 2011 Big thanks Brian! As you pointed out, the table makes very clear the current weak dollar vs euro and poud. Sure makes me thankful that I can find good value in the US right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jack Griffin Report post Posted March 6, 2011 Man...Obsello really gives a nice bang for the buck doesn't it? It's amazing how some of the worst crap out there costs so much more! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bksmithey Report post Posted March 6, 2011 Obsello really gives a nice bang for the buck doesn't it? You spelled 'Ridge' wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stardust Report post Posted June 8, 2011 This is great. I love that some of my favorite brands are actually quite the value. A bottle of Vieux Pontarlier or Mansinthe costs $57 at my local store. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pierreverte Report post Posted June 8, 2011 (edited) Go to The Edison bar in LA to try a great choice of absinthes in an amazing setting. Edited June 8, 2011 by pierreverte Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iamsolidsnake Report post Posted June 27, 2011 Go to The Edison bar in LA to try a great choice of absinthes in an amazing setting. They pay you to say that or just give you free doses? =P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kyle M Report post Posted October 12, 2011 Thanks for all the great information, Brian. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Songcatcher Report post Posted January 19, 2012 (edited) that sure makes me feel alot better about my new bottle a week habit. And im all for buying American Edited January 19, 2012 by Songcatcher Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eskay Report post Posted May 10, 2012 Is Brian's link busted for anyone else? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gumby2.0 Report post Posted May 10, 2012 Is Brian's link busted for anyone else? Yeah. It's not working for me either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Robinson Report post Posted May 10, 2012 Please make note of it in the upgrade bugs page. G will probably have a better chance of noticing it there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AFO Report post Posted July 22, 2012 Hope the link gets fixed soon, I have been itching to see this.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gwydion Stone Report post Posted July 22, 2012 Try now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheLoucheyMonster! Report post Posted July 22, 2012 It worked for me now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gwydion Stone Report post Posted July 22, 2012 Sorry it took so long. This is the first I recall seeing the bug. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EvilAshLives Report post Posted August 24, 2015 The link in the first post doesn't seem to be working again. Here's a direct link: http://www.wormwoodsociety.org/index.php/component/content/article/102-news-and-information/items/405-absinthe-cost-comparisons Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Robinson Report post Posted August 31, 2015 I've been working on updating this list over the past couple of months. Hoping to get it set up soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bodhran_Thumper Report post Posted March 16, 2019 Bump: All these links are dead again any chance of an update on this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
