Dillon’s absinthe finally goes on sale

Until about seven years ago, you couldn’t legally buy a bottle of absinthe in this country. Its reputation for being a dangerous hallucinogen meant the alcoholic beverage was black listed in many countries in Europe and North America.

But, the myths surrounding ‘the green fairy’ have been busted. And now Dillon’s small batch distillers in Beamsville is about to distribute the first batch ever distilled in Ontario.

It’s batch one, glass one.

The owners of Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers have been working on creating their own absinthe for longer than they’ve been in business.

Geoff Dillon, Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers: “We planted wormwood absinthium which is the main ingredient, the main herb used in traditional absinthe.”

After two years of growing their own botanicals, researching, and perfecting the process, Ontario’s first 700 bottles of absinthe are finally ready to go on sale Friday.

Geoff: “I think it’s one of the first, if not the first in North America, if not the first that’s mainly fresh ingredients. There is such a production to actually drinking it. It’s not just pouring it in a glass and having a sip.”

At 67.5 percent alcohol, drinking as is, is not a good idea.

“It’s this beautiful white greeny blue-ish hue of a cloud in there that eventually engulfs the entire glass.”

You can also take your absinthe with sugar. The ice water drip is poured over a sugar cube using an absinthe spoon. And just like coffee or tea, it’s really all about personal preference.

“There have been a lot of studies done on the active ingredient in wormwood which is thujone and they’ve all found there is no hallucinogenic properties.”

First sip.

Dillon’s absinthe goes on sale Friday. 750ml bottles are going for $69.95 each. The owners say with pre-orders they are already halfway to being completely sold out of their 700 bottle batch.