Welcome Betina!

I find your web site fascinating, but there is one thing I don't understand. You seem to be the only reputable author that advocates the burn method. This I don't understand at all.

"The burn method seems to create a richer texture to the absinthe."

I don't understand why you would buy in to this modern marketing ploy.

Glad to see you here and I hope you can clarify this for me.

We wouldn't want to get the welcome thread too off-track.
So, if anyone has questions for Betina about her book/website, post 'em in here.

Perhaps she'll be gracious enough to share her thoughts with us.

Good idea for separate track for book questions. A lot of people/bartenders in Barcelona are using the burn method now and some of my friends mentioned the richer taste. I see no difference as I am too caught up in not setting myself on fire which I once did lighting a gas water heater! The vacuum method is most repulsive to me but I felt and agreed that I need to offer all alternatives to the readers.
And yes Johnny Depp made it o.k. too....he would set anyone on fire without matches!
Please realize, and I know I will say this again, that I did not write the book entirely alone and I had a publisher who loves to delete!
Some of you write so poetically...maybe I can think of a new section of the book that you could contribute to...will have to think....like maybe your most momentous experience with absinthe? Just a thought right now. Maybe you all could tell me what chapter title you would like to see that was never covered in my book?
betina

This is exactly the type of discourse I was hoping for. By remaining civil, we can actually get to the bottom of what some people have posted for the public to read. I hope we can bring more of the vocal members of the absinthe world in here and get to the heart of the things that have been so divisive for so long.

Betina,

I've always been curious about Ted editing your book. What is your relationship with Ted?

I've wondered if you might be Ted's mentor.

Also, do you plan on updating the reviews in your book? I think the people on this forum would jump at the chance to contribute.

(BTW - Welcome!)

My copy is packed away.
But keep in mind that I might have questions in a few weeks.

All of my relationships are between me and the person involved. Ted and I have always mutually respected each other.
Yes, there will be updates on absinthe reviews and new absinthes. But the reviews have to be tasteful (not as in tasty but more like the word classy), truthful, and informative as it is an elegant book.
got to go sleep..today is my birthday!
betina

Just curious.

My wife works for Barnes & Noble & brought your book home one night asking if they should keep copies on the shelf in the Atlanta stores. Your book rekindled my interest in Absinthe & ultimately led me here (not sure if that is good or bad yet...). Did the book ever come out in hardback?

I have a hard cover version. It came with a signed insert card.

Regarding the hard back book..there were only 300 copies made and the quality is equal to the softback inside but the outside is black material with green foil letters and numbered paper nameplate. All are sold out but I have a few copies left....$200 each....some are being sold on Amazon for that price, also. I hope Atlanta keeps it on the shelves...sales have been steady everywhere!
betina

That would be why we only saw the trade paper version in the system. Thanks for the info.

I'll have to find my copy of the hard cover and put it on eBay, if that's what they are going for! It's still shrink-wrapped.

I have that, though not in the shrink-wrap.
I had to have Betina sign mine specifically for me.

I couldn't possibly ever part with it because it has so much sentimental value.

Merde, I say as the last few drops pass my lips!

Absinthe of the rats begone to your dark dwelling...

I doubt Betina has read enough of the forum to know what that means.

I, on the other hand, pray daily for the Ratsinthe to come back into my life.
™

Thanks for the answer Betina, it seems quite simple really.

If you wouldn't mind me carrying this a bit further, I would like to ask about your references to thujone on your site. It seems to be the consensus in the absinthe community, that thujone is a non-issue when it comes to distilled absinthe, yet your site still touts it as the psychoactive agent in absinthe. Do you believe the old "bad science" tests and discount the modern information, or do you have newer information that we're not aware of?

To quote your web site.

Swiss La Bleue is of clear color and exquisite in taste and purity, the "holy grail" of absinthe. It is traditionally distilled as was the original Eduoard Pernod. La Bleue is non-commercial, has the highest thujone available (we await testing but believe Swiss absinthe contains over 70mg/kg and is 56-60% alcohol). THERE IS NO TEST THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THUJONE AMOUNT AT PRESENT. ANYONE WHO STATES A DEFINITIVE NUMBER IS NOT TELLING THE TRUTH.


The absinthe that the artists and poets drank contained approximately 260 mg/kg. Again that is only an estimate but it was quite potent. La Bleue absinthe has already been tested by hydrometer. It is "artisanal," a high quality product created in small batches by centuries old methods. High quality Swiss absinthe is a clear brew perfected to a fine art for over a hundred years, imparting old family artisan quality with no commercial alcohol and much higher thujone than ANY absinthe.

It just seems that it would be better to stay away from these kind of statements, for a number of reasons. I would really appreciate it if you could clarify why this stuff is still up on your site. It clashes everything that is currently believed. I have nothing but respect for you and your writings. I'm not trying to pick a fight, but this seems so far out in left field compared to the writings of Ted Breaux, Ian Hutton and the FAQ at Oxygénée's site. If you could take the time to clarify this, I would be in your debt.

For this I must convene with those that have passed through the opalescent waters before me.

Those who now live on the other side whose past writings have marked a profound account of such hyper-awareness...

The dearly departed George Allen Smith IV may have found his fate sealed due to some scientific rational that a LD50 of Mus musculus produced 100% mortality at 60 mg/kg.

La Fee Verte seduces one with promises of perpetual ecstatic bliss only to be left alone upon a cloud of despair and dismay.

But once the darkness breaks, drops of opaline fall once again upon those eager to be lifted by the Emerald Empress!

Alas, this thread was not intended for my inebriated verbosity, but for a discourse on Absinthe: Sip of Seduction.

I must conclude that page 105 of this contemporary guide is a reflection of my own inner soul... though I was distressed to read that Oxygénée is 'a bit on the thin side'.

Monsieur, perhaps some potatoes would help!

Finally, my heart beat of 100 drums while thinking of 10 ounces of silver lost in the Battle of Osiris, as I viewed page 89.

Garçon! Deux mille Pernod pour moi et mes amis!

This is most understandable.

Yes, I do need to change some things on the web site but I have had many disasters the past 8 months...none of which are absinthe related.

real life can be a real mean mo-fo sometimes distracting us from the internet...

So you're saying she needs to get her priorities straight?

I was going to suggest that Mr. SpartyPants provide Betina with some links.
Since she hasn't been an active member of any forum that I know of, it might be helpful for her to be able to read some of the more recent studies.

It sounds to me like she put together a web site back in the day and isn't opposed to bringing it into line with current thinking.

Precisely my point.

See how fun polite discourse can be...

Don't get me wrong, that's not why I'm here. But, ya know, it's kinda good to talk about absinthe every once in a while.

Absinthe?

Absinthe? How did we wind up talking about Paris hilton?

She was rumoured to be seen with a glass of La Fée at her birthday party.

Some celebrity endorsement.

I will work on the website to update it in the next few weeks...

Cool.

*still waiting on links from the drunken FNG*

We wouldn't want to have to have anyone unnecessarily try to operate the search function, now would we?

Elsewhere within this forum, I've posted information on a recent and rare acquisition. I would consider parting with this for a 1/4 ounce of gold or even 12 ounces of silver.

This Absinthe, with Thujone levels that have impressed those born under brush and pen of a century ago, is found within the region of Doubs.

I affectionately call it...

La Fin du Temps.

What's the best Pastis to get really, really wacky with.

I want a Pastis that will make me trounce through the forest looking for Garden Gnomes!!!

The best thing to get wacky with would be pasties, not pastis.

I'm just saying.

DG

Mmm. Pasties.

What page are Pasties covered in?

Never mind. Found 'em on page 41.

A perfect review
and all the People that would say it
are the ones I wish I never knew.
I have a question for the author, but first a statement,
I can't force someone to do something the way I want it done,
not even when I pay them, so
how do you feel about a person (you) talking a struggling artist (me)
(or anyone else) into making something exactly the way you want it,
regardless of what the maker wants to do, or wants for you,
and then not paying for it
and doing it in a way
that can only be called a con,
how do you feel about that Bettina Wittles?
Every day I'm closer to death,
but when it comes,
I will still remember your name.

Looks like she isn't going to answer you.

This my very last reply.
I never agreed on a price with Kirk and immediately sent the earrings back.
I never agreed on a price with Alaska guy either.
I have never ordered any special absinthe made for me from anywhere. That accusation is totally bizarre.
Nobody has ever complained about my packing, shipping, or product. I guarantee everything. I have never ripped off a customer unlike Justin, Doc and every other American vendor along with some European ones, as well.
All of you can believe what you will. Those who know me and do business with me know that I am honorable.
I will no longer be posting on this forum.

Yet another last reply?
I am boggled by the possiblity of three lasts.
Has this something to do with quantum physics?

She has no Charm, butt is
quarky.

Didn't look none of that up,
either.

I am kinda nerdy w/the science
xit.

She must think that if you repeat it enough times, it becomes true.

There's no place like Shillville,
There's no...

*POOF!* Butty is revealed:

Not much of a stretch to get there, neither.

Looks like some TV thing.
I was refering to quantum
mechanics lingo.

Buh by now
Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
Good riddance and
don't come back. Oh and
I hope you enjoy the earrings, did you have them appraised yet? I hope it's a lot cuz you will be paying for them from now on,
I'm following spore baby,
thank you for shopping with Kirk.

And so ends a chapter of the tale of Brer Artist and the spore baby.

spoor