Absinthe and the 99%, As absinthe grows in popularity, will it become cheaper? Options

[ellen]

Absinthe was a drink of the masses in the 1890s, right? It's a fair bet it didn't cost (proportionately, after appropriate inflation adjustment) as much as the latest thing from the Pernot distillery costs us. Absinthe is growing in popularity, and while the marketing aim right now is to sell it as a luxury item, there are bound to be cheaper mass market versions before long…

Does anyone on the forum know what prices were like for a bottle of absinthe in the pre-ban era? Those old pictures of French farmers drinking it -- and using a fountain, no less! -- after the day's labor suggests it must have been very "affordable" in the Belle Epoche.

Ellen

[G&C]

There was a complete support industry for Absinthe production 120 years ago that no longer exists. Then add in the taxes, middle men, retail markup…

[ellen]

There was a complete support industry for Absinthe production 120 years ago that no longer exists. Then add in the taxes, middle men, retail markup…

Yes, I'm not surprised prices are high for something that is handcrafted in relatively small batches. Also, there was a large network of "organic" herb producers back then because the pharmaceutical system of the time depended on it.

[Tibro]

Remember too that state and federal taxes on distilled spirits is based on the alcohol percentage. As absinthe is a higher proof spirit you pay proportionally more in taxes.

[Jaded Prole]

There are inferior oil mixes that could be cheaper but I doubt that they will come down in price or that the appeal will grow for anise based liquors -- especially in difficult economic times. It would be nice to see the Spanish Deva on the shelves for $20.00 but I don't see it happening.









I think the 99% drink beer.

[Aggelos]

Absinthe was a drink of the masses in the 1890s, right? It's a fair bet it didn't cost (proportionately, after appropriate inflation adjustment) as much as the latest thing from the Pernot distillery costs us.

Really ? Depends on what you wanted to drink really… A quality product was expensive allright.
An indicator I have is that a bottle of a pernod Fils (1L) was worth a worker's daily wages.
It gets me to approx $90/Liter (using the French minimum salary and converting it to $)

[Kirk]

Absinthe could never be cheap, alcohol is expensive to make, absinthe has more of it, now add the large herb bill, the largest of any liquor.

[sbmac]

Folks back then didn't have cable TV, internet porn, cars, or cell phone bills. They had to spend their money on something.

[Provenance]

Ellen,

If you would like to see absinthe cost less, try showing us your tits. It's possible that a discount could be arranged.

[ellen]

Ellen,

If you would like to see absinthe cost less, try showing us your tits. It's possible that a discount could be arranged.

In your dreams -- and since I'm probably old enough to be your grandma, maybe not such pleasant dreams…

"Behold! her bosom and half her side----
A sight to dream of, not to tell!
And she is to sleep by Christabel" -- Coleridge, Christabel

[Provenance]

I suppose that's an alternative to a standard introduction. On the other hand, given how cleverly disguised the Entrance Hall is, with its cryptic message, Newcomers, introduce yourself here first, perhaps that's too much to ask.

On the third hand, you do get bonus points for reading Coleridge. I recommend Ne Plus Ultra.

[ellen]

Absinthe was a drink of the masses in the 1890s, right? It's a fair bet it didn't cost (proportionately, after appropriate inflation adjustment) as much as the latest thing from the Pernot distillery costs us.

Really ? Depends on what you wanted to drink really… A quality product was expensive allright.
An indicator I have is that a bottle of a pernod Fils (1L) was worth a worker's daily wages.
It gets me to approx $90/Liter (using the French minimum salary and converting it to $)

Either those French farm workers were very rich then, or they were drinking something more plebeian…

[sbmac]

Nicely done Ellen… you should have shown him your tits just to teach him a lesson!

[Artemis]

Absinthe was a drink of the masses in the 1890s, right? It's a fair bet it didn't cost (proportionately, after appropriate inflation adjustment) as much as the latest thing from the Pernot distillery costs us.

Beer is a drink of the masses today, but everything from bottled badger piss to the ale celestial is called beer. The cost varies accordingly on all levels.

[Aggelos]

Either those French farm workers were very rich then, or they were drinking something more plebeian…

Yup they would drink "absinthe". Oil mixes (yes even then, I have proof of that), macerated absinthe with low quality alcohol colorated with zinc sulfate or antimony chloride.

Imagine the worst crap possible, and then ponder why people were sick of absinthisme