For every liter of tequila produced, distilleries throw away 10 liters of hot liquid waste (called vinaza), as well as 5 to 6 kilos of fibrous agave plant (called bagasse).  Government rules are supposed to control how the vianza is properly disposed of, but there is very little regulation in effect.  When improperly dumped, the vianza is extremely acidic, and contains an oil that renders the soil impenetrable.  Eventually the vianza works its way down the cracks in the soil, and contaminates water tables.

In the wine world, vintners are very respectful of their surrounding environment.  In fact, they have to in order to produce quality grapes vintage after vintage.  So think twice about ordering that frozen margarita.

Traditional absinthe is distilled with the plant Grande Wormwood (actually categorized as a noxious weed here in Colorado).  Banned in the US for many years, people  believe it is this ingredient that causes hallucinations.  Wrong.  Others think it’s because of a compound called Thujone which exists in Absinthe.  While research has deemed this compound a neurotoxin, it would take extremely large amounts before you would even notice it’s effects.  The US doesn’t allow any spirit with more than trace amounts of Thujone.  Absinthe has been clouded in mystery, but there is nothing in modern absinthe that causes hallucinations, blindness or insanity.

For a period during the 1960′s, many European absinthe producers would actually add chemicals like cyanide to achieve a hallucinogenic effect.  Playing off the false misconception, these producers wanted to appeal to the young tourists visiting Europe.

Ultimately, quality absinthe is available from many small producers here in the US.  And it won’t make you “trip” any more than a moldy piece of cheese would.  So if you’re adventurous, and love the flavor of anise, go get yourself some.

[EDIT]  An old colleague of mine suggested I add a little about the service of absinthe.  This could be an entire article in itself, but no matter what, you must dilute the absinthe.  Most absinthe ranges from 60% to %70 alcohol, or 120 to 140 proof.  This stuff will literally blister the back of your throat, so dilute with at least 50% water.

A little history (quote from Stranahan’s): “Full-bodied as the fire that bore it, this whiskey glowed amber from the start. When volunteer firefighter Jess Graber responded to a neighbor’s barn fire down the road, he never imagined any good could come of it. But the barn he made effort to save belonged to George Stranahan, long-time liquor connoisseur. When the fire settled, the two discovered a shared passion for the Colorado outdoors and a good pour of fine whiskey. And so Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey was born. They developed a recipe for the smoothest, most flavorful whiskey in the world using the purity of their mountain surroundings to their advantage. Well, to your advantage. They say from each thing bad comes something good. For Jess, George, and fine whiskey drinkers alike, it’s amazing just how good it can be.”

The batches vary slightly, I believe from the variations in the barrels.  My interest in the uniqueness lies in the combination of smokey sweetness up-front (reminiscent of Bourbon), and a slight herbal, almost peaty finish (reminiscent of Scotch).  So this is for people who like Bourbon, Scotch, and everyone in between.  It’s not the cheapest whiskey on the shelf, but it is worth every penny.

Upon closer inspection, one might notice the hand written inscriptions.  Not only does it tell you exactly which batch the bottle came from, but there’s also a little note about what they were doing when they bottled it.  Some may say “listening to Miles Davis” or “ready to ski Steam Boat.”  This only confirms the coolness of Stranahan’s.  They clearly love skiing, music, and creating the coolest whiskey to come out of Denver.  I immediately feel more connected to this distillery when I know the bottler was going to ski the same slope I had just skied only one week before.

I got mad love for local Colorado producers, so keep your eyes peeled for more info on the best from Colorado!