Thanks to deliriumdreams for the heads up!

Alameda distiller helps make absinthe legitimate again

Earlier this year, a lone Washington, D.C., lawyer took on the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in an attempt to lift the ban. After some legal wrangling, the agency agreed - with some limits.

Last week, St. George Spirits of Alameda received the news that, after seven applications, the federal agency had approved its label, the final obstacle before going to market. On Monday, the small artisan distillery sold its token first bottle, becoming the only American company since 1912 to sell absinthe in the United States. Then the staff took a moment to celebrate.

"We made champagne and absinthe cocktails, which rapidly degenerated into just sipping absinthe out of the bottle with crazy straws," said Lance Winters, a 42-year-old master distiller at the seven-employee company.

Brilliant. Now perhaps I can drink it at my own parties without getting that "You're going to wind up slicing off an ear" look from people. ;)

Seriously, the ban is antiquated and ridiculous, as the main culprit behind all of the Absinthe Madness was the fact that most of it was 60 to 75% alcohol (120 to 150 proof). It is not even close to that anymore. Also, it is way more regulated these days, as all alcohol is. So it probably won't make you blind either.

Here's another article about the ban lifting
Now Legal, Absinthe In Vogue Once More

And the Post has a few things to say.
Absinthe Trades Mystique for Mass Market