Viridian Spirits Extends Its Leadership in the Absinthe Category It Created NEW YORK, June 23
NEW YORK, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- This fall, Viridian Spirits LLC, brand
owners of Lucid Absinthe Superieure, will expand its absinthe portfolio with
the introduction of La Clandestine Absinthe Superieure and Jade Liqueur's
Nouvelle-Orleans Absinthe Superieure to the U.S. market. These two genuine
absinthes are already well established internationally as being among the
finest authentic absinthes in the world. The first comes straight from
Couvet, Switzerland, in the Val-de-travers, the birthplace of absinthe in the
18th century, while the second, part of T.A. Breaux's elite line of Jade
Absinthes, pays homage to his hometown and the historical epicenter of
absinthe culture in this country, New Orleans.
In March of 2007, Viridian Spirits successfully negotiated for the return
of genuine absinthe to the United States when it received approval to launch
Lucid. When launched, Lucid Absinthe Superieure became the first genuine
absinthe made with Grande Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) to be legally
available in the United States in 95 years. Lucid is crafted exactly the same
way absinthe was made 100 years ago and is authentic in every detail,
including the use of a full, historically accurate measure of Grande Wormwood.
Due to the increasing popularity of Lucid throughout the country and its
nationwide distribution, it was inevitable for Viridian Spirits to further
develop its absinthe portfolio.
"Over the past year we've witnessed the reemergence of absinthe in the
U.S., beginning with the introduction of Lucid," said Jared Gurfein, President
of Viridian Spirits LLC. "Now, after witnessing the explosive interest in and
popularity of Lucid, we are taking two of the most esteemed international
absinthes and bringing them to this market."
The only absinthe distilled in Couvet, Switzerland, La Clandestine, hand
crafted by Claude-Alain Bugnon, has been a favorite of both absinthe
professionals and absinthe lovers for some time. A colorless absinthe in the
Swiss 'La Bleue' style, it is based on a 1935 absinthe recipe that was handed
to Claude-Alain's family by a close family friend. La Clandestine takes its
name from the way it was sold as an "underground" brand for several years
during the era of absinthe prohibition. It has repeatedly reaped awards and
accolades and is considered by many to be the finest Swiss, La Bleue style
absinthe available in the world. Claude-Alain is a three times winner of the
golden spoon at the Pontarlier Absinthiades.
Nouvelle-Orleans Absinthe Superieure, one of the famous Jade Liqueurs
absinthes, is the creation of renowned absinthe expert, T. A. Breaux, and is a
traditional green Absinthe Verte produced in Saumur, France. The incomparable
flavor of Nouvelle-Orleans is derived from a full compliment of Grande
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), and additional select European botanicals
traditionally used in crafting a genuine Belle Époque absinthe. Having won
numerous international awards and worldwide acclaim since its original release
in 2004, Nouvelle-Orleans will soon be available to U.S. connoisseurs for the
first time. Like all traditional, authentic absinthes, including Lucid,
neither La Clandestine nor Nouvelle-Orleans contains artificial coloring
agents and both are distilled only from the highest quality select whole
herbs, and never from extracts or oils.
Both La Clandestine and Nouvelle Orleans will be available at select
restaurants, bars and liquor stores nationwide beginning this fall. The
suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle of La Clandestine is $79.99, while
the suggested price of a 750ml bottle of Nouvelle Orleans is $110.00.
Viridian also sells classic absinthe accessories such as fountains, glasses
and absinthe spoons. For more information, please visit www.drinklucid.com.
For more information about the new brands, please visit
www.viridianspirits.com.
About Viridian Spirits LLC
Viridian Spirits LLC is an entrepreneurial spirits company which was
formed for the purpose of creating and importing genuine Absinthe into the
United States. Viridian was founded by corporate attorney Jared Gurfein
(formerly with Skadden Arps and NTL Incorporated/Virgin Media) with founding
partners Jonathan Bonchick (formerly with Brown-Forman and currently with Duty
Free Americas) and Eddie Soleymani and Leon Redensky (co-founders and Managing
Directors of Lynx Capital Partners, LLC, an equity trading firm). Viridian
also includes partners Simon, Jerome and Leon Falic (whose major holdings
include Duty Free Americas and luxury brands such as Christian Lacroix, Hard
Candy, Urban Decay and the license to manufacture Perry Ellis fragrances and
cosmetics).
SOURCE Viridian Spirits LLC
