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What is the Wormwood Society?
PURPOSE
The Wormwood Society is a non-profit educational and consumer advocacy organization focused on providing current, historically and scientifically accurate information about absinthe, helping to reform the laws impacting absinthe in the United States and encouraging the healthy enjoyment of a safe, rewarding and historically interesting beverage.
We also provide guidance for spirits industry members who desire to produce and market authentic absinthe in a fair, honest and socially responsible way, including providing historically documented formulas and processes for making absinthe in the true Belle Époque style.
HISTORY
The Wormwood Society started in January, 2004 as a casual group hosting absinthe parties similar to cocktail parties. The parties began to attract a wider national following and soon people came from all over the country, as far away the East Coast.
As interest grew, and after many requests, the doors of the previously private discussion forum were opened to an international audience. Soon it became apparent that there was a need for an organization with an independent voice which could help educate consumers on absinthe history, guide them in their absinthe choices and help them avoid the many inferior and spurious products.
With absinthe again legally available in the US, our mission is just beginning!
Meet The Wormwood Society Team:
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 Gwydion Stone, aka "Hiram"
Founder & Administrator
Gwydion has long been fascinated by arcane and obscure topics, from alchemy to freemasonry, from gnosticism to herbalism. It was natural that when he encountered this intriguing green spirit he should try to get to the bottom of its romance, allure and mystique. When he learned that most of the information available was misleading and inaccurate, it prompted his journey toward discovering the truth behind the "Green Fairy" and gaining a deeper understanding of what absinthe was, and wasn't.
After four years as an ardent student and passionate absinthe evangelist, Gwydion embraced the world of absinthe as a vocation and started Gnostalgic Spirits, Ltd. in order to produce his own brand of absinthe, Marteau as well as other obscure spirits.
A confirmed cocktail enthusiast as well as a talented distiller, Gwydion hopes to help bring absinthe back to its rightful place in cocktail culture as a traditional ingredient in classic cocktails as well as a drink in its own right.
Included among Imbibe magazine's "Imbibe15" innovators of the drinks world in 2007, and featured in newspapers, radio and magazines for his work in absinthe, Gwydion works constantly to dispell the myths and misconceptions surrounding this fascinating drink.
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Our Advisory Board and Support Team:
The Advisory Board ensures that the administration of the Wormwood Society is open to external input and a variety of viewpoints from different political, social and economic backgrounds as well as some international expertise. Its function is to advise and provide input, suggestions and diverse perspectives on organizational projects.
Most Advisory Board members also perform administrative functions in the Wormwood Society.
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 Joseph Legate, aka "T73"
Advisory Board, Forum Moderator
Joe followed the literary trail to absinthe. An avid student and teacher, his studies frequently brought the mysterious drink to his attention. It wasn't long before his first taste brought him to the Wormwood Society and another educational pursuit was launched in earnest. His background in education coupled with thirty years of professional theatre experience highlights his belief in The Company: a unified group dedicated to a singular goal will be more successful than individuals working alone and it will be a lot more fun for everyone.
Joe sincerely believes life is too short not to have fun. Absinthe is a passion. The history, the process, the product and the future is a rich adventure. That it attracts like-minded characters which have been added to his litany of friends is nothing short of extraordinary. |
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 Brian Robinson, aka "Shabba"
Advisory Board, Review Editor, Media Contact
Brian has been interested in absinthe since he was introduced to it at a gypsy party while living in Spain in 1997. The legend behind the green fairy and its relative obscurity in the U.S. at that time made it a perfect focus of his obsessive tendencies. Since then, he has dedicated himself to learning as much about absinthe as he possibly can in his free time, and educating the public on the truths behind the drink, so often criticized by the mainstream.
Brian lives in the suburbs of Washington DC with his wife and son, where he runs a financial planning firm. He loves to cook, craft cocktails, write, draw, read, and play the occasional match of rugby. In 2009, Brian won the Hotel Monteleone cocktail contest; a competition to create a signature cocktail for the world famous Carousel Bar located inside the New Orleans hotel.
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 Trinity Stone, aka "Mrs. Hiram"
Advisory Board, Co-Admin
Trinity (her real birth name) is the ultimate "absinthe widow" who provides virtually boundless support to founder, Gwydion, in his role as admin, author, researcher and absinthe maniac enthusiast.
Not the most ardent absintheuse among us, she does quite enjoy a glass or two on rare occasions. Still, she admires the historic and romantic place that absinthe holds in our hearts and minds and delights in watching the rest of us make such fools of ourselves over weird green liquor.
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 Robert Hess, aka "DrinkBoy"
Advisory Board
Robert was drawn to absinthe by way of his love of classic cocktails. Robert traces his interest in cocktails to a childhood fascination of bartenders who effortlessly transformed the contents of the bottles around them into gleaming jewels of refreshment. Eventually he took action on these early memories, absorbing all he could about the classic art of mixology. Using his culinary training as a canvas, he views cocktails as a cuisine with the same artistic flavor potentials as that of any French chef. He has since become a ceaseless evangelist of quality cocktails, working with restaurants, bartenders, and consumers as well as creating the informative and widely recognized website DrinkBoy.com to increase recognition and respect for this undervalued art.
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 Julie Legate, aka "Maggie the Cat"
Advisory Board, Forum Moderator
Julie's journey to absinthe followed a winding trail that generally followed her interest in medicinal herb lore. Her background includes many years in serving people with severe and persistent illness and she has continually looked for alternative solutions when traditional methods of pain management failed. Absinthe's history as a medicine piqued her interest and she believes the medicinal potential for this legendary beverage has yet to be adequately explored. In the mean time, she's happy to enjoy the social opportunities this elixir has provided. Julie never considered herself a moderator but the delightful characters inhabiting the Wormwood Society keeps her online with their wit, wisdom and irrepressible humor.
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 Molly Marking, aka "MyOwnMolly"
Advisory Board
After her first trip to France in 1993, Molly became enamored with everything French. French wines became her favorite libation. When traveling in the South of France, she immediately developed a liking for pastis. Owning a French import store then brought her into contact with Wormwood Society members in the Greater Seattle area. Their fascination with absinthe and the historical facts (and fiction) piqued her interest. Now a true convert, Molly regularly goes door-to-door spreading the Word of Absinthe and its virtues.
Naw, not really. Molly now lives in the Los Angeles area where she regularly gets together with other enthusiasts to taste and enjoy well-made absinthes. She is grateful for the wonderful friends she has made and all of the interesting people she has met through the Wormwood Society.
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 Marc Bernhard, aka "Zman"
Advisory Board
Marc Bernhard has had a passion for and involvement with absinthe and other fine spirits for over ten years, traveling over North America and Europe discovering and sampling some of the best spirits available.
Marc's passion for fine spirits has led him to create Pacific Distillery in Woodinville, Washington, where he's in the process of bringing Absinthe Pacifique and Voyager Batch-Distilled Gin and other fine spirits to the US market.
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 Eric Litton, aka "Ari"
Advisory Board
Info coming.
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