Maktub absinthe: history, current range, how and what to drink + how to distinguish a fake

Maktub is a special kind of absinthe, developed by the blenders of Fruko Schulz in the 20s of the XX century. The drink was characterized by an almost complete absence of anise flavor. Despite the strength of the drink at 70°, it can be drunk neat, as mint partially hides the bitterness.

"Maktub" means "It is decided" in Arabic. Once upon a time, people believed that absinthe caused inspiration and enlightened people. The name is directly related to fate, and means that after trying this type of drink, a person will be able to see through and find out what fate has in store for him or her.

This is how wormwood tincture intrigues a potential buyer with its beautiful packaging with oriental motifs and a fascinating story of its name. And everything about it is good, including its unusual flavoring properties.

The history of Maktub absinthe

Absinthe is produced by Fruko Schulz, one of the largest producers of high-degree alcoholic beverages and liqueurs in the Czech market.

The year of foundation is 1898., when Moritz Schulz, an Austrian entrepreneur, opened the first Austro-Hungarian factory in Jindřichův-Hradec, which produced liqueurs and sweet wines.

At first, it was small, employing only 30 people. Soon after, the entrepreneur bought a brewery located not far from the factory, followed by an expansion of the product range.

Later, many European countries banned the production of absinthe, so Czech blenders had a wide field for experimentation. Production did not stop even when world wars were raging. The company also produced syrups and wines.

In 1948. the company was nationalized and passed from private hands to the state. Almost half a century later, in 1993., it was returned to the descendants of Maurice Schulz. This marked the beginning of a new path for the company, it was completely re-equipped in order to launch new production lines and expand the range of products, adding new products.

A large sum of money was spent on the purchase of the latest distillation equipment. This is how strong alcohol was added to the assortment. The famous absinthe was also resurrected, but the original recipe was slightly changed, reducing the concentration of thujone to 10 mg/l.

Today, Fruko Schulz is a leader among absinthe producers in Europe and the world, with 95% of the Taiwanese market under its control.

The products have been imported to Russia since 2008. by the Ladoga company.

The current range of Maktub absinthe

1. Absinthe 70%, and

   The original drink is emerald in color, smells like wormwood with spicy notes. The flavor is dominated by marjoram and wormwood, followed by a refreshing minty aftertaste.

2. Absinthe 60% was launched

   One of the variants of the classic drink. The only difference is the reduced alcohol content.

3. Red 70%

   Cinnamon, which is added at the stage of infusion of herbs, gives the drink its unusual color. It gives absinthe spicy flavors and aroma.

4. Black 70%

   By increasing the amount of anise, the drink turns black, although the production technology remains the same. The taste and smell are very similar to French Pastis.

5. The magic of 70%

   It stands out from the rest with a unique bottle with a retrospective label. This adds style and modernity to the drink. Perfect for a B-52 cocktail.

6. Absinthe liquor 30% alcohol content

   Fake absinthe in the form of liqueur. The taste of anise is more intense due to the reduced alcohol concentration.

How and with what to drink Maktub absinthe

It is recommended to dilute the drink in a ratio of 5 (water) to 1 (tincture), add a piece of sugar. Water can be replaced with ice.

Absinthe will be an excellent component of a cocktail. You can use it in its pure form, of course, but slowly. Citrus, chocolate and various sweet desserts are suitable as an appetizer.

How to distinguish original Maktub absinthe from fake

1. The bottle should be made of high quality, the labels should be placed evenly. The container is shaped like a rectangle.

2. Absinthe is produced exclusively in the Czech Republic, so the code 859 of the country of origin must be present.

Interesting facts

1. The traditional recipe that formed the basis of the Maktub was created by Dr. Pierre Ordinaire in 1792, he was French but lived in Switzerland.

2. Wormwood tincture became especially popular in the XIX century. He was revered by the elite, including the American writer Hemingway and the French artist writer.

3. For 200 years, the main ingredient of the drink has been wormwood Artemisa Absinthium. It contains a lot of thujone, which affects the human psyche. Therefore, in many countries, absinthe has been banned.

Update: 11.03.2020

Category: Absinthe