US: Hood River Distillers takes over Lucid Absinthe Supérieure

By Andy Morton | 21 March 2013

Hood River Distillers has bought Viridian Spirits brand Lucid Absinthe Supérieure for an undisclosed fee.

Lucid Absinthe, launched in 2007, was the first absinthe to be legally available in the US since the spirit was banned in 1912, Hood River said this week. Viridian's founders claim an instrumental role in ending the ban, which was enforced after scare stories over absinthe's effects.

"All of our brands are rooted in history, heritage and authenticity, so the addition of Lucid to our brand roster is a natural fit,” Hood River president & CEO Ronald Dodge said.

Lucid is distilled at the Combier Distillery in Saumur, France and has an SRP of US$59.99 per 75cl.

Last week the European parliament rejected a bid by the European Commission to define and standardise absinthe.

Expert analysis

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Sectors: Mergers & acquisitions, Spirits