The first surprise when people hear about Pacifique absinthe from Woodinville is that absinthe is available at all.
It’s known as a mysterious green liquor banned decades ago for supposedly driving drinkers mad.
The second surprise is that hard liquor is made in Woodinville, land of wine-sipping and bucolic picnics.
Yet there it is, a licorice-flavored concoction being served with water and sugar cubes at homes and bars around Washington.
Absinthe and gin began flowing a couple months ago from an industrial park in Woodinville.
Grappa is being made by another Woodinville distillery with a tasting room alongside popular wineries.
A distilling fervor has gripped Washington, giving the state five new liquor makers in the past year and 13 more awaiting distillery licenses.