Well put NicholasDestray. Depends on what you consider "original". The most common everyman absinthe of the day was little more than a concoction of various spirits. More like Turpentine. As for original quality absinthe ,again varies by recipe, area, etc. Swiss and french absinthe are different recipes, and Czech absinthe, in my humble opinion is crap. As for what is offered in the US? Some good, some bad. Do a little research and read reviews from absinthe websites. You find what your looking for.