A US-distilled absinthe is on the market for the first time in almost a century.

St. George Spirits, the California artisan distiller responsible for Hangar One vodka, is the first US company since 1912 to make and sell absinthe in the US. The distiller's Absinthe Verte went on sale during the Christmas holidays in limited markets.

The US, along with many other nations, had banned the production and sale of absinthe early in the 20th century. Lance Winters, St. George's master distiller, began experimenting with absinthe a decade ago. Lawyers finally convinced the US authorities that their product was not going to 'drive people crazy,' despite the spirit's legendary reputation.

St. George will compete with three other distillers - the Swiss Kubler, French Lucid and the Brazilian Absinto Camargo. All began importing the spirit into the US last year.