Absinthe:- a women's drink?

[kiwi Bruce]

I have become interested in the advertising shift that took place from the late 1890's on, until the Absinthe ban. The Absinthe makers turned their attention to selling to women. The shift is very obvious in their advertising posters and I think there was a shift in the product as well...to a spirit that was less over the top aniseed, to something more candy-like or fruity. I think I know why...Dilaudid (Hydromorphone) was being sold as a pain killer for women with menstrual issues. IT TASTES DISGUSTING (I had to take a similar opioid substance for several months, to slow down my gut, after surgery.) So I can tell you first hand...IT TASTES DISGUSTING. Now mixing Dilaudid with Absinthe would do wonders to improve the taste (No I only wish I could have tried it, but I was bed bound.) Any way I think this may explain some of the odd tasting reviews that were being written in the 1900,s The very nature of the beast or fairy if you will, had become more sophisticated/civilized. Example...in my opinion C.F. Berger 1905 - has an underlying butterscotch flavor, not making it a "girly drink" but something far more approachable to the masses. And there were cherry, peach and other flavors out there too.
Anyway... just sharing a thought, Kiwi Bruce