BOTHELL, Wash. -- In a state known for world-class wine, there's another business brewing.

A growing number of local distilleries are tapping the state for licenses.

Banned for nearly a century, absinthe is back in bars, Water poured over a sugar cube cuts the bite of the 124-proof, licorice- flavored spirit, but doesn't douse sordid history.

"It was responsible for public indecency, intoxication, insanity," said Rob Williamson, bar manager of Russell's.Restaurant and Bar in Bothell.

The cloudy drink became so popular in Paris that French winemakers launched a smear campaign against the competition.

"You name the social ill, and the wine industry blamed it on absinthe at the time," said Williamson.

After the ban was legally lifted in 2007, the mystery and myths of the spirit attracted Marc Bernhard. He now bottles absinthe at his Woodinville distillery.

"It was kind of the bad-boy thing, the forbidden fruit. And then I tasted the stuff from a 100 years ago, and realized this stuff tastes great," he said.

In his copper still at Pacific Distillery, Bernhard replicates a recipe from 1855. He also makes gin.

Bernhard says a lot of people don't realize that a growing industry of distilleries is rising in Washington state.

There are only two distilleries in our state that have their products in local liquor stores, but more local liquor makers are applying for licenses now that there's a new law that allows distilleries to have sample rooms where customers can sample and buy the products.

The state Liquor Control Board has approved or considered nearly 20 new distilleries since the new licensing law kicked in.

"It's going to be a tourism draw a business boom," said Williamson.

Bernhard says making liquor is his labor of love. And for now, he doesn't plan on giving up his day job at Boeing.

On Wednesday, Pacific Distillery packed up its first full order of absinthe for the state. It will only be carried in class-A liquor stores because it runs about $63 a bottle.