Question about absinthe? Brands for sale and quality?

I just moved into a new home, as as a house warming gift a very good friend is purchasing me a bottle of Absinthe. I have never tried Absinthe, and have always been a little curious about it. Its said to have a black licorice flavor, and I love black licorice so I imagine that I would really like it. Anyway! He purchased 2 bottles, and a sugar spoon from somewhere in the Czech Republic...for around 130 plus shipping. (from a place website called originalabsinthe.com) After doing a bit research I saw that many Czech brands are not true absinthe, and almost always bad. Does anyone have any knowledge of this?