| Absinthe Books IV - Distillation Guides |
| Numerous guides to distillation techniques were published in France during the 19th century. The most scholarly and scientifically orientated were those by P.Duplais and J.Fritsch, whilst others, like J.de Brevans and A.Bedel aimed at the more popular market. |
| These texts are posted for HISTORICAL REFERENCE only. They are not "how-to" instructions for anything. Do not try to use them to make something and drink it, or let other people drink - if you do so, you are solely responsible for whatever results follow. |
| P.Duplais Traité de la Fabrication des Liqueurs et de la Distillation des Alcools 4th Edition, revised and augmented. Paris 1882 This authorative and much quoted distillation guide went through seven editions from 1855 to 1900. 12 pages are devoted to Crème d'Absinthe, Absinthe Ordinaire, Absinthe Fine and Absinthe Gazeuse in Vol I, and 13 pages to Absinthe Suisse in Vol II. Click on images to enlarge. |
Click on the Adobe PDF icon to download and view scans of all
absinthe-related sections from the Duplais 4th Edition. 1.95MB
absinthe-related sections from the Duplais 4th Edition. 1.95MB
Click on the Adobe PDF icon to see an English translation of
the absinthe sections from Vol I of the Duplais 4th Edition.
the absinthe sections from Vol I of the Duplais 4th Edition.
Traité de la Fabrication des Liqueurs et de la Distillation des Alcools - P.Duplais
7th Edition, entirely revised by Marcel Arpin & Ernest Portier, Paris 1899-1900
Click on the Adobe PDF icon to download and view scans of the absinthe chapter from the 7th edition.
7th Edition, entirely revised by Marcel Arpin & Ernest Portier, Paris 1899-1900
Click on the Adobe PDF icon to download and view scans of the absinthe chapter from the 7th edition.
| J.Fritsch Nouveau Traité de la Fabrication des Liqueurs d’Apres les Procedes les Plus Récents Paris, 1891 Fritsch was the editorial secretary of the influential journal La Distillerie Français Together with Duplais's similarly titled work, this 550 page volume is one of the most important guides to 19th century French distilling techniques. The 17 pages devoted specifically to absinthe are particularly comprehensive. Click on the image to see an enlarged version. |
Click on the Adobe icon to view an English
translation of the Fritsch absinthe text, by
kind permission of Artemis.
translation of the Fritsch absinthe text, by
kind permission of Artemis.
Click on the Adobe icon to view a French
transcription of the original text, by kind
permission of Sponge Bob & Artemis.
transcription of the original text, by kind
permission of Sponge Bob & Artemis.
Although published after the
1915 ban, the 1926 edition of
Fritsch's "Nouveau Traité"
included an eye-witness
account of the absinthe
oxygenation process at the
Cusenier factory
1915 ban, the 1926 edition of
Fritsch's "Nouveau Traité"
included an eye-witness
account of the absinthe
oxygenation process at the
Cusenier factory
Click to see a translation of
the oxygenation section.
the oxygenation section.
| A Practical Treatise on the Raw Materials and the Distillation and Rectification of Alcohol and the Preparation of Alcoholic Liquors, Liqueurs, Cordials and Bitters. By William T. Brannt Philadelphia 1885 Drawing heavily on Duplais, this is one of the few contemporary English language treatises dealing with the distillation of absinthe. |
| La Fabrication des Liqueurs. J. de Brevans 3rd Edition, Paris 1908 J.Moréal de Brevans was the principal chemist of the Municipal Laboratory in Paris. |
| Nouveau Manuel Complet du Distillateur Liquoriste by Lebeaud, de Fontenelle & Malepeyre. Manuels-Roret, Paris 1888 A widely used popular manual - this copy is annotated in the hand of M.Vichet, and was found on the premises of the old Vichet absinthe distillery. |
Click on the Adobe icon to view the
text of the absinthe section.
text of the absinthe section.
Click on the Adobe icon to
view a French transcription
of the original text.
view a French transcription
of the original text.
Click on the Adobe icon to
view a French transcription
and an English translation.
view a French transcription
and an English translation.
Click on the Adobe icon to
view an English translation.
view an English translation.
| La Nature 1894 - 2me Semestre A two-part article by A. Villon dealing with, inter alia, absinthe distillation, the accelerated ageing of absinthe by oxygenation, and the detection of faked and adulterated absinthes. Click on images to see enlarged versions. |
Click on the Adobe icon to view
the French text of Part II.
the French text of Part II.
Click on the Adobe icon to view
an English translation of Part II.
an English translation of Part II.
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