A superb bottle of Absinthe Pernod Fils in
excellent condition - very good level,
neck-foil largely intact, branded grey wax
seal very crisply struck, label complete
with only very minor scuffing. The contents
are bright and clear. The bottle still shows
some crudity - bubbles in the glass - and
certainly dates from before 1910, most
likely around 1905.
This is the classic absinthe of the Belle
Epoque, the benchmark by which all
others are judged. Bottles in such pristine
condition are extremely rare.
Offered strictly first come, first served.
SOLD.
excellent condition - very good level,
neck-foil largely intact, branded grey wax
seal very crisply struck, label complete
with only very minor scuffing. The contents
are bright and clear. The bottle still shows
some crudity - bubbles in the glass - and
certainly dates from before 1910, most
likely around 1905.
This is the classic absinthe of the Belle
Epoque, the benchmark by which all
others are judged. Bottles in such pristine
condition are extremely rare.
Offered strictly first come, first served.
SOLD.
| Original Vintage Absinthe For Sale I |
| For the finest modern absinthes, please visit our sister site, Absinthe Classics. |
To drink a pre-ban absinthe from 1910, from the era of Toulouse Lautrec and Van Gogh, of Verlaine and Rimbaud is an
extraordinary and life enhancing experience - this is truly, in Conrad's words, history in a bottle - one has the feeling of reaching
back like a time traveller into the distant past, and feeling for just a moment a flicker of the warmth of a summer's day on a
Parisian boulevard a century ago. Vintage absinthe is far rarer than ancient cognac, pre-prohibition bourbon, or any other vintage
spirit. Every surviving bottle is a precious relic. No more than a few hundred people on earth have tasted vintage absinthe (most
of them via this website). Most purchasers extract a small sample to taste via a hypodermic syringe through the cork, but leave
the bottle otherwise intact for future generations.
We continually search throughout France, Switzerland and Spain for sealed bottles of vintage absinthe, in fine original condition.
When we do find pre-1915 bottles, they tend to sell very quickly, often to buyers already on our waiting list, although
occasionally we are able to offer them here.
extraordinary and life enhancing experience - this is truly, in Conrad's words, history in a bottle - one has the feeling of reaching
back like a time traveller into the distant past, and feeling for just a moment a flicker of the warmth of a summer's day on a
Parisian boulevard a century ago. Vintage absinthe is far rarer than ancient cognac, pre-prohibition bourbon, or any other vintage
spirit. Every surviving bottle is a precious relic. No more than a few hundred people on earth have tasted vintage absinthe (most
of them via this website). Most purchasers extract a small sample to taste via a hypodermic syringe through the cork, but leave
the bottle otherwise intact for future generations.
We continually search throughout France, Switzerland and Spain for sealed bottles of vintage absinthe, in fine original condition.
When we do find pre-1915 bottles, they tend to sell very quickly, often to buyers already on our waiting list, although
occasionally we are able to offer them here.
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Click here to see some of the vintage absinthes we've sold in the last few years.
Occasionally, rather than sell a vintage bottle intact, we decant it into 30, 50 or 100ml sample bottles, which are sold individually.
This allows a wider group of people to experience the thrill of tasting vintage absinthe, at a more affordable price.
Here are photos of some interesting bottles we've sold over the last year in tasting sample form.
Please email us for further details of any of the vintage absinthes shown below, or if you'd like to place an order, or to put
your name on the waiting list if you're a serious potential purchaser for future offers.
Occasionally, rather than sell a vintage bottle intact, we decant it into 30, 50 or 100ml sample bottles, which are sold individually.
This allows a wider group of people to experience the thrill of tasting vintage absinthe, at a more affordable price.
Here are photos of some interesting bottles we've sold over the last year in tasting sample form.
Please email us for further details of any of the vintage absinthes shown below, or if you'd like to place an order, or to put
your name on the waiting list if you're a serious potential purchaser for future offers.
| Update 6th March 2008 4 superb bottles: Jules Pernod, Edouard Pernod and 2 x Pernod Fils |
Four outstanding pre-ban absinthes, including a magnificent and very rare bottle of Absinthe Jules Pernod, the great Avignon-based rival
firm to Pernod Fils.
firm to Pernod Fils.
There are two identical circa 1910 Absinthe Pernod Fils bottles, both in near perfect condition.
SOLD OUT.
An extremely rare and important bottle from the oldest of all absinthe firms, founded in 1798 by Major
Dubied, who'd bought the legendary "Dr Ordinaire" recipe from the Henriod sisters. The closest we
have to a direct link to the fabled initial formulation of Dr Ordinaire.
Fine condition, with a perfect seal and an unusually high quality cork. The bottle itself is crudely
handblown, slightly lobsided, with a deep punt. It likely dates to around 1895.
Dubied, who'd bought the legendary "Dr Ordinaire" recipe from the Henriod sisters. The closest we
have to a direct link to the fabled initial formulation of Dr Ordinaire.
Fine condition, with a perfect seal and an unusually high quality cork. The bottle itself is crudely
handblown, slightly lobsided, with a deep punt. It likely dates to around 1895.
These four bottles all come from the same extraordinary cache - they have had absolutely no light exposure, and have been cellared in the
same location, untouched, since the first decades of the last century.
The major rarity is the Absinthe Jules Pernod. This large and prestigious Avignon based distillery was the bitter rival of Pontarlier-based
Maison Pernod Fils. Jules Pernod was one of the top half a dozen absinthe brands of the era, and this is, the best of my knowledge, the
first intact bottle ever found. The smaller half-litre bottle of Absinthe Edouard Pernod has some wear to the label, but the level is excellent,
and the all-important branded red wax seal on top of the cork is absolutely intact. This is the sister absinthe of Pernod Fils, closer to the
Swiss style, more spicy and less floral than Pernod Fils. One of the great classics of the Belle Epoque.
same location, untouched, since the first decades of the last century.
The major rarity is the Absinthe Jules Pernod. This large and prestigious Avignon based distillery was the bitter rival of Pontarlier-based
Maison Pernod Fils. Jules Pernod was one of the top half a dozen absinthe brands of the era, and this is, the best of my knowledge, the
first intact bottle ever found. The smaller half-litre bottle of Absinthe Edouard Pernod has some wear to the label, but the level is excellent,
and the all-important branded red wax seal on top of the cork is absolutely intact. This is the sister absinthe of Pernod Fils, closer to the
Swiss style, more spicy and less floral than Pernod Fils. One of the great classics of the Belle Epoque.
All four bottles are SOLD.
| Update 18th April 2008 Fritz Duval, successeur de Dubied Pere & Fils, Extrait d'Absinthe 72%. Circa 1895. SOLD OUT. |
Because of the unusual importance of this bottle, I've decided to sell
the contents in sample bottle form. The absinthe has been carefully
decanted into sterile laboratory-grade 30ml amber glass sample
bottles. 30ml is enough for one large glasses, or 2 small tasting
glasses.
The absinthe is very well preserved, a deep amber with faint olive
highlights when first poured. The louche is beautifully slow and full,
and the colour develops into an opaque peachy amber. There is a
noticeable scent of wormwood on the nose, and on the palate the
absinthe is remarkably smooth and well integrated, with no one
flavour predominating. A wonderful drink!
Click on the images to enlarge.
the contents in sample bottle form. The absinthe has been carefully
decanted into sterile laboratory-grade 30ml amber glass sample
bottles. 30ml is enough for one large glasses, or 2 small tasting
glasses.
The absinthe is very well preserved, a deep amber with faint olive
highlights when first poured. The louche is beautifully slow and full,
and the colour develops into an opaque peachy amber. There is a
noticeable scent of wormwood on the nose, and on the palate the
absinthe is remarkably smooth and well integrated, with no one
flavour predominating. A wonderful drink!
Click on the images to enlarge.
| Update 2nd April 2008 Absinthe Suisse "Grand Distillerie Lyonnaise" circa 1890-95 The first intact "Absinthe Lyonnaise" discovered in the modern era. |
This is an exceptional bottle - a circa 1890-95 Absinthe Suisse,
marked "Grande Distillerie Lyonnaise". Lyons was a noticable centre
for absinthe production, and an "absinthe Lyonnaise" was a specific
regional recipe (a high percentage of angelica root in the distillation,
and veronica added to the colouring step).
The bottle has a capacity of around 600ml and is crudely blown with
numerous bubbles and irregularities in the glass, and a deep punt. It
may date to even earlier than 1890-95, but I wanted to err on the side of
caution.
This is the first example of an absinthe Lyonnaise I have found. It's an
absolutely superb tasting absinthe - click here for a detailed tasting
review by a well-known French absintheur.
"Absinthe Suisse" was the highest quality designation possible in the
era, indicating a naturally coloured absinthe of the finest quality. The
wording "Grande Distillerie Lyonnaise" almost certainly indicates that
this was manufactured by the Ferrand Freres distillery in Lyon.
marked "Grande Distillerie Lyonnaise". Lyons was a noticable centre
for absinthe production, and an "absinthe Lyonnaise" was a specific
regional recipe (a high percentage of angelica root in the distillation,
and veronica added to the colouring step).
The bottle has a capacity of around 600ml and is crudely blown with
numerous bubbles and irregularities in the glass, and a deep punt. It
may date to even earlier than 1890-95, but I wanted to err on the side of
caution.
This is the first example of an absinthe Lyonnaise I have found. It's an
absolutely superb tasting absinthe - click here for a detailed tasting
review by a well-known French absintheur.
"Absinthe Suisse" was the highest quality designation possible in the
era, indicating a naturally coloured absinthe of the finest quality. The
wording "Grande Distillerie Lyonnaise" almost certainly indicates that
this was manufactured by the Ferrand Freres distillery in Lyon.
This bottle is SOLD.
An almost perfect sealed bottle circa 1910 Absinthe Pernod Fils bottle, offered in sample form. Very good
level, perfect seal. This is the most famous of all absinthes, the benchmark against which all others are
judged. The quintessential vintage absinthe.
This is the very last Pernod Fils bottle from the wonderful "Palazzo" cache discovered in Venice in 2007,
which has so far yielded nearly 50 bottles of perfectly preserved vintage absinthe. I've decided to sell the
contents of this bottle in sample bottle form. The absinthe has been carefully decanted into sterile
laboratory-grade 50ml amber glass sample bottles. 50ml is enough for two large glasses, or 3 smaller
tasting glasses.
Aside from the thrill and romance of drinking a century old liquor from the Belle Epoque, superbly
preserved Pernod Fils like this is infinitely superior to even the very best modern absinthes made today -
quite simply, until you've tasted pre-ban absinthe like this, you don't know what absinthe can taste like.
level, perfect seal. This is the most famous of all absinthes, the benchmark against which all others are
judged. The quintessential vintage absinthe.
This is the very last Pernod Fils bottle from the wonderful "Palazzo" cache discovered in Venice in 2007,
which has so far yielded nearly 50 bottles of perfectly preserved vintage absinthe. I've decided to sell the
contents of this bottle in sample bottle form. The absinthe has been carefully decanted into sterile
laboratory-grade 50ml amber glass sample bottles. 50ml is enough for two large glasses, or 3 smaller
tasting glasses.
Aside from the thrill and romance of drinking a century old liquor from the Belle Epoque, superbly
preserved Pernod Fils like this is infinitely superior to even the very best modern absinthes made today -
quite simply, until you've tasted pre-ban absinthe like this, you don't know what absinthe can taste like.
| Update 4th May 2008 Absinthe Pernod Fils, circa 1910 The very last Pernod bottle from the remarkable "Palazzo" cache. SOLD OUT. |
Click on the image to see an enlarged version.
SOLD OUT.
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An extraordinarily early Swiss bottle, likely the oldest intact Swiss absinthe to have survived. Found
alongside the Edouard Pernod bottle shown below in the same cellar bin. The distiller, J.V.&Ca were
based in the canton of Neuchatel (here rendered in the archaic spelling "Neufchatel"), just inside the
Swiss border in the area where it is demarcated by the river Doubs.
Very early and crudely hand-blown bottle of great character, with an exceptionally deep punt (around
8cm) and many irregularities in the glass. The bottle has a non-standard capacity of 0.65 - 0.7 litre.
Intact label, and the remainder of the original red wax seal, on which the Swiss Cross can just be made
out. Good level, and no moisture or seepage round the cork. The contents are amber coloured, bright
and clear.
alongside the Edouard Pernod bottle shown below in the same cellar bin. The distiller, J.V.&Ca were
based in the canton of Neuchatel (here rendered in the archaic spelling "Neufchatel"), just inside the
Swiss border in the area where it is demarcated by the river Doubs.
Very early and crudely hand-blown bottle of great character, with an exceptionally deep punt (around
8cm) and many irregularities in the glass. The bottle has a non-standard capacity of 0.65 - 0.7 litre.
Intact label, and the remainder of the original red wax seal, on which the Swiss Cross can just be made
out. Good level, and no moisture or seepage round the cork. The contents are amber coloured, bright
and clear.
| Absinthe J.V.& Ca Neufchatel (Doubs) circa 1880 The oldest intact Swiss absinthe yet discovered, in a superb hand-blown bottle. Update 14th August 2008 SOLD |
This is an exceptional bottle. The branch of Edouard Pernod in Lunel was sold off and changed it's name
to Gempp Pernod in 1880, so this bottle can be dated with confidence to prior to that date. It's the earliest
intact sealed absinthe bottle yet unearthed.
Handblown one-litre bottle with many small bubbles and irregularities in the glass, as one would expect
from a bottle of this era. Crudely applied glass neck seal, and perfect fully intact branded wax seal on the
cork. Not a trace of seepage, and an excellent level. Beautiful label, in overall very good condition. The
contents appear in excellent condition, amber coloured, bright and clear. A highly important survival from
one of the greatest marques.
to Gempp Pernod in 1880, so this bottle can be dated with confidence to prior to that date. It's the earliest
intact sealed absinthe bottle yet unearthed.
Handblown one-litre bottle with many small bubbles and irregularities in the glass, as one would expect
from a bottle of this era. Crudely applied glass neck seal, and perfect fully intact branded wax seal on the
cork. Not a trace of seepage, and an excellent level. Beautiful label, in overall very good condition. The
contents appear in excellent condition, amber coloured, bright and clear. A highly important survival from
one of the greatest marques.
| Absinthe Edouard Pernod - Lunel (Herault), circa 1870-1880 The oldest intact absinthe bottle yet discovered, from one of the greatest marques. Update 14th August 2008 SOLD |
| Update 23rd January 2009 A superb circa 1905-1910 intact bottle of Absinthe Pernod Fils |
| Update 23rd January 2009 A superb circa 1910 intact bottle of Absinthe Pernod Fils |
A superb bottle of Absinthe Pernod Fils in
excellent condition - very good level,
neck-foil almost all intact, branded wax
seal still green, label complete with only
very minor scuffing. The contents are
bright and clear. The bottle still shows
slight crudity - bubbles in the glass - and
likely dates from around 1910.
This is the classic absinthe of the Belle
Epoque, the benchmark by which all
others are judged. Bottles in such pristine
condition are extremely rare. A very
desirable bottle.
Offered strictly first come, first served.
SOLD.
excellent condition - very good level,
neck-foil almost all intact, branded wax
seal still green, label complete with only
very minor scuffing. The contents are
bright and clear. The bottle still shows
slight crudity - bubbles in the glass - and
likely dates from around 1910.
This is the classic absinthe of the Belle
Epoque, the benchmark by which all
others are judged. Bottles in such pristine
condition are extremely rare. A very
desirable bottle.
Offered strictly first come, first served.
SOLD.
A rare and spectacular bottle, the only intact example of this marque ever found. Arguably also the first
intact example found of any pre-ban absinthe made using the "Oxygénée" process.
Immaculate condition - excellent label, intact neck foil, very good level. The bottle dates from around
1910.
This is top quality Suisse-grade absinthe (note the Swiss Cross on the label) made in the Languedoc
town of Pézenas using the "Oxygénée" process made famous by Cusenier. This involved the injection
of oxygen under high pressure into the absinthe, something that was believed to improve the flavour,
and add to the health-giving qualities of the drink. It's likely that the word "Oxigénée" is spelt with an "i"
not a "y" on the label to avoid any trademark issues with Cusenier.
The label reads:
Absinthe Qualité Supérieure / Oxigénée / DOUBLE / Maison Navarre / Pézenas
Cette absinthe est le produit de la distillation des absinthes de Pontarlier et la coloration est
absolument végétale
(This absinthe is the product of the distillation of Pontarlier wormwood and the coloration is entirely
vegetal - ie naturally derived from whole herbs)
A quite extraordinarily important bottle, a rare treasure for the serious collector.
SOLD.
intact example found of any pre-ban absinthe made using the "Oxygénée" process.
Immaculate condition - excellent label, intact neck foil, very good level. The bottle dates from around
1910.
This is top quality Suisse-grade absinthe (note the Swiss Cross on the label) made in the Languedoc
town of Pézenas using the "Oxygénée" process made famous by Cusenier. This involved the injection
of oxygen under high pressure into the absinthe, something that was believed to improve the flavour,
and add to the health-giving qualities of the drink. It's likely that the word "Oxigénée" is spelt with an "i"
not a "y" on the label to avoid any trademark issues with Cusenier.
The label reads:
Absinthe Qualité Supérieure / Oxigénée / DOUBLE / Maison Navarre / Pézenas
Cette absinthe est le produit de la distillation des absinthes de Pontarlier et la coloration est
absolument végétale
(This absinthe is the product of the distillation of Pontarlier wormwood and the coloration is entirely
vegetal - ie naturally derived from whole herbs)
A quite extraordinarily important bottle, a rare treasure for the serious collector.
SOLD.
A spectacular circa 1910 Absinthe Oxigénée Double Maison Navarre, the first intact bottle of this marque ever found. |
An extremely early circa 1865 Pontarlier-style absinthe of unknown origin, offered in 30ml and 50ml sample bottles. |
This is a crudely hand-blown circa 1860 - 1870 bottle with an irregular base, considerable crudity in the glass,
and an extremely deep punt, as can be seen in the photo. It holds about 550ml of absinthe. Taste-wise, this is
a classic pre-ban Pontarlier-style absinthe, with a rich and powerful louche and noticable wormwood on the
palate. It's likely to come from one of the smaller Pontarlier producers. The colour is the peach-amber often
found in the early absinthes of Duval or Dornier Tuller, and this may well be a very early example of one of
these marques
and an extremely deep punt, as can be seen in the photo. It holds about 550ml of absinthe. Taste-wise, this is
a classic pre-ban Pontarlier-style absinthe, with a rich and powerful louche and noticable wormwood on the
palate. It's likely to come from one of the smaller Pontarlier producers. The colour is the peach-amber often
found in the early absinthes of Duval or Dornier Tuller, and this may well be a very early example of one of
these marques
I've decided to sell the contents of this bottle
in sample bottle form. The absinthe has
been carefully decanted into sterile
laboratory-grade 30ml or 50ml amber glass
sample bottles. 50ml is enough for two large
glasses, or 3 smaller tasting glasses; 30ml
is enough for one large glass or two smaller
tasting glasses.
This is a rare opportunity to taste one of the
earliest surviving absinthes.
SOLD OUT.
in sample bottle form. The absinthe has
been carefully decanted into sterile
laboratory-grade 30ml or 50ml amber glass
sample bottles. 50ml is enough for two large
glasses, or 3 smaller tasting glasses; 30ml
is enough for one large glass or two smaller
tasting glasses.
This is a rare opportunity to taste one of the
earliest surviving absinthes.
SOLD OUT.
A wonderfully well preserved bottle of Absinthe Edouard Pernod, the sister
company to Pernod Fils and one of the half-dozen greatest absinthe marques of
the era. Particularly notable here is the fully intact wax seal on the cork, a rare
survival.
Edouard Pernod is a rich and spicy absinthe representative of the Swiss style,
perhaps not quite as floral as Pernod Fils, but quite superb in its own right, with a
spectacular louche.
company to Pernod Fils and one of the half-dozen greatest absinthe marques of
the era. Particularly notable here is the fully intact wax seal on the cork, a rare
survival.
Edouard Pernod is a rich and spicy absinthe representative of the Swiss style,
perhaps not quite as floral as Pernod Fils, but quite superb in its own right, with a
spectacular louche.
A very fine intact circa 1900 Absinthe Edouard Pernod, in exceptional condition |
Update 20th Feb: SOLD.
Click on the images to
see enlarged versions.
see enlarged versions.