Hi folks.
So it seems to me that in many cases specific hardware is used to produce certain types of spirits, but of course it's usually not required as it's possible to use just about any kind of still to make just about any type of liquor. Some are better suited to certain spirits of course, like say a forced reflux and Vodka. It's relatively easy to find what stills are commonly used, like fractional, pot, reflux, forced reflux, etc...
However one that sticks out like a sore thumb, and there's very little information about, are stills designed for making absinthe. After looking at the equipment used at two of the most highly regarded absinthe distilleries, Artemisia-Bugnon and Emile Pernot, they both use a very unique setup.
Emile Pernod Distillery:
I'm wondering if anyone has any insight?
Why two stills, one small one large?
The strange silver and copper spheres?
The two odd copper "thumpers" below the large still tank of some sort? Or perhaps its just there to support the mysterious spheres?
Arcane absinthe distilleries
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- kiwi Bruce
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Re: Arcane absinthe distilleries
There are century old photos of the alembic stills that where used in the French Absinthe making districts, that don't show this kind of set-up, with the balls and all (The new absinthe distillers seem to like to let there balls hang out!) the old stills seem to go straight into regular copper condensers...the balls may be a way to reduce the thujone in the product...this is very restricted in the EU...the two sized alembics would be because they are distilling the Wormwood separately from the rest of the "trinity", or the "trinity" separately from the secondary herbs...this would give them a quality control advantage.
Are you into Absinthe?
Are you into Absinthe?
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- kiwi Bruce
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Re: Arcane absinthe distilleries
Anabasis...what happened?...You live on the Big Island and fell into the Kilauea caldera?
Getting hung up all day on smiles
Re: Arcane absinthe distilleries
Haha, I apologise I haven't checked this in forever. Interesting, I had the thought that the balls collect something from the vapors but I suppose thujone makes the most sense. Also it makes sense having 2 stills now that you mention that, I've frequently seen that setup. I'm definitely into Absinthe, I've been making it for a couple months now and it's going quite well!
Re: Arcane absinthe distilleries
They have nothing to do with thujone. They are rectifying balls, serving a purpose similar to that of a single plate.
https://www.absinthes.com/en/absinthe-e ... tillation/
https://www.absinthes.com/en/absinthe-e ... tillation/
- kiwi Bruce
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Re: Arcane absinthe distilleries
Hot stuff Chris ! That's a very cool link and Thank You !
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- kiwi Bruce
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Re: Arcane absinthe distilleries
Be careful what questions you ask about absinthe on HD...I made that mistake when I first came on board and had the Absinthe Nazi's jump down my throat...if it hadn't been for Jimbo I would have left and never come back, but he smoothed everything back out...and Bob's your Uncle.Anabasis wrote: I'm definitely into Absinthe,
Getting hung up all day on smiles
Re: Arcane absinthe distilleries
Interesting, I'll be careful. Also, excellent information in the link, thanks NZChris.
Re: Arcane absinthe distilleries
Ask whatever you want, just don't expect that every answer is from someone who is as much of an expert as they think they are, or that the best person to answer your question posts here and will reply.kiwi Bruce wrote:Be careful what questions you ask about absinthe on HD...I made that mistake when I first came on board and had the Absinthe Nazi's jump down my throat...if it hadn't been for Jimbo I would have left and never come back, but he smoothed everything back out...and Bob's your Uncle.