History has a way of repeating itself. Absinthe distillation was originally limited to the Val-de-Travers in Switzerland, a few tens of miles from France. As absinthe drinking became a mainstay of French lifestyle, production hopped over the border:
Pernod, the largest absinthe producer, opened factories in the town of Pontarlier, situated very close to the border of the two countries.
Out of the Pontarlier region came the
Pontarlier glass, conceived especially for preparing absinthe: A reservoir at the bottom holds an ideal amount of pure absinthe. You can then drip three to six parts cold water into the glass, enjoy the cloudy spectacle of the absinthe louche, and sip the complex and refreshing that is absinthe. Use an absinthe spoon if you like your drinks sweet.
Pontarlier in France was to absinthe, what Detroit was to the automobile! You can imagine the shock for absinthe drinkers and makers in 1915, when absinthe was banned. Pernod as market leader responded by moving production again, this time over the southern border to Spain, where the design of this
Spanish-Style Pontarlier Absinthe Glass comes from. These glasses distinguish themselves from other Pontarlier glasses as they are left with an elegant smooth surface, rather than being ground and faceted. We like both styles.
These glasses have been
made and finished by hand, not machines! As with all handmade absinthe glasses, there is a certain amount of variation in the size of the reservoirs, and the glass may have slight bumps or air bubbles trapped in it. This is a sign of traditional craftsmanship rather than mass production:
unique, elegant originals. These glasses are very enjoyable to drink from and have a pleasing weight in the hand.
Approx 15cm tall, 9cm diameter.
If you're looking for more styles of Pontarlier glass, you can find them here:
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Pontarlier Absinthe Glass - High Quality. A handmade glass with facets.
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Pontarlier II Glass. A robust, cost-effective option, good for bars or restaurants. Machine moulded in France.
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Grand Pontarlier Absinthe Glass. Massive and impressive, made with a vintage glass-blowing mould. Handmade in Europe.