II
Before describing the Pernod
& Sons factory, recognized by
experts as a model establish-
ment, a few words about the
fabrication processes employed
there.
One starts by macerating,
in spirits distilled from wine,
grand wormwood, melissa
with a delicate aroma, fennel of
Gard, and anise of Tarn or
Andalusia.
After this maceration comes distillation, which is done in
a double boiler heated by steam. This process is slower than
distillation by direct steam, but quite preferable in that it avoids
burning and does not allow the heavy oils to become entrained
with the alcohol saturated with the aromatic principles of the
plants.
Part of the product of distillation is then sent to special
apparatus called colorators, with hyssop and petite wormwood,
to obtain a concentrated product which is used to color the
absinthe.
