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Cristallerias San Miguel in Barcelona has been in continuous production since the 1840's, and
is the only glassworks still making absinthe glasses using original century old moulds, and
techniques unchanged since the 19th century. These glasses are not reproductions in the
conventional sense, but rather exact clones of the original Belle Epoque era glasses, made in
the same factory, with the same materials and the same time-honoured method of production.
At a fraction of the price of antique glasses, these magnificent hand-blown glasses represent,
in our opinion, some of the best value in absinthe accoutrements today.
Two styles of glasses are made - the traditional Spanish Tarragona Reservoir Glass and the
imposing Grand Pontarlier Crystal Glass, and . Both are available with matching glass
brouilleurs or drippers.
Please scroll down the page to see a series of photos documenting every stage of the
production of these glasses, taken during a visit to the distillery in September 2006.
is the only glassworks still making absinthe glasses using original century old moulds, and
techniques unchanged since the 19th century. These glasses are not reproductions in the
conventional sense, but rather exact clones of the original Belle Epoque era glasses, made in
the same factory, with the same materials and the same time-honoured method of production.
At a fraction of the price of antique glasses, these magnificent hand-blown glasses represent,
in our opinion, some of the best value in absinthe accoutrements today.
Two styles of glasses are made - the traditional Spanish Tarragona Reservoir Glass and the
imposing Grand Pontarlier Crystal Glass, and . Both are available with matching glass
brouilleurs or drippers.
Please scroll down the page to see a series of photos documenting every stage of the
production of these glasses, taken during a visit to the distillery in September 2006.
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| This website and all its contents Copyright 2002- 2007 Oxygenee Ltd. No pictures or text may be reproduced or used in any form without written permission of the site owner. |
| Cristallerias San Miguel Absinthe Glasses |
| The original circa 1900 hinged mould still used to make this glass today. |
| An overview of the glass blowing facility, with glass furnace center left. Click on the image to enlarge. |
| A worker takes a blob of molten glass from the furnace, attached to a blowpipe. |
| Another worker rolls and crudely forms the blob before blowing. |
The glassblower blows the blob of glass into the
hinged mould, set below the level of the floor. Once the
initial form has been obtained, he uses a foot pedal to
open the mould and remove the glass. The mould itself
drops away from the glass and into a solution of water
and anti-oxidants to cool it, prior to it being used for the
next glass.
hinged mould, set below the level of the floor. Once the
initial form has been obtained, he uses a foot pedal to
open the mould and remove the glass. The mould itself
drops away from the glass and into a solution of water
and anti-oxidants to cool it, prior to it being used for the
next glass.
| The partly finished glass is brought to the master glass shaper, who turns and cools the glass to stabilize it. |
| A worker brings a second blob of molten glass from the furnace, in order to attach to the semi-formed glass and shape into a stem. |
| The master glass-shaper clips the molten glass from the pipe. |
| The stem is shaped and rolled with the aide of a file and specialized clamps. |
Twisting and heating the stem in order to
create the foot.
create the foot.
| The glass is then spun in order to flatten and shape the round foot |
The glass is removed
entirely from the blowpipe,
placed in a vertical clamp
and is heated again.
entirely from the blowpipe,
placed in a vertical clamp
and is heated again.
This clamp then lowers the glass
into a small secondary furnace,
and the bubble of excess glass at
the top drops away from the ideal
glass shape, thus creating the rim.
into a small secondary furnace,
and the bubble of excess glass at
the top drops away from the ideal
glass shape, thus creating the rim.
| The finished glasses are placed in an annealing oven, which tempers them. |
This glass has remained entirely unchanged for more than 70 years, and the same model
numbers are still used today for these glasses!
Click on the images to enlarge.
numbers are still used today for these glasses!
Click on the images to enlarge.
Grand Pontarlier Crystal Glass & Dripper
This large volume glass, in total approximately 41cl - almost 14 ounces - is 15cm in
height and 10cm in diameter. An ideal glass for the connoisseur who wants to
appreciate the delicate aromas and flavours of the best absinthes without overfilling. It
can be comfortably swirled by holding the base. The dosed stem has not been altered
from the original mould and is around 2.5cl. (note: due to the hand-blown process, dose
sizes may vary slightly from glass to glass)
Should you wish to use an absinthe spoon with this glass, we suggest a Les Cuilleres
model, which is best suited to a large mouthed glass like this.
However, rather than use a spoon, our recommendation for this glass is to use the
matching absinthe dripper or brouilleur. A full 10.2 centimeters in diameter this dripper
cup will fit atop virtually ANY modern or antique absinthe glass, but has been specifically
designed to fit the Grand Pontarlier glass perfectly.
This large volume glass, in total approximately 41cl - almost 14 ounces - is 15cm in
height and 10cm in diameter. An ideal glass for the connoisseur who wants to
appreciate the delicate aromas and flavours of the best absinthes without overfilling. It
can be comfortably swirled by holding the base. The dosed stem has not been altered
from the original mould and is around 2.5cl. (note: due to the hand-blown process, dose
sizes may vary slightly from glass to glass)
Should you wish to use an absinthe spoon with this glass, we suggest a Les Cuilleres
model, which is best suited to a large mouthed glass like this.
However, rather than use a spoon, our recommendation for this glass is to use the
matching absinthe dripper or brouilleur. A full 10.2 centimeters in diameter this dripper
cup will fit atop virtually ANY modern or antique absinthe glass, but has been specifically
designed to fit the Grand Pontarlier glass perfectly.
When you click on any of the links above, a new window will open, taking you directly
to our shippers secure ordering system. Please return to this site to continue
shopping afterwards.
to our shippers secure ordering system. Please return to this site to continue
shopping afterwards.
Tarragona Reservoir Glass & Dripper
This fine hand-blown crystal reservoir glass is our favorite glass for everyday use. It lends itself
perfectly to preparing absinthe, for which it was originally designed, but can be used with
enjoyment for any drink. It just feels good in your hand! This piece (along with the dripper and
dripper set) is identical to antiques found on the market, and has been made continuously by
Cristallerias San Miguel since the early 20th century.
This fine hand-blown crystal reservoir glass is our favorite glass for everyday use. It lends itself
perfectly to preparing absinthe, for which it was originally designed, but can be used with
enjoyment for any drink. It just feels good in your hand! This piece (along with the dripper and
dripper set) is identical to antiques found on the market, and has been made continuously by
Cristallerias San Miguel since the early 20th century.
When you click on any of the links above, a new window will open, taking you
directly to our shippers secure ordering system. Please return to this site to
continue shopping afterwards.
directly to our shippers secure ordering system. Please return to this site to
continue shopping afterwards.
The matching hand blown crystal glass
dripper makes an ideal partner for this glass,
and is much the easiest way to prepare an
dripper makes an ideal partner for this glass,
and is much the easiest way to prepare an
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expertly mixed absinthe. Just set it on top of the glass and fill it with cracked ice and
water then allow the water to drip into the glass. If you like to use sugar, place a cube
over the hole before adding ice. A slower drip can be achieved by adding water in small
amounts in several steps or, in warmer settings, allowing shaved ice to melt on its own.
water then allow the water to drip into the glass. If you like to use sugar, place a cube
over the hole before adding ice. A slower drip can be achieved by adding water in small
amounts in several steps or, in warmer settings, allowing shaved ice to melt on its own.
| NOW IN STOCK! Absinthe Doubs Mystique "Carte d'or" and Absinthe Roquette "1797" distilled in Pontarlier. |
| Jade PF 1901 and Jade Verte Suisse now back in stock. |
| Our new facsimile of the Duplais distillation guide, the "Bible" of absinthe distillation, is now available. |
Tarragona glasses and drippers NOW BACK IN STOCK!