Flavourful Liqueurs
"ALEMBIC, a vessel used for distilling, and which consists of a flask or a boiler with an almost round top, ending in an oblique pipe, through which the condensed vapours pass, before being collected in a bottle or flask fitted to the device, known as the recipient."
Denis Diderot
This illustration of the Encyclopaedia covers the distillation of eau-de-vie. It shows the workshop, or kiln, and its equipment: a bassiot (a small tub), coils, and other instruments. Local know-how of this process remains alive in the village of Millières, with its Georges Decorse Distillery. This business, born of the know-how of several generations of grower-distillers, has two open-fire stills, and two bain-marie stills, made entirely of copper.
With greatest respect to the craft tradition, the distillery produces a range of eaux-de-vie and liqueurs of various flavours: Pear Williams, sloe, plum, mirabelle plum, damson, elderberry... These drinks delight the palate, and regularly receive awards.
The atmosphere fills with flavour in autumn, when at the foot of the property, in the heart of the village, fully-ripening fruits pile up in overflowing heaps, and when eau-de-vie enthusiasts can be found taking their harvests to the distillery. It is at this time that the elders of the village rediscover the smells and feelings of their childhood...
Other alcoholic drinks produced in the Pays de Langres also figure amongst its renowned regional produce: Redcurrant and blackcurrant Rubis in Bugnières, liqueurs and Crèmes de Cassis in Isômes...
