Combier Distillery

Next stop...the Combier Distillery. Founded by Jean Batiste in 1834, Combier takes credit for creating and manufactuing the finest Triple Sec, hence their motto "La Beaute Du Zeste!" Along with Triple Sec, Combier was also one of the primary manufacturers of Absinthe! Unfortunately, Absinthe production was banned from 1915-1988...but it's back baby! There is actually a picture of me below holding the wormwood grain that produces authentic Absinthe.

The actual distillery equipment room was originally designed by Gustave Eiffel...you know, that guy who created the tower.

The front gates of the distillery looked like the outside of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. I half expected some drunken oompa loompa's to be in the back room chugging Pastis and Cognac all morning.

Why do I know so much about the Combier Distillery? It may be because I didn't have a change of clothes out of my chef whites, so I was walking around the tour in my kitchen gear...we believe the tour guide thought I was a fancy-schmancy American chef galavanting around the french countryside.

One of my favorite moments of the day was realizing that I didn't have my wallet on me...which ultimately led to Pamela, our designated non-drinker, having to pony up and spot me so I could buy a bottle of Absinthe. Thanks again Pam, I will think of you with every glass of that sweet nectar!