Did the RMS Titanic carry Absinthe?

Titanic Absinthe

Welcome back, dear friend. This week’s topic is a very controversial and also interesting one. We are sure you will love it. We will discuss whether there was Absinthe on the Titanic or not. It also has been discussed recently within the Absinthe community, which is why we wanted to talk about it, in order to give some more information. Of course, if the Titanic actually carried Absinthe, it would be awesome to be able to get one’s hand on some!

Absinthe on board of the Titanic?

Before going into the cargo manifesto and taking a closer look at everything that has been on board when the Titanic sank in 1912, it is important to know a little bit more about the Titanic, but also about the conditions this deep in the ocean. On April 14th 1912 the RMS Titanic sunk with a speed of 50 – 80 km/h (30 – 50 miles/hour) to an altitude of approximately 3800m (12500 ft.). This of course means that it lies on the bottom of the ocean, where it is very cold, but more importantly the pressure down there is very high…

Titanic Absinthe
Could Absinthe really survive down here?

Did the RMS Titanic carry Absinthe? Cargo list

Something that we need to keep in mind is that in 1912 the Absinthe Prohibition was already going on in the US. That means that theoretically Absinthe was not even allowed on the ship itself, at least in the harbor of New York. When taking a look at the Titanic Cargo List, it becomes apparent that the Titanic took a lot of things with her. Cargo includes: Wine, toothpaste, plants, apparel, leather and opium!. Unfortunately, there is no Absinthe to be found. However, there was “liquor” on the list of cargo. This could mean that there was as well Absinthe on board. Also considering that some 100 bottles (mainly wine and Champagne) have been sold, which were supposedly found in the wreck. Here you find more info about the auctions of Titanic memorabilia.

Vintage Absinthe Pernod Fils
Vintage Absinthe Pernod Fils, was it on board of the Titanic?

If the RMS Titanic carried Absinthe, how would it taste nowadays?

If past findings are any indication, then, the Titanic’s liquor (Absinthe) collection could have met a variety of fates. Fluctuations in temperature, bacteria and water pressure could have removed the seals of the bottles completely. Seepage might also have slowly replaced the original contents of the bottles with saltwater. Nevertheless, Absinthe bottles of this time were often covered with an alloy foil and wax. Therefore, maybe, some of the Titanic’s liquor (vintage Absinthe) collection lies on the ocean floor still intact and drinkable. After more than a century of deep sea collaring, still waiting to be tasted. We don’t know, but at least we can dream about it…

We’re curious: What do you think? Any chance that it carried some Absinthe..?

Much Love

Nico from the ALANDIA-Team