Butterfly Absinthe Massachusetts’ Hidden Absinthe History

A lot has been written about Boston’s part in the history of distilling in America. Boston was part of the “Triangle Trade” of the 17th and 18th century. This term was coined from the three points of trade for molasses for rum production. Boston would send timber and salt cod to the Caribbean in exchange for molasses. It was distilled in Boston into rum and sold to buy slaves from Africa. Slaves were then shipped to the Caribbean to produce more molasses – to be shipped to Boston. Rum was produced in Boston until 1983 (with a short break for Prohibition).

The distilling industry in Boston branched off into different distilled spirit. Whiskey was also distilled as were many “medicinal” spirits. One of the little known brands that were distilled in the Boston area was Butterfly Absinthe. It was produced in 1890’s by a P. Dempsey & Company of Lowell, MA. This distillery is one of few absinthe producers in the USA prior to prohibition.

P. Dempsey & Company was founded by Patrick Dempsey of Rathbran, Baltinglass, County Wicklow, Ireland. He was Born in 1822 and died in Lowell in 1902. He immigrated to the USA in 1842 and settled in Massachusetts. He entered the beverage business by first producing root beer in 1846. His business soon expanded in other beverages including absinthe. Upon is retirement, the business expanded its operations and had locations in Lowell and Boston.

Little is known about Butterfly absinthe. Intact bottles have not yet come to light and the only example that has entered the absinthe collector market is an empty pint bottle complete with label.