In the small factory opposite Troyes Cathedral, the copper pot dated 1840 smokes gently. In front of her, Tristan Masson, 23, stirs the sugar which melts over a wood fire to become Prunelle de Troyes, his favorite liqueur: how did this twenty-year-old make it his job?
In this special Factory, every action counts, from the preparation of crushed sloe stones to bottling. Tristan sums up his daily life: , explains Tristan Masson to France 3, proud to already make a living from his profession as a liquor maker.
The profession of liquor maker in the Prunelle de Troyes workshop
He pours around fifty liters of water into the caramelized sugar, then grabs his large wooden spatula. , he smiles.
Before, Tristan crushed the stones with a century-old millstone and oxygenated the liquor with dodine, he explains. After hours of carrying and stirring, he smiles:
Tristan Masson, 23 years old, a new generation of artisanal liquor maker
After a professional service baccalaureate and a technical-commercial BTS in wines and spirits, Tristan chose the Saint-Pierre cellar for an internship. He summarizes:
Trained for two years by master distiller Alexandre Krumenacher, he signed a permanent contract in 2024. he confides, before adding:
A liquor maker’s know-how between intangible heritage and living crafts
In 2024, the know-how of liqueurs was included in the intangible heritage of the Ministry of Culture. The General Agricultural Competition awarded 85 aperitifs and liqueurs, with Côte-d’Or winning 7 medals. Tristan is part of this movement:
A conduit to the public, he hosts Friday visits and a biennial gala.
Who is Tristan Masson?
Young artisanal liquor maker from Troy.
What is Prunelle de Troyes?
Local liqueur made from sloe stones.
What is a liquoriste?
Artisan who creates liqueurs by maceration and distillation.
