Name/Title
Glass alcoholometer, with paper caseEntry/Object ID
2025.1.235Description
Straight glass‑stem measuring instrument (alcoholometer) with its rolled paper/card storage tube. Clear glass stem encloses an internal enamel (milk‑glass) scale strip graduated 0–100, numerals every 10. Weighted/sealed end fitted with a metal tip; opposite end closed with a brown cork/cap; a paper wrap is wound around the lower stem. Accompanied by a slender cylindrical tube of rolled brown paper/cardstock (case), with a short string loop.Use
It belonged to Leopoldo Arús Gálvez, who used to distill aguardiente from the wine he made at home with rice and, alternatively, uva caleta.
The widow of Dr. Mirnagaray, a psychiatrist at Mazorra, the psychiatric hospital where he worked as a clinician, gifted him a complete laboratory distillation set. It marked the beginning of my grandfather’s home production of rum. He began distilling the wine he had been making. The quality was confirmed by a family member who worked at Havana Club, who analyzed it in the laboratory and approved it, recommending the use of activated carbon to refine the final spirit. My grandfather scaled up wine production to maintain a year-round supply of rum, including during our month-long stay at our family’s house in Guanabo beach in the summer.
During the Special Period, my grandfather increased production of rum to sell to a few acquaintances to make a profit to buy sugar and other things he needed to keep the household rum supply.Collection
The Cabrera Arús family collection, Leopoldo Arús Gálvez collectionMade/Created
Date made
1987Time Period
1980sPlace
Country
U.S.S.R.Region
Eastern EuropeContinent
EuropeNotes
Maker: Soviet manufacturer (unnamed on the object). Stem printed "Made in USSR," with an "OTK" (factory quality‑control) mark and a "TT" designation (meaning not established).
Date: Marked "4‑1987 г." — reads as the OTK control date, April 1987.Inscription/Signature/Marks
Notes
"ОТК 4‑1987 г."; "TT"; "Made in USSR"; "Graduat. at total immers…" (graduated‑at‑total‑immersion note); "°C" marking near the top of the scale; scale 0–100. No marks on the paper case.Parts
alcoholometer, case, case capMaterials
Material Notes
Materials: Glass (stem); internal enamel scale; metal tip; cork; paper wrap; rolled paper/cardstock case with string.
Technique: Mass‑produced graduated glass instrument; rolled/glued paper case.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Leopoldo Arús GálvezNotes
OwnerRelated Places
Place
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
UsePlace
Country
U.S.S.R.Region
Eastern EuropeContinent
EuropeNotes
ProductionCreated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
May 25, 2026Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
June 14, 2026
