Distilled

Distilled is an exceptional compilation of practical and professional magic effects drawn from the repertoire of Ryan Plunkett, the resident magician at the renowned Chicago Magic Lounge. Much like a fine whiskey, this impressive collection has been meticulously refined through countless performances for enthusiastic audiences six nights a week.

With over 300 stunning photographs and 200 pages of detailed instructions, Distilled is a resource that deserves thorough exploration. As highlighted in the foreword by esteemed Magic Castle performer Mike Pisciotta, Ryan has dedicated significant effort to perfecting this material, ensuring that every nuance is addressed. Consequently, these expertly crafted routines can be seamlessly integrated into any close-up or parlor magic performance.

Distilled features Ryan’s innovative takes on classic effects, including his ACAAN-style routine, “Any Card at Our Numbers,” and “Paper and Silk,” a captivating cards-through-silk routine. Additionally, he showcases his inventive spirit with unique creations like “Fan Mail,” where a chosen card astonishingly matches one sealed in a piece of fan mail, and “Gravity Deck,” a mesmerizing effect involving the appearance and disappearance of a deck of cards that spectators can physically feel.

Here’s a glimpse of effects included in Distilled:

• Ace on Top – Ryan acknowledges this as likely the most performed effect from the book. This worker’s delight features an elegant combination of sleights and counts that are relatively easy to master. Even after openly rearranging a series of cards, they miraculously return to their original order.
• Any Card at Our Numbers – An excellent opener for formal card magic performances. A spectator selects one of two decks, shuffles it, and despite the thorough mixing, a card appears at the same number in both decks.
• Magnetic Silver – A visually striking interpretation of the Magnetic Coins effect. By eliminating common pitfalls found in previous versions, Ryan presents a complete routine that convincingly demonstrates two ordinary coins becoming magnetically attracted to one another, among other astonishing feats.
• The Time Machine – A deck of cards gradually travels back in time in Ryan’s original twist on a Triumph-inspired routine.