Sounds like it very likely could have been some sort of simple alcohol extraction. There are so many names for what is basically the same thing though so who knows for sure. Something like what you described can be produced by doing a quick wash with high proof alcohol like ISO alcohol or Everclear. Then it is evaporated, heated, frozen, and the oil crystalizes. Then you scrape off those crystals, consolidate them, apply heat, whip the resulting goo, and freeze it again. The result is this thin, crystal like stuff that almost resembles hard candy. Bubbles like hell, is very potent, and can be anywhere from a golden color to dark brown or black depending on the original extraction. Much, MUCH better than anything that can be made with butane if done right IMO.