| - Chartreuse - The Monks' Elixir Verte, Jaune & Elixir Vegetal |
In 1605, Francois Hannibal d’Estrees, marshal of the French king’s artillery, gave the Carthusian
fathers at their monastery in Vauvert, near Paris, an already ancient manuscript bearing the title
"Elixir of Long Life". Following the initial use of portions of the recipe at Vauvert, the manuscript
was sent to La Grande Chartreuse. As in all monasteries, at La Grande Chartreuse there was an
apothecary, Brother Jerome Maubec, who served the medical needs of the monastery and the
residents of the local area with remedies made from local herbs, plants, spices and other
ingredients. Early in the 18th century, Brother Maubec undertook the task of unraveling the
manuscript’s complex directions for compounding the "Elixir of Long Life." Brother Maubec died
before completing this challenge but, on his deathbed, he passed what he had learned on to his
successor, Brother Antoine. Brother Antoine completed the translation of the recipe in 1737 and,
although it apparently did not prolong life, with 130 herbs and spices infused into a base of 71
percent wine alcohol, it did have many curative powers. The monks became distillers of this
medicinal elixir.
Green Chartreuse -- a milder and smoother form of the elixir at only 55 percent alcohol -- was
developed shortly after distilling began. And, in 1838, Yellow Chartreuse -- even milder,
smoother and sweeter at 40 percent alcohol -- was introduced.
In 1848, 30 officers from the Army of the Alps, stationed nearby the monastery, were invited to
a tasting of Yellow Chartreuse. "Reverend Father," said the group’s senior officer, "This Yellow
Chartreuse is indeed a nectar. The world must learn of its exquisite taste and its benefits to one’
s health. There are 30 officers here and our duties shall carry us to many other places, many
other countries. Wherever we go, we shall demand Chartreuse. Prepare yourself to fill many
bottles." The success of these "military salesmen" was astounding and the fame of Chartreuse
liqueurs spread throughout Europe. By the beginning of the 20th century, millions of bottles of
Chartreuse liqueurs were being sold all over the world. Even the Russian Tsar Nicolas II insisted
that a bottle of Chartreuse always be on his table.
The world-wide reputation of the Chartreuse liqueurs gave the Carthusians a high profile in
France and the government coveted the profits the monks realized. In 1904, the French
government nationalized both the monastery and the distillery. The monks, unwilling to give up
the secret of making Chartreuse, fled to a Carthusian monastery in Tarragona, Spain where they
fathers at their monastery in Vauvert, near Paris, an already ancient manuscript bearing the title
"Elixir of Long Life". Following the initial use of portions of the recipe at Vauvert, the manuscript
was sent to La Grande Chartreuse. As in all monasteries, at La Grande Chartreuse there was an
apothecary, Brother Jerome Maubec, who served the medical needs of the monastery and the
residents of the local area with remedies made from local herbs, plants, spices and other
ingredients. Early in the 18th century, Brother Maubec undertook the task of unraveling the
manuscript’s complex directions for compounding the "Elixir of Long Life." Brother Maubec died
before completing this challenge but, on his deathbed, he passed what he had learned on to his
successor, Brother Antoine. Brother Antoine completed the translation of the recipe in 1737 and,
although it apparently did not prolong life, with 130 herbs and spices infused into a base of 71
percent wine alcohol, it did have many curative powers. The monks became distillers of this
medicinal elixir.
Green Chartreuse -- a milder and smoother form of the elixir at only 55 percent alcohol -- was
developed shortly after distilling began. And, in 1838, Yellow Chartreuse -- even milder,
smoother and sweeter at 40 percent alcohol -- was introduced.
In 1848, 30 officers from the Army of the Alps, stationed nearby the monastery, were invited to
a tasting of Yellow Chartreuse. "Reverend Father," said the group’s senior officer, "This Yellow
Chartreuse is indeed a nectar. The world must learn of its exquisite taste and its benefits to one’
s health. There are 30 officers here and our duties shall carry us to many other places, many
other countries. Wherever we go, we shall demand Chartreuse. Prepare yourself to fill many
bottles." The success of these "military salesmen" was astounding and the fame of Chartreuse
liqueurs spread throughout Europe. By the beginning of the 20th century, millions of bottles of
Chartreuse liqueurs were being sold all over the world. Even the Russian Tsar Nicolas II insisted
that a bottle of Chartreuse always be on his table.
The world-wide reputation of the Chartreuse liqueurs gave the Carthusians a high profile in
France and the government coveted the profits the monks realized. In 1904, the French
government nationalized both the monastery and the distillery. The monks, unwilling to give up
the secret of making Chartreuse, fled to a Carthusian monastery in Tarragona, Spain where they
Chartreuse Verte circa 1930
Tarragona production
SOLD
Tarragona production
SOLD
Chartreuse Verte
circa 1904
French production
SOLD
circa 1904
French production
SOLD
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An exceptionally rare bottle of 19th century Chartreuse Verte
Very good label, very good level. This bottle dates from the period 1878 -1903, judging from
the one, from before the time when the monks moved to Tarragona in 1903 are of the utmost
rarity (for nearly a decade after this, "real" Chartreuse was not freely available in France, as a
consequence every surviving pre-1903 bottle became highly sought after, and 99% were
drunk).
Very good label, very good level. This bottle dates from the period 1878 -1903, judging from
the one, from before the time when the monks moved to Tarragona in 1903 are of the utmost
rarity (for nearly a decade after this, "real" Chartreuse was not freely available in France, as a
consequence every surviving pre-1903 bottle became highly sought after, and 99% were
drunk).
An remarkable pair of Chartreuse Jaune half bottles, with additional
Berry Bros and Rudd labels, believed to date from around 1885
Completely unrecorded in Steinmetz's book. Two of the most important early
Chartreuse bottles in existence.
SOLD
PDF of original 1909 Berry Bros pricelist, see pg 17
Berry Bros and Rudd labels, believed to date from around 1885
Completely unrecorded in Steinmetz's book. Two of the most important early
Chartreuse bottles in existence.
SOLD
PDF of original 1909 Berry Bros pricelist, see pg 17
An exceptionally rare bottle of 19th century Chartreuse Verte
Very good label, very good level. This bottle dates from the period 1878 -1903, judging from
the characteristics of the glass, I believe around 1890 is most likely. Chartreuse bottles that
date, like this one, from before the time when the monks moved to Tarragona in 1903 are of
the utmost rarity.
A very rare bottle in simply astonishingly good condition.
Please email us for pricing and ordering information
Very good label, very good level. This bottle dates from the period 1878 -1903, judging from
the characteristics of the glass, I believe around 1890 is most likely. Chartreuse bottles that
date, like this one, from before the time when the monks moved to Tarragona in 1903 are of
the utmost rarity.
A very rare bottle in simply astonishingly good condition.
Please email us for pricing and ordering information
Chartreuse Tarragona
Verte and Jaune circa
1951
Please email us for pricing
and ordering information
Verte and Jaune circa
1951
Please email us for pricing
and ordering information
Chartreuse
Tarragona Verte
and Jaune
1956-1964
Please email us
for pricing and
ordering
information
Tarragona Verte
and Jaune
1956-1964
Please email us
for pricing and
ordering
information
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built a new distillery. The French government brought chemists, botanists and other experts to the distillery and to the
monastery where, in an attempt to recreate Chartreuse, they searched the bins where the plants, herbs and spices had
been stored. Despite this massive effort, they failed. The public wanted the genuine liqueur and ignored the counterfeit
beverage made by the government’s company. With a lack of sales, the French company counterfeiting Chartreuse could not
survive. Local citizens in the area of the monastery bought the failed company and returned it, as a gift, to the ownership of
the Carthusians in 1929.
Today, although the monastery has been designated a national monument by the French government, the monks are
allowed to live there. Three of the monks, who have been trained by their predecessors in the art of distilling Chartreuse,
occasionally leave their cells for a short period of time and make the liqueurs. Each month only knows a third of the recipe.
They then return to the solitude of their cells. It is the labors of these three monks that provide the Carthusians the
sustenance to pursue their quiet lives of meditation and prayer.
monastery where, in an attempt to recreate Chartreuse, they searched the bins where the plants, herbs and spices had
been stored. Despite this massive effort, they failed. The public wanted the genuine liqueur and ignored the counterfeit
beverage made by the government’s company. With a lack of sales, the French company counterfeiting Chartreuse could not
survive. Local citizens in the area of the monastery bought the failed company and returned it, as a gift, to the ownership of
the Carthusians in 1929.
Today, although the monastery has been designated a national monument by the French government, the monks are
allowed to live there. Three of the monks, who have been trained by their predecessors in the art of distilling Chartreuse,
occasionally leave their cells for a short period of time and make the liqueurs. Each month only knows a third of the recipe.
They then return to the solitude of their cells. It is the labors of these three monks that provide the Carthusians the
sustenance to pursue their quiet lives of meditation and prayer.
The quality of 19th century Chartreuse has never been
equaled, and of course it is one of the very few liqueurs
that benefits from prolonged ageing.
A real investment item.
Click on the images to enlarge.
SOLD
equaled, and of course it is one of the very few liqueurs
that benefits from prolonged ageing.
A real investment item.
Click on the images to enlarge.
SOLD