| The Monk's Elixir Chartreuse 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 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.
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 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.
Update 29th May 2006
Chartreuse Verte circa 1950.
A superbly preserved vintage bottle of the prince of liqueurs.
Click on thumbnails to see enlarged images.
P.O.R.
Chartreuse Verte circa 1950.
A superbly preserved vintage bottle of the prince of liqueurs.
Click on thumbnails to see enlarged images.
P.O.R.
Chartreuse Verte circa 1930.
Tarragona production.
Click on thumbnails to see
enlarged images.
SOLD
Tarragona production.
Click on thumbnails to see
enlarged images.
SOLD
Interested in vintage CHARTREUSE? Click here to EMAIL FINEST & RAREST
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