| 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 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 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.
Chartreuse Verte circa 1930.
Tarragona production.
Click on thumbnails to see enlarged images.
SOLD
Tarragona production.
Click on thumbnails to see enlarged images.
SOLD
Chartreuse Verte circa 1904
French production.
Click on the thumbnail to see
an enlarged image.
SOLD
French production.
Click on the thumbnail to see
an enlarged image.
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
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 (for
nearly a decade after this, "real" Chartreuse was not freely available in France, as a consequence every
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 (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).
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.
Price on request.
Please email us for ordering and pricing details.
99% were drunk).
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.
Price on request.
Please email us for ordering and pricing details.
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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.