Producer
Chartreuse
Chartreuse is a renowned French producer of elaborately crafted herbal liqueurs produced and marketed under the supervision of the Carthusian Fathers. The range includes the Elixir Végétal and the famous Green and Yellow Chartreuse, made from a secret blend of about 130 plants.
- Entre-deux-Guiers / Voiron · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Isère) · France
The story
The Chartreuse recipe originates from a manuscript given to the Carthusian monks in 1605; after centuries of refinement the Elixir Végétal was fixed in 1764. In the 19th century liqueur versions (Green and Yellow Chartreuse) were developed. Modern production is overseen by the Carthusian Fathers and commercialisation is managed by Chartreuse Diffusion; production is today concentrated at the Aiguenoire site (Entre-deux-Guiers) with historical ties to the Chartreuse massif and the town of Voiron.
Production philosophy
Preserve and transmit traditional monastic knowledge: safeguard the secrecy of the historic formula, emphasise the quality of vegetal raw materials and maintain artisanal, long-term processes that prioritise ageing and aromatic complexity.
Territory
Chartreuse Massif, Isère (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), France; production and ageing at facilities linked to the Carthusian Fathers (Aiguenoire site / commercial headquarters in Voiron).
Production method
A multi-stage process combining distillation to extract aromas, various macerations (including cold infusion) to obtain natural colouring and extract plant principles, subsequent blending and periods of ageing in oak vats/tanks; batches are evaluated and approved by members of the order before bottling.
Distillation
Aromatic distillation combined with multiple macerations, extraction and cold infusions, followed by blending and ageing; processes and formulations are managed under the strict supervision of the order.
Ageing
Ageing in oak vats/tanks (including extended cycles for V.E.P. cuvées); timings and methods are part of the reserved procedure.
Characteristics
- Type
- Producer
- City
- Entre-deux-Guiers / Voiron
- Categories
- herbal liqueurs
- monastic elixir
- monastic liqueurs
- French liqueurs
- digestives
- Raw materials
- alcohol
- water
- sugar
- botanical substances (mixture of about 130 plants: herbs, flowers, barks, roots and spices)
- Casks and ageing vessels
- oak vats/tanks
- Representative products
- Elixir Végétal de la Grande-Chartreuse
- Chartreuse Verte (Green) 70cl
- Chartreuse Jaune (Yellow) 70cl
- Chartreuse V.E.P. Verte 100cl
- Chartreuse V.E.P. Gialla 100cl
- Chartreuse Liqueur du 9 Centenaire 70cl
- Chartreuse Creme De Cassis 50cl
- Chartreuse Mure Sauvage (More) 50cl
- Chartreuse Gentiane 100cl
- Chartreuse Verde Jeroboam 3lt
- Chartreuse Gialla Jeroboam 3lt
What makes it distinctive
- Historic recipe guarded by the Carthusian Fathers (original manuscript dated 1605 / formula fixed in 1764).
- Iconic products: Green and Yellow Chartreuse and the Elixir Végétal.
- Current production carried out at the Aiguenoire site (Entre-deux-Guiers) with commercial management via Chartreuse Diffusion.
- Use of a multi-stage process (distillation, maceration, extraction) and wood ageing; some cuvées (V.E.P.) are aged exceptionally long.
Products from Chartreuse
Full collectionThere are currently no products available from this producer.
