CHARTREUSE - VEP Green VEP - 1 Liter Bottle - 2025 Bottling - 54%
The Order of the Chartreuse is a centuries-old institution, existing for over 500 years since, in 1605, at a Chartreuse monastery in Vauvert, a small Parisian suburb, the monks received a precious gift from Duke François Hannibal d'Estrées: an ancient manuscript of a mysterious elixir called "Elixir of Long Life." This rare document, likely created by a 16th-century alchemist with deep knowledge of herbs, revealed the art of selecting, infusing, and macerating 130 plants to create a perfectly balanced tonic. The complexity of this recipe meant that only certain extracts were used in Vauvert. It was not until the early 18th century that the manuscript was sent to the Order's Mother House, La Grande Chartreuse, nestled in the mountains near Grenoble. There, the Monastery's Apothecary, Brother Jérôme Maubec, managed to unlock the secret and in 1737 wrote the complete formula for preparing the Elixir, which was officially established in 1764. In 1903, the Chartreuse distillery was nationalized by the French government, leading to the expulsion of the monks. However, during the 1929 bankruptcy, they restored the Chartreuse brand, took back their distillery built in 1860 at Fourvoirie, near the Monastery, and relaunched the production of the true Chartreuse liqueurs. Unfortunately, in 1935, a landslide almost completely destroyed Fourvoirie, forcing the relocation of production to Voiron, where it remains today.
The secret of production lies in the rigorous selection, grinding, and blending of secret herbs, medicinal plants, and other natural ingredients, meticulously carried out by two monks within the monastery itself. Once assembled, these ingredients are transferred to Voiron where they macerate in a specially selected alcohol before being carefully distilled. These unique liqueurs then benefit from prolonged aging of several years in huge oak barrels, stored in an exceptional cellar where maturation times are among the longest in the world, ensuring unmatched quality and aromatic richness.
A limited quantity of this liqueur is specially reserved for exceptional treatment. This special portion undergoes additional prolonged aging and, as soon as the Master Distiller declares it ready, it is bottled under the V.E.P. Chartreuse label ("Exceptionally Prolonged Aging"). Each V.E.P. bottle, a faithful reproduction of the flask used in 1840, is carefully numbered, wax-sealed, and presented in a custom wooden box, combining tradition and prestige.
To discover this exceptional liqueur and enrich your collection of rare spirits, trust Clos des Spiritueux, a recognized specialist in the distribution of high-end products. Our expertise guarantees the authenticity and quality of every Chartreuse VEP bottle, perfect for discerning enthusiasts and connoisseurs seeking a characterful elixir.
