Episode 27: Chartreuse

Episode 27 features Chartreuse. A favorite spirit of mine, it was partial inspiration for the creation of this podcast. This episode gives the history of the first products produced by Chartreuse, including information on the four expressions available in the United States. Tasting is focused on the Green Chartreuse that is bottled at 55% ABV, or 110 proof.

Enjoy this episode with some Chartreuse, neat, chilled, or try the cocktail The Last Word.

Chartreuse's official website: https://www.chartreuse.fr/en/

Brief Historical Timeline:

1084 - Founding of the Carthusian Order by St. Bruno
1605 - The manuscript listing 130 plants said to be the basis for an elixir of long life is given to the monks by Marshall of France, Francois Annibal d'Estrees
1737 - Brother Gerome Maubec perfects and finishes the recipe for what becomes known as the first liqueur, the Elixir Vegetal de la Grande Chartreuse
1764 - Green Chartreuse is created
1793 - During the French Revolution the Carthusians are expelled from France, taking the original manuscript with them, though it ends up being sold
1810 - Original manuscript is sent to the Ministry of Interior, though returned "refused" because it is not deemed to be secret, the Carthusians eventually regain the original manuscript
1838 - Yellow Chartreuse is created
1884 - First written record of Chartreuse being used as a color name
1903 - French government nationalizes the Chartreuse distillery and the monks are again expelled from France
1900s - During their expulsion from France, liqueur production shifts to Tarragona, Spain
1920s - Production is done at a second distillery in Marselle, France
1929 - The Carthusians regain control of their French trademarks and return to their monastery
1935 - A landslide destroys the distillery in Fourvoirie, near the monastery
1936 - Distillery moves to Voiron, France, a town near the monastery
1963 - The V.E.P. editions of Green and Yellow Chartreuse are first released
1970 - Carthusians form the company "Chartreuse Diffusion" to handle bottling, packaging, advertising and sales
2017 - New distillery opens in Aiguenroire, closer to the monastery

Key Cocktails:

Chartreuse is very complex, but was originally produced as a medicine. It therefore works great to sooth a cold, when mixed with some hot water. Recreationally, you can enjoy it neat, chilled, served on ice, or mixed in cocktails.

The Last Word:

3/4 oz. Green Chartreuse

3/4 oz. Gin

3/4 oz. Lime Juice

3/4 oz. Maraschino Liqueur

Shake over ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, enjoy!

References:

YouTube video featuring the export manager for Chartreuse and the West Coast Sales Rep, from 2018.

Wikipedia article on Carthusians

Wikipedia article on Chartreuse

Wikipedia article on Chartreuse (the color)

Wikipedia article on Grande Chartreuse