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The Mystery of Chartreuse
A liqueur with ancient secrets





Chartreuse, the legendary monastic liqueur, is one of the world's most fascinating and mysterious spirits. Its recipes are all based on a single formula, transcribed in a mysterious manuscript that the Carthusian Fathers received in Paris in 1605 from the hands of the Maréchal d'Estrées. This manuscript, which is said to contain the recipe for an ‘elixir of long life’ based on 130 plants, remains one of the best-kept secrets. Only Carthusian monks have access to this formula, which is the source of the different variations of the liqueur.
 

Grande Chartreuse Monastery

In the 18th century, Chartreuse spread beyond the monastery, gaining in popularity, particularly with the royal court. After the French Revolution, the monks took refuge in Fourvoirie and continued production in secret, making Chartreuse a symbolic product.

Chartreuse is distinguished by its richness and complex aromas, and there are several meticulous stages in its production. It all begins with the selection of the plants and spices that go into the recipe. The plants are distilled to extract the essential oils, which are then mixed with brandy to make an alcoholic base. This liqueur is then aged in oak casks, a process that can last several years and allows the Chartreuse to develop its unique depth and flavours.

There are two main types of Chartreuse: green, which is more powerful and full-bodied, and yellow, which is softer and slightly sweeter. The green, with its intense colour, is the one that made the Chartreux Fathers' liqueur famous, but it was the yellow that earned the nickname of “Queen of Liqueurs” in the mid-19th century. 

The Carthusian monks of the Grande-Chartreuse and Petite-Chartreuse orders continue to jealously guard the secret of the recipe and production of this liqueur, making it a rare and prestigious product. Today, Chartreuse is still made using traditional methods and has been awarded the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) label.

Caves Liqueur Chartreuse
 

Whether you're a spirits enthusiast or curious to discover a product with a rich historical heritage, Chartreuse is a real invitation to taste adventure. We regularly feature bottles of Chartreuse in our Great Wines & Spirits sales.

If you have rare bottles or limited editions of Chartreuse that you would like to include in one of our sales, please contact Pierre-Luc Nourry, Head of the Great Wines & Spirits Department at Aguttes.

Some fine results from Aguttes:


Chartreuse Jaune 1840-1869, awared for 16 500€ 



1- Jeroboam Chartreuse jaune Voiron 1951-1956, awarded for 33 048€. 
2- Chartreuse yellow Tarragone 1904-1930 100 cl, awarded for 10 168€.
3- Chartreuse yellow Voiron ‘une Tarragone’ 1936, awarded for 7 688€.



4- Yellow Chartreuse Tarragona 1930-1945 100 cl, awarded for €8,804
5- Green Chartreuse V.E.P. Cuvée Olympique Grenoble 1968, awarded for €5,828
6- Magnum of green Chartreuse 1956-1964 - Pères Chartreux, awarded for €3,720



7- Green Chartreuse Tarragona 1904-1930 50 cl, awarded for €4,588
8- Complete collection Chartreuses Reine des Liqueurs Millésimé, awarded for 6 290€.
9- Yellow Chartreuse V.E.P. Cuvée Olympique Grenoble 1968, awarded for €5,704

Upcoming auction

GREAT WINES & SPIRITS
Tuesday 25 of February 2025 at 10.30am
Tuesday 11 of March 2025 at 11.00am
Tuesday 24 of April 2025 at 11.00am
Aguttes Neuilly



For more information or to include a lot in our next sales, please contact

Head of Department
Pierre-Luc Nourry
nourry@aguttes.com
07 63 44 69 56


Click here to find out more about our Fine Wines & Spirits department or to obtain an online valuation