Chartreuse Green

Green Chartreuse is produced by the Carthusian monks of the Grande Chartreuse monastery in the Chartreuse Mountains of France, a tradition dating back to 1737 when the monks began distilling a recipe said to originate from a manuscript given to them in 1605.

It remains one of the few liqueurs still made by a religious order, and the full recipe is known only to two monks at any given time. The liqueur is made from a maceration of 130 wild and cultivated alpine plants, flowers, and herbs, which are then distilled and blended with grape spirit before aging in oak barrels.

At 55% ABV, Green Chartreuse is significantly stronger than most liqueurs, and that strength carries the complexity of its botanical composition without becoming harsh. The colour is entirely natural, derived from the chlorophyll of the plant materials used. No artificial colouring or flavouring is added.

It is used widely in classic cocktails such as the Last Word and the Bijou, but it is equally at home served chilled as a digestif or over ice. The 375ml format makes it a practical entry point for those exploring the bottle seriously for the first time.

For a liqueur of this age, reputation, and genuine craft production, the price is reasonable and the product is irreplaceable in any serious bar or home collection.