Busacca Gallery

Rare Vintage Liqueur – Over 50 Years Old Vintage Rare Liquor: Green Chartreuse, Peres Chartreux Fabriquée à Tarragone This is an incredible bottle of liqueur, a true gem for collectors and connoisseurs alike. Similar bottles have been known to sell for as much as $4,500 in today's market. Today, this Elixir is still made only by the Carthusian monks following that ancient recipe, and is called Elixir Vegetal de la Grande-Chartreuse. The selection, crushing and mixing of 130 secret herbs, natural plants and other botanicals used in producing the liqueurs of completely natural colour, is done in the monastery by two monks. This liqueur is aged for several years in huge oak casks and placed into the world's longest liqueur cellar for maturation. Even today the formula remains a mystery which modern investigation methods have not been able to penetrate! In 1605, at a Chartreuse monastery of Vauvert, in Paris, the monks received a gift from Marshal d'Estrées, an ancient manuscript talking of an “Elixir”, which no one knows the origin of. In this period, only a few monks and even fewer apothecaries understood the use of herbs and plants in the treatment of illness. The manuscript's recipe was so complex that only bits and pieces of it were understood and used by the monastery's apothecary, Frère Jerome Maubec. He finally unraveled the mystery and, in 1737, drew up the practical formula for the preparation of the Elixir. The distribution and sales of this new medicine were limited. One of the monks of La Grande Chartreuse would load his mule with the small bottles that he sold in Grenoble and Chambéry, and other nearby villages. So tasty was this elixir that it was often used as a beverage rather than a medicine. Recognizing this, the monks, in 1764, adapted the elixir recipe to make a milder beverage, and which we know today as "Green Chartreuse" (55% alcohol). The success of this liqueur was immediate and its fame was no longer restricted to the area around La Grande Chartreuse. In 1838, the Chartreuse distillers developed a sweeter form of Chartreuse: "Yellow Chartreuse" (43% alcohol) In 1903, the French government nationalized the Chartreuse distillery. The monks were expelled. The monks took their secret recipe to their refuge in Tarragona, Spain, where they built a new distillery, and began producing their liqueurs with the same label, but with an additional label which said "Liqueur fabriquée à Tarragone par les Pères Chartreux" ("liqueur manufactured in Tarragone by the Carthusian Fathers"). After World War II, the government lifted the expulsion order, making the Carthusian monks once again legal French residents. Since the closure of the distillery of Tarragona in 1989, the liqueur is produced exclusively in Voiron using the herbal mixture prepared by two monks at Grande Chartreuse. Chartreuse today: This extraordinary piece of history not only embodies the rich legacy of one of the most iconic liqueur brands of the early 20th century but also showcases the timeless beauty of vintage glass craftsmanship. Please note that all spirits are sold for collection by specialized carriers. * Disclaimer for Sale of Antique Alcohol: This bottle is sold solely as a collectible item and is not intended for consumption. The contents are over 100 years old and may no longer be suitable for drinking. The buyer and seller assume all responsibility for any risks associated with consuming the contents. This consignment sale complies with all applicable state and federal laws concerning the sale and transfer of alcoholic beverages. The buyer affirms they are at least 21 years of age and acknowledges that this product is sold exclusively as a collectible item. The transaction will be handled directly between the owner and buyer. Busacca Gallery will not be involved in the transaction unless a licensed broker is engaged. * Regulatory Compliance: Antique alcohol, defined as alcohol over 50 years old, may be sold in California, subject to state and federal regulations. The buyer’s legal drinking age (21 or older) must be verified. These items are sold primarily for their collectible value, not for consumption. If it is determined that the alcohol is being purchased for consumption, a licensed broker will be engaged to complete the transaction. * Recommendation: Busacca Gallery recommends that sellers consult with a legal professional or an expert in alcohol sales regulations to ensure compliance with all applicable laws.

Chartreuse liqueur, crafted by the Carthusian monks of the Peres Chartreux order, traces its origins to a secret recipe gifted in 1605 by François Annibal d'Estrées, a French marshal. This elixir, perfected over centuries, combines a unique blend of 130 herbs, plants, and flowers, giving it its vibrant color and distinct flavor. During the early 20th century, the production of Chartreuse was temporarily moved to Tarragona, Spain, following the French government's expulsion of religious orders in 1903. Bottles from this era, labeled Fabriquée à Tarragone, hold significant historical and collectible value, symbolizing resilience and a commitment to preserving tradition amidst adversity.