Chartreuse : L'Elixir Végétal & la Liqueur (French version)

Chartreuse: The Elixir Végétal & the Liqueur is the 3rd edition of the first book published by Chartreuse Diffusion dedicated to the famous Chartreuse liqueurs. This ambitious project required more than three years of intensive work, resulting in a book of remarkable density both in its content and its iconography.

This book stands out for its authenticity, largely due to the involvement of the Reverend Father of the Grande Chartreuse. By opening his personal archives, he allowed for the reconstruction of a true history, free from the approximations conveyed by oral tradition. Thus, readers discover a fascinating and authentic epic of the Chartreuse liqueurs.

The working group, composed of former leaders of Chartreuse Diffusion and friends of the Carthusians, aimed to offer a complete and captivating narrative to a wide audience: curious individuals, enthusiasts, tourists, and collectors. This collective experience enriches the book, while the testimonies of the former members of Chartreuse add a human and emotional dimension to this work.

The photographs, of exceptional quality, were taken by Stéphane Couchet, a photographer based in Chartreuse. His shots capture the depth and grandeur of the Grande Chartreuse monastery, the authenticity of the monks, as well as the beauty of the Chartreuse bottles and flasks.

A complete and unpublished notebook of Chartreuse bottles, based on the precious notes left by Brother Marie Bernard, a former distilling brother, is presented at the end of the book. This notebook is the result of extensive research and documentation.

Contents of the book:

• Preface by the Reverend Father
• Complete history from the origin (1605) to the present day
• Testimonies from three former leaders of Chartreuse Diffusion
• Perspectives on the great future of the liqueur
• Illustrated booklet of Chartreuse bottles throughout history

Excerpt:

"The recipe for making Chartreuse, tells the story which is not a legend, was given to the Carthusians by someone who owed them and wanted to settle his obligations: Marshal d'Estrées, in 1605 (...) No doubt this primitive secret has not remained as it was originally; it has been perfected, but by whom? By the Carthusians themselves (...) It matters little that the secret has undergone developments, improvements, as long as it has always remained a secret. That alone is interesting. As long as the secret has been preserved, it is indifferent, in law as in fact, whether it has remained the same as at its origin or whether it has undergone modifications that were improvements." – Revue des grands débats parlementaires, 1911

Information:

• EAN13: 9782746697171
• ISBN: 978-2-7466-9717-1
• Authors: Martine Galiano, Philip Boyer, Christian Delafon, Antoine Munoz, Jean-Marc Roget
• Publisher: Chartreuse Diffusion
• Publication Date: 11/2023
• Number of pages: 348
• Dimensions: 29 x 23 cm
• Weight: 1800 g

This book is a true reference for all Chartreuse liqueur enthusiasts, offering a fascinating journey through the history and secrets of this iconic beverage.