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

Chartreuse: The Herbal Elixir & 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 thanks to the involvement of the Reverend Father of the Grande Chartreuse. By opening his personal archives, he enabled the reconstruction of a true story, free from the approximations carried 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, wanted to offer a complete and captivating account to a wide audience: curious individuals, enthusiasts, tourists, and collectors. This collective experience enriches the book, while the testimonials of the Chartreuse elders 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 unprecedented booklet of Chartreuse bottles, based on the precious notes left by Frère Marie Bernard, a former distiller brother, is presented at the end of the book. This booklet is the result of long research and documentation work.

Content of the book:

• Foreword by the Reverend Father
• Complete history from its origin (1605) to present day
• Testimonials 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 a story that is not a legend, was given to the Carthusians by someone who had obligations towards them and wanted to discharge them: Marshal d'Estrées, in 1605 (...) Undoubtedly, 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 its origin or has undergone modifications that were improvements.” – Review of Great Parliamentary Debates, 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 drink.