Definition: chartreuse tarragona

The famous liqueurs of the Carthusian monks, known as the "Elixir of Long Life", are a closely guarded secret. In the same way that family recipes are passed down from generation to generation and jealously guarded, the Carthusian monks still supervise the production of this exceptional herbal liqueur. In doing so, they are continuing a tradition that dates back to the early 17th century. Nothing and no one, not even the upheavals of the French Revolution, has been able to uncover their secret to this day.

This secret is a recipe, an "Elixir of Long Life". In 1605, Marshal d'Estrées gave a manuscript containing the famous formula to the monks of the Chartreuse de Vauvert in Paris. At that time, they were the only ones, along with apothecaries, who had mastered the art of working with plants. However, the recipe was considered too complex and was not really used until 1737. At that time, the apothecary of the Grande Chartreuse, Brother Jérôme Maubec, finalised the formula for this herbal elixir. He began selling it, transporting it by mule to the markets of Grenoble and Chambéry. Still produced under the name "Élixir Végétal de la Grande-Chartreuse", it has an alcohol content of 71%. Chartreuse Verte, known as "Liqueur de Santé" (Health Liqueur), with a lower alcohol content (55%), was developed a little later, in 1764.
Then came the Revolution. The monks were scattered, some were arrested, and the survival of the Carthusian order was threatened. And yet, their secret was miraculously preserved. The monks returned to the Grande Chartreuse in 1816. In 1838, the formula was adapted to produce a sweeter, less alcoholic liqueur, Chartreuse Jaune, with an alcohol content of 40%.
The Tarragona period was another painful episode. Expelled from France in 1903, the monks took their secret with them and took refuge in Tarragona, Spain. There they continued to produce the famous liqueurs under the name "Tarragona". Sold by the state, their brand was used until 1929 by the Compagnie Fermière de la Grande Chartreuse to produce liqueurs that had no connection with those of the Carthusian monks.

It was not until 1929 that the monks regained the right to use the name "Chartreuse". The recipes for the various liqueurs remain a mystery. All we know is that no fewer than 130 plants are used in the composition of this elixir. First macerated in alcohol, they are then distilled. Their colour comes from the plants that compose them. After adding distilled honey and sugar syrup, they are then aged in oak casks. The most renowned Chartreuses bear the letters V.E.P., which stand for "Vieillissement Exceptionnellement Prolongé" (exceptionally long ageing). But the most sought-after and expensive bottles are those of "Tarragone", produced during the years of exile.
The turbulent history of the Carthusians can be summarised as follows:
1737-1860: Grande Chartreuse Monastery
The Elixir Végétal was produced in the monastery's pharmacy, followed by Chartreuse Verte in 1764 and Chartreuse Jaune in 1838.
1860-1903: Fourvoirie
Built a few kilometres from the monastery, in the commune of Saint Laurent du Pont. This is where Chartreuse Verte 55°, Chartreuse Jaune 40° and Chartreuse Blanche (43° from 1860 to 1880, then 37° from 1886 to 1900) were distilled.
From 1903 to 1930, the distillery was transferred to Tarragona (Spain).
1930-1935: Misstep
On the night of 14 to 15 November 1935, a landslide destroyed the distillery, forcing them to transfer production to Voiron, where they had owned a cellar and warehouses since 1860.
1903-1989: Tarragona (Spain)
After their expulsion (1903), the Carthusian monks took refuge in Spain, where they resumed production of Chartreuse. It kept its original name, but the French nicknamed it "La Tarragona" (Green 55° and Yellow 43°).
This distillery remained in operation until 1989. Between 1921 and 1989, the distiller brothers divided their time between Tarragona, Marseille and then Voiron.
1921-1929: Marseille
The Carthusian monks returned to distilling in France in 1921. Not being allowed to use the "Chartreuse" brand name in this country, they developed a liqueur called "Tarragone".
In 1929, they regained their "Chartreuse" brand name and their French operating company. They were then able to return to Fourvoirie.
Since 1935: Voiron
The only place where Chartreuse is produced, the cellars and distillery in Voiron welcome 15,000 visitors every year. The 130 plants are prepared by the Carthusians in the monastery's plant room and then delivered in large canvas bags to the distillery. Centuries-old copper stills stand alongside ultra-modern stills, allowing the Carthusians to carefully control the distillation process from the monastery 25 km away.

Threatened with extinction during the Revolution, the Carthusian monks made a copy of the manuscript containing the formula for their famous elixir in 1793 as a precautionary measure. One of the monks, who had taken refuge near Grenoble, gave it to a pharmacist in the city, Mr Liotard. In 1810, at the request of Napoleon I, the Ministry of Health demanded that all "secret remedies" be submitted to it so that the State could take over their production. Mr Liotard tried unsuccessfully to have the formula approved. It was returned to him with the word "Refused" written on it. Was this already a preventive measure against alcohol abuse?
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