The Chartreuse Order of the Carthusian monks was founded in 1084, which makes it one of the oldest religious orders in Christianity. The Order was more than 500 years old when, in 1605, they received a special gift: a manuscript titled “An Elixir of Long Life”. A long and complex recipe, it was not fully studied until 1737 by the monastery’s apothecary. After intensely studying the manuscript and performing a series of test runs, Chartreuse Elixir was finally created!

This “liqueur of health” was distributed into small villages in the area. People were so fond of it that they drank it as a beverage, rather than taking it as medicine. Realizing this, the monks made a milder beverage, which we know today as “Green Chartreuse”. In 1838, the distillers developed a sweeter and milder form of the original recipe. Since it was no longer a vivid green, this new liqueur was identified as, and is known today as, “Yellow Chartreuse”. Presently, only two monks have been entrusted by the Order with the production secrets of these unique spirits.

Chartreuse Yellow Liqueur is created by macerating over 130 herbs, plants, roots and leaves into a base of wine alcohol, creating a complex, flavorful liqueur with a natural yellow color. Milder and sweeter than the green variation, Chartreuse Yellow displaying notes of enticing cardamom, anise, thyme, coriander, wildflower, licorice and nutmeg.