Chartreuse Vegetal de la Grande-Chartreuse (10cl, 69%)

A herbal elixir produced by Carthusian monks from a secret blend of 130 botanicals. Originally formulated as a medicinal tonic, the recipe has remained unchanged since 1764. It is produced at the distillery in Aiguenoire, near the Grande Chartreuse monastery, and is the most concentrated expression in the Chartreuse range. Only two monks know the full recipe at any given time. Production follows distillation, maceration and extraction to draw out the properties of 130 plants, flowers, spices, bark, roots and berries. It is traditionally taken as a few drops on a sugar cube or diluted in hot water. The aroma opens with mint and fennel, then sage, rosemary and pine, with cardamom and cinnamon underneath. The palate is forceful, with mint, thyme and anise, then eucalyptus, pine resin, honey and licorice, finishing with clove and cinnamon. The finish is long and medicinal, dry and minty, with a bittersweet herbal character.