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April 30, 2014
In this marketing driven world, the constant need for “new and improved” often wars against the “tried and true”. But while we are always tempted by the exciting new experience, the latest flavor craze or the dazzling new brand that everyone is talking about, there should always be room for the enduring classics, the icons, the standard bearers, the wines and spirits that have achieved the rare feat of being so good they need not change---indeed, so good they should not change. Here’s to the spirits that are as good as it gets.
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Chartreuse Elixir Vegetal
Perhaps it was the way it was created, with slow, infinite patience in the quiet solitude of a monastery high in the Alps near Grenoble in France over a period of many years, until the perfect balance of botanicals was reached and the hushed and cowled monks were satisfied they had found the ideal elixir, a spirit so invigorating and restorative in its powers, so rewarding in its aromas and flavors, as to be an apparent boon from god.
Weary travelers, the weak, the infirm and afflicted were pleased to find the stimulating spirit awaiting them at the monastery of the Carthusian order in the French Alps, and the fame spread throughout Europe. There were many brews and potions of the time that gained notoriety and prestige, but few lasted over the centuries; even fewer retained the traditional formulas over the intervening years. Chartreuse was one of those precious few.
It wasn’t an easy survival, however; the original recipe dated back to 1605, but religious and political schisms caused the monks to be ejected from the monastery properties twice, and it was not until the 1900s that they returned (from Spain) to resume production in the original distillery.
Fortunately for consumers today, the Carthusian monks faithfully maintained the ancient recipe and the essence of the liqueur remained true to its origins, an irresistible aromatic blend of herbs, flowers, seeds and spices---reportedly 130 of them--- steeped in a pure high-grade brandy base. Chartreuse has the delightful nature of being harmonious and contradictory at the same time: fiery, yet turning to profound warmth; bold, yet subtle and complex; austerely bitter, yet rich and sweet.
If you're interested in more (with pictures): http://www.examiner.com/list/as-good-as-it-gets-chartreuse
