Chartreuse VEP Green

VEP stands for "Vieillissement Exceptionnellement Prolongé," which translates to "Exceptionally Prolonged Aging." Both Green and Yellow Chartreuse are available in VEP versions, signifying that the liqueur has been aged for many years in oak casks. This extended aging mellows the harsh alcohol and deepens the herbal complexity.

Chartreuse is produced by the Carthusian Monks at the Grande Chartreuse monastery in the French Alps, with the actual distillation and aging taking place in nearby Voiron. The exact recipe for the "Elixir of Long Life" has been a closely guarded secret since 1605. Only two monks at any given time know the formula for the 130 botanicals used.

VEP Green boasts a high alcohol by volume (ABV) of around 54%, which provides a warming, intense base for the complex herbal flavors. This potency requires careful dosing when mixing cocktails. The high alcohol helps preserve the 130 botanicals extracted in the liqueur.

Due to its deep, nuanced flavor profile from years of oak aging, Chartreuse VEP is best enjoyed neat as a digestif, served slightly chilled. High-end bartenders sometimes use it as a float or rinse in classic cocktails like the Last Word to elevate the drink. Drinking it at room temperature in a snifter allows the complex aromatics of the 130 herbs to fully open up.