06/03/2026
Mythical Chartreuse in the Rare Spirits Auction
Vintage bourbon and scotch often get top billing in our auctions, but for serious spirits collectors, hidden gems like these antique bottles of Chartreuse (Lots 5022, 5023 & 5024), can be the real finds. In recent years, Chartreuse has achieved a bit of a mythical status among collectors and cocktail enthusiasts. The famous herbal liqueur, made by the Carthusian monks in the French Alps, is produced most commonly in green and yellow varieties. The recipe for making Chartreuse is a long-held secret dating back to the 1700s, but it is known to contain over 130 herbs, plants and botanicals. Green Chartreuse is stronger by proof as well as more spicy, herbaceous, and vegetal than its sweeter and more mild yellow counterpart. For experienced bartenders and mixologists all over the world, Chartreuse is a cornerstone ingredient for many classic cocktails, like the Last Word - a mix of equal parts gin, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.
In 2019, the Carthusian monks made the choice to intentionally limit the production of Chartreuse, making the liqueur notoriously scarce and causing price surges across the world. Rarer still are incredible ‘dusty’ bottles of Chartreuse like the ones offered in our upcoming June 5th Rare Spirits auction. Dating old bottles of Chartreuse can be particularly tricky, but we have a few clues on these particular bottles that point to the late 1930s or early 1940s. Obviously, sealed bottles that pre-date World War II are exceedingly rare and worth collecting in their own right, but what about the liquid inside? Because of its high proof and sugar content, Chartreuse can actually continue to age and develop in the bottle for decades, smoothing out any rough edges and evolving into a more integrated, complex drinking experience. What a remarkable occasion it would be to taste one of these rare antique bottlings next to a modern-day Chartreuse!
These bottles and more will be offered in our Rare Spirits Auction, which opens for live-online bidding on Friday, June 5 at 10:00 am. Pre-bidding is available now.
