Chartreuse VEP Yellow
42% ABV (84 proof) | 1L | V.E.P. — extended oak aging | Carthusian monks' recipe — Chartreuse VEP Yellow is the extended-aged pinnacle of the world's most legendary herbal liqueur, made by the Carthusian monks of Grande Chartreuse in the French Alps from a secret recipe of 130 alpine plants and herbs unchanged since 1764. V.E.P. (Vieillissement Exceptionnellement Prolongé) means exceptionally prolonged aging in oak demi-muids, which rounds and deepens the liqueur into something of rare refinement. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
VEP Yellow is the more approachable of the two VEP expressions: honeyed and floral, tinged with saffron, chamomile, vanilla, and anise — lush, elegant, and endlessly layered after its years of oak rest. Each bottle is presented in the 1840-style replica bottle with a wax-sealed cork, an individually numbered back label, and a branded wooden gift box. This is a collector-grade liqueur and one of the finest digestifs in the world.
Tasting notes
Nose: honey, saffron, chamomile, alpine herbs. Palate: honeyed, floral, vanilla, anise. Finish: lush, elegant, long. Serve at 13–15°C.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 42% ABV (84 proof) — 1L bottle
- V.E.P. = years of extended aging in oak demi-muids
- 130 botanicals; recipe known to only two Carthusian monks
- Wax-sealed 1840-style bottle, individually numbered, wooden gift box
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Neat, slightly chilled (13–15°C), in a small tulip or cordial glass as a digestif; also superb over a single large cube.
Frequently asked questions
What does VEP mean on a Chartreuse bottle?
V.E.P. stands for Vieillissement Exceptionnellement Prolongé — "exceptionally prolonged aging." The liqueur rests for years in oak demi-muids before bottling.
What is the difference between VEP Yellow and VEP Green?
VEP Yellow (42% ABV) is milder, sweeter, and more approachable; VEP Green (54% ABV) is more powerful and intensely herbaceous.
Why is Chartreuse so hard to find?
The Carthusian monks deliberately limit production to preserve the recipe's quality and their way of life — VEP is rarer still.
Is Chartreuse VEP Yellow a good gift?
Absolutely — the wax-sealed, numbered bottle in a wooden box makes it one of the most collectible liqueurs in the world.