EPISODE 11
Chartreuse To ‘wreck-The-Hoose’ Juice: Monks And The Art Of Distillation
In this episode, Tom Parker Bowles and Henry Jeffreys unravel the enigmatic legacy of monastic mixology. They explore how medieval monks, driven by both spiritual devotion and scientific curiosity, transformed the art of distillation into a craft that yielded some of history’s most fascinating elixirs.
We delve into the creation of the herbaceous, enigmatic Chartreuse; the uniquely stimulating, and often-maligned Buckfast; and the parvenu that is Benedictine —all recipes shrouded in secrecy and varying degrees of tradition. Beyond the drinks themselves,, this episode dissects themes of resilience, innovation, and the surprising marketing prowess of these religious artisans.
Whether it’s unearthing hidden manuscripts or examining how these potent concoctions became cultural icons, join us for an irreverent yet thoughtful take on how the sacred and the profane intersect in our drinking culture. If you’re drawn to history that’s as spirited as it is surprising, this episode is a must-listen.
FEATURED DRINKS
We are delighted to be able to link you to a fine collection of Chartreuse stocked by our friends at Master of Malt.
If you’ve already listened to the podcast, you’ll know that Green Chartreuse is a punchy green liqueur with a bold herbal kick, made from a secret mix of over 130 different plants. The recipe? Still under lock and key, guarded by Carthusian monks who live in the Chartreuse mountains just north of Grenoble. They’ve been brewing up herbal remedies since the Middle Ages, but Green Chartreuse as we know it first appeared in 1764.
The original distillery was lost to a mudslide (nature clearly wasn’t a fan of secrets), so production moved to Voiron, where it continues today. You’ll find it in its classic green and yellow forms, plus the occasional limited edition. It’s great sipped neat as a digestif, but it also shines in cocktails—especially the Last Word, a zingy mix of Green Chartreuse, gin, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.
It’s often in short supply, so if it’s out of stock, do check out some of the other liqueurs also made by the monks…