Tarragone El Licor Cumbre Yellow 1951-59
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Ready to drink now, this historic bottling has reached a peak of maturity but possesses the structure to remain in pristine condition indefinitely.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Dark chocolate truffles, mature blue cheese, caramelized apple tart
✨ wine.spec_sheet
During their period of exile from France, the Carthusian Monks established a distillery in the Catalan port city of Tarragona, Spain, producing what would become some of the most legendary spirits in history. Among these prized liquid relics is 'El Licor Cumbre' Yellow Chartreuse, bottled between 1951 and 1959. This historic bottling represents a fascinating chapter of monastic heritage, combining the secret recipe of 130 botanicals with the unique Mediterranean climate and aging conditions of the Tarragona cellars. The Yellow expression is naturally sweeter and milder than the Green, showcasing a complex, honeyed profile infused with saffron, anise, thyme, and citrus peel. Decades of bottle aging have transformed this spirit, integrating its alcohol and sugars into a seamless, ethereal elixir of unparalleled depth.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Dating back to 1605 when the Carthusian Monks of the Grande Chartreuse monastery received a manuscript containing the recipe for an 'Elixir of Long Life,' Chartreuse is one of the world's most storied and enigmatic spirits. Handcrafted by the Monks of the Order of the Chartreux, production historically centered in Voiron, France, with a significant period of exile in Tarragona, Spain, before moving to the modern Aiguenoire distillery in Entre-Deux-Guiers. The production process remains a closely guarded secret known to only two monks, involving the maceration of 130 botanicals in grape-based alcohol followed by extensive aging in oak casks. Renowned for its complex herb-forward profile, the house is celebrated for its iconic Green (Verte) and Yellow (Jaune) expressions, alongside highly coveted V.E.P. (Vieillissement Exceptionnellement Prolongé) and historic Tarragona bottlings. This legendary producer continues to bridge centuries of monastic tradition with unmatched artisanal excellence in the world of fine spirits and liqueurs.