Chartreuse shortage has bartenders crying and an Ottawa distillery innovating

Chartreuse Liqueur Shortage Worries Bartenders, Leads Ottawa Distillery to Innovate

The rising demand for the French liqueur and the decision of the monks who make it have led to a shortage on the market.

Rising Popularity, Shortage

The French liqueur Chartreuse has become a popular drink among bartenders in recent years. That popularity, combined with the monks’ decision to limit production, has made it difficult to find in many markets.

In the Canadian province of Ontario, a halt in orders has led some bars to ration their stocks.

“When we sensed this was coming, we stocked up on as much as we could,” says Steven Felad, head bartender at the Riviera restaurant in Ottawa. “But now all we have left is that big bottle at the end of the shelf. We’re pouring it into smaller bottles, but that’s going to run out soon.”

He describes the flavor of Chartreuse as unique and one of the most important tools a bartender can have that is hard to miss.

Green Chartreuse has a higher alcohol content and a sharp, herbal flavor, while yellow Chartreuse has a lower alcohol content and a milder flavor, with a sweet, herbal aftertaste.

Secret of Production and Limited Supply

Chartreuse is made from a blend of 130 herbs and medicinal plants and distilled according to a secret recipe known only to two or three monks. The monks, who are members of the Carthusian order in France, are sworn to silence and do not reveal any information about the recipe.

According to Paul Inband, a restaurateur and Chartreuse expert in California, in addition to the liqueur’s unique flavor, its historical story also adds to its appeal.

The drink’s story dates back to 1605, when monks received a manuscript from a French marshal containing a list of herbs and a recipe for an “elixir of longevity.” The recipe was refined over the centuries, first as a medicine and then as a popular drink. Eventually, Chartreuse became the monastery’s main source of income and is now a globally recognized brand.

The rise in popularity and the impact of the pandemic

While the herbal flavor of Chartreuse has been popular and forgotten throughout history, its popularity has increased in recent years.

“Chartreuse has been popular again in the United States for about eight years, and we were one of the driving forces behind its revival in cocktails,” says Inbond. “But it was really during the pandemic that global consumption really took off.”

In 2021, the monks announced that they would not increase their production from current levels, despite the increased demand.

Price difference and access issues in Canada

In Ontario, Chartreuse is not available at LCBO government stores due to a price difference. A source familiar with the matter told CBC that the product was being sold in Quebec at a lower price than in Ontario after the price increase.

The LCBO has said that in order to maintain competition, it has a policy that products in these stores should not be priced higher than those offered in other Canadian government agencies. However, the organization has not provided further details about its dealings with the Chartreuse brand.

An alternative to Chartreuse?

But the shortage presents an opportunity for SFR Distillery in Ottawa.

“Monk’s Secret is our answer to the Chartreuse shortage,” says Adam Brierley, the company’s president.

When Brierley realized that the liqueur was becoming scarce in Ontario, he decided to create an alternative. He worked on the new formula for over a year, and after 18 tests, he came up with a product that he says is “85 percent similar” to Chartreuse.

The company is now ready to launch its product, and hopes that future versions will be even better.

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