Chartreuse Goes Through The Roof

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First, they came for our bitters. Then they outlawed our egg whites and our infusions. What more could go wrong for bartenders this year?

I'll tell you what: Chartreuse now costs $11 more per bottle.

The wonderfully complex liqueur made by monks has been a favorite of bartenders who mix it into cocktails like the Chartreuse Swizzle and Laphroaig Project at work and consume chilled shots of the stuff when not on the clock. Now those fancy cocktails are going to cost a little bit more.

I spoke with Antoinnette Cattani of Cattani Imports, the Chartreuse broker for the California market. She said that the unannounced increase is national and will affect prices both at retail outlets and in bars. The VEP (high-end versions) are also increasing. The VEP Green will now cost $119 and the VEP Yellow $118, says Cattani.

But here's the good news: It doesn't look like all retailers have figured this out. While Beverages & More is now selling the Green Chartreuse for $62.99, a Google Shopping search revealed several online retailers still offering 750ml bottles of it for $40-$45.

So if your bottles are running a little low or you just want to stock up, it might be time to do some online shopping.

*Breaking News Feb 23 1:51PM – It appears prices are being readjusted again. Still an increase, but perhaps a few dollars less than it was. I have also learned that because of retail mark-ups, the cost increase on retail bottles is likely to be even higher than it is to bars. Either way if you can still get it for cheap it's best to do it now.

*Update Feb 23 3:44PM – I've learned that the price increase has been reduced from the approximately $11 increase per bottle on Green Chartreuse to about $7 as of today. Retail increases will likely be a little more. Look for the sky-high prices to drop a bit soon.

Comments

26 responses to “Chartreuse Goes Through The Roof”

February 23, 2010

Jacky

Sooooo perty!

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February 23, 2010

Tony Harion

Ouch! It already costs about $100 a bottle here in Brazil (not the VEP). I hope this increase doesn´t affect us. This stuff is already pretty unaffordable and rare in my area, $100 will buy you a heck of a lot of booze here.

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February 23, 2010

Matt R.

NOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
*sob*

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February 23, 2010

Sylvan

I don’t know if it’s a matter of ‘figuring it out’ or a lack of willingness to raise prices in advance of actual cost going up. Most places likely have stock they bought at the old price. Regardless, it’s a matter of time; I placed my order just now!

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February 23, 2010

Ouroboros

Worst.. News.. Ever

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February 23, 2010

Loren Pigniolo

I was hoping no one would notice so I could take advantage of the old prices. I hope the retailers don’t read your article!

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February 23, 2010

Loren Pigniolo

Going to be a lot fewer Last Words, etc. in my future. My feeling is they are going to undermine their increased popularity with this move. How does one interest new people in cocktails that require outrageously priced ingredients? Bad publicity for them, and bad news for every cocktailian, IMHO. There should be some sort of response to this.

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February 23, 2010

Blair Frodelius

So, what’s the reason for the increase?

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February 23, 2010

Camper English

I am not sure of the reason for the cost increase. It could be because of the Euro, but I do not know who has made the decision (owner or importer) except that this is the rate being charged now by the importer of Chartreuse, Frederick Wildman and Sons.
https://www.frederickwildman.com

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February 23, 2010

Symphony Sid

You’ll probably hate me for writing this, but I bought about 20 bottles of Chartreuse, along with bottles of Pisco, Grappa, Aquavit, and other miscellaneous spirits at a shuttered liquor store auction about a year ago for a little more than $100 in total.
The Chartreuse was about equally split between light and dark. Picked up a shelf of dry sherry with a total value of about $400 for $45 as well.
In both instances, the Jack Daniels and beer buyers looked at me like I was slightly insane. Oh well.

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February 23, 2010

Camper English

Hate? No sir! I salute your smart shopping.

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February 26, 2010

victoria

The Euro and import exspense..

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September 7, 2012

aaron

Is that based on anything other than speculation? The value of the dollar dropping can play a roll. It could be a simple matter of increase in demand, which has certainly occured over the past 5 years… Perhaps the monks just wish to live more lavishly.

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