The discovery of an ‘exceptionally rare’ bottle of 1960s French liqueur in an attic has stunned a Bournemouth man – because it was bought because of him.
The IT worker came across a 59-year-old bottle of Chartreuse 1964 VEP while clearing out his late father’s loft and was amazed by the story it revealed.
Stuart Palmer, Head of Wine, Whisky, and Spirits at Hansons Auctioneers, said: “It turned out the bottle had been bought to celebrate his birth in 1964. A note with it, written by his father to his mother, said, ‘To my darling wife, for giving me the gift of a beautiful son’.
“It’s a heart-warming find and a wonderful remainder of his parents who, sadly, are no longer with us. Not only that it’s valuable. Vintage Chartreuse is a collector’s item and this particular bottle has been consigned to auction with an estimate of £3,000-£4,000.
“It was quite a shock for our client to come across something bought to celebrate his arrival. He’s 59 now and had no idea it existed.
“His father was British and his mother French. They met in Grenoble, France in 1956, which would have been around the time that particular bottle of Chartreuse was distilled. After a long distance relationship they tied the knot in 1960. When their first-born came along in 1964, his father celebrated the occasion by giving his wife the bottle of Chartreuse, a testament to their shared journey.
“Being a Chartreuse enthusiast, his dad was aware ‘VEP’ stands for Vieillissement Exceptionnellement Prolongé, which translates to ‘Exceptionally Prolonged Ageing’. This special version of Chartreuse undergoes an extended ageing process, maturing for eight years.
“This very special bottle of Chartreuse 1964 VEP, with its secret herbal recipe of 130 herbs and spices, carries not only the heritage of this popular liqueur but represents family love. It’s an exceptional tale and an exceptionally rare bottle, as scarce as any Chartreuse we’ve ever seen at auction. There’s a strong possibility it will surpass its upper estimate,”
Auction: The Chartreuse 1964 VEP will be offered in Hansons Auctioneers’ November 22 Wine, Whisky and Spirits Sale. The auction commences at 9.30am UK time.
