it’s called Verveine du Velay by Distillerie Pagès Vedrenne. they’re a French producer, like the Carthusians, hailing from Puy-en-Velay and their liqueur dates back to 1859. Unlike Luxardo Del Santo (which is amazing in its own right but only has 40% ABV), this stuff clocks in at 55% ABV, the exact same as Chartreuse. a blind taste test of both liqueurs might have someone hard pressed to tell the difference.

while the Verveine du Velay tastes more watery on its own, it holds up very well in a classic Last Word. Unlike Del Santo, which should only be mixed, this is good enough to stand on its own right.

what do you think? have you tried this one?