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Intacta is the best known, and most widely available of several cordials produced by the OMVI. Unlike most other monastic liqueurs, Intacta was not created as an elixir or tonic, but rather to enhance a combatant’s concentration and courage in battle. Intacta also differs from the typical monastic liqueur in that it is more similar to an eau de vie than the syrupy, sweet herbal preparations most people associate with monasteries today; Intacta is a clear, slightly blue tinted, thin-bodied spirit. It is quite strong (110+ proof), with a clean, crisp taste and a floral nose; its primary taste notes include honey, cucumbers and quinine, but it has a surprisingly long and complex herbal finish.

The OMVI began producing cordials in the 12th century, but have been making alcoholic beverages nearly as long as the order has existed. The brotherhood’s traditional drink has always been a spiced mead made from borage honey, although they have brewed a variety of beers and ales over the years, both for their own consumption and in order to generate income for the order. Shortly after the invention of reliable distillation technology, the brethren began making their mead into spirits, and experimented with infusions of local herbs, as well as exotic substances brought back by brothers returning from distant travels. Recipes for the various spirits produced by the brotherhood have varied with the times, the location of their primary base of operations, and the travels and involvements of the brothers. However, all OMVI cordials have had at least a few common elements:

1. distilled from a mead base, with the mead made from honey harvested from bees that primarily foraged Borage flowers;
2. pot distilled (even to the present day);
3. flavored by steeping Borage flowers (among other herbs and spices) in the raw distillate, and adding a very small amount of Borage honey
4. minimally aged

Production of spirits by the OMVI has fluctuated over the years, with it sometimes being a significant operation, even employing lay-people, and at other times essentially little more than a hobby of some of the more traditionalist brothers. During most of the brotherhood’s history the order has produced spirits in small but commercial quantities, providing them with one of their main sources of income.

While production has never been at industrial scale, Intacta has proven to be a significant and reliable source of income, commanding a high price, and achieving surprisingly wide distribution. The former is largely because of the mythology surrounding Intacta (and other OMVI spirits) – it is reputed to impart its imbibers with an expansive spirit, improved concentration, and courage, and unlike other alcoholic beverages of its strength, Intacta is believed to not reduce coordination or impair judgment (unless consumed to great excess). The wide distribution of Intacta is thanks in part to the OMVI’s practice of training young nobles from across Europe in the martial arts. While at the monastery, trainees become acquainted with Intacta and invariably develop a lifelong taste for it, often arranging for it to be imported to their home regions. Although geographically widespread, it has always been rare to find Intacta anywhere outside of an aristocrat’s private stock, or the most exclusive clubs.