Golden amber in colour with dark copper and mahogany highlights, the nose is ground spice and red berries with a fruity palate with notes of fig and walnut. A long and silken finish.

VS stands for “Very Special”: only eaux-de-vie at least two years old can be used to make a VS cognac. Other denominators and expressions are permitted, such as “3 stars” or “luxury”, and as such are included in the VS cognac category.Incidentally, the reason these abbreviations are in English is because cognac has been exported for many years and the first importers spoke English. Going deeper into the gastronomic side of things, Martell XO provides some interesting pairings with rich foods such as aged cheeses like camembert and cheddar, and creamy sauces. Public-service organisation responsible for looking after the interests of cognac and all related activities. The ageing process generally determines the label: VS, VSOP, XO, XXO, Extra, Réserve, Hors d’Age, and Napoleon for starters. There are also some brands of cognac that are classified as Cuvée, which denotes the blend and not necessarily the age of the spirit.

Martell has its own unique distillation method. After heating the wine in traditional copper pots, we leave the sediment to settle, using only the clear surface liquor, which is distilled in the traditional Charente double distillation method. We are the only Cognac house to distil clear wines in this way, producing exceptionally fine eaux-de-vie. Palate :Rounded and fruity on the palate (notes of fig and walnut) followed by the characteristic power and finesse of eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne. Martell ages in Tronçais oak wood barrels. Tronçais means the trees have been planted closer together to slow their growth rate, giving a fine grain, which imparts soft subtle tannins with wonderfully rich aromas. Introduced in 2005, Martell XO is a distinct blend from the house of Martell with 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) and an intense yet powerful flavour profile that carries the taste of audacious tradition.You might recognize the Martell XO for the exclusive Martell: Wings film campaign that was launched for the Cognac by James Gray. By taking the “swift” emblem of Martell, he pays tribute to the heritage of this maison. History of Martell Martell, the oldest major cognac house in the world, has been producing fine cognac since 1715. For 300 years The House of Martell has perpetuated the unique art of distilling the finest crus, skilfully aging eaux-de-vie and blending them with expert craftsmanship and passion. The arched bottle gives Martell XO a one-of-a-kind character and reveals the visionary spirit of Jean Martell in Cognac creation. It is the perfect Cognac for special occasions, and is best experienced neat or with water. The house have also released their own tricentenary edition of the Martell XO to pander to the rich tastes of a great Cognac lover. Find out more about it right here. Martell XO Awards The shape of Martell VS and Martell VSOP is a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional and historic cognac bottle shape. The swift is magnified and engraved, a tactile detail that is pleasant to touch. ​

Look also for representations of the swift, a bird famed for flying far and fast, soaring over land and sea, and knowing no frontiers. Emblematic of Martell, it symbolises the House’s spirit of audacity and freedom. Costco Online UK Limited, UK Home Office, Hartspring Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 8JS. Registered in England and Wales No. 8055444 VS, VSOP and XO refer to the age and quality of the cognac. Each corresponds to how long the brandy has been aged in oak barrels. In 1983, following a request by the BNIC (Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac)*, the French government drafted regulations governing the terms used to describe a cognacs’ quality. These designations, which may be included on the label, refer to the age of the youngest eau-de-vie used in making the cognac. Martell XO is double distilled from grapes grown in the Grand Champagne terroir of the Charente region in France and aged for a minimum of 10 years in oak casks. Martell is one of the oldest great cognac houses in the world, with a legacy of more than 300 years since 1715. Founded by Jean Martell from Jersey, Martell boasts a grand heritage of well-kept cellars and soulful craftsmanship that has been passed from hand to hand for generations. What is Martell XO made of?Only white grapes are used in the production of cognac because of its high acidity, which produces eau-de-vie that better preserves the complex aromas of the grapes but takes a longer time to mature. Tasting Notes VSOP stands for “Very Superior Old Pale”: VSOP cognacs are created from eaux-de-vie aged for at least four years. The VSOP category includes designations such as “Old” or “Reserve”. The design of each bottle of Martell captures and conveys the history, elegance and savoir-faire of the oldest of the great cognac houses in France, from the blue ribbon and tradition-inspired label, to the telltale arch at the base.

XO stands for “Extra Old”: XO cognacs are made only from eaux-de-vie at least ten years old. Cognacs such as “Napoleon” or “Old Reserve” are equivalent to XO cognac.Cognac is a blend of spirits that is only produced in the Cognac region in France, but unlike wine, it is legally required to undergo a double distillation process and then aged in oak barrels for a number of years. Making Martell Cognac is a complex process. Every step is key to getting the right balance of flavours.