Five Gold medals, including one for “elegant” Jean Fillioux – Napoléon, and two Silver medals concluded the flight. The oldest of the great cognac houses, founded by Jean Martell in 1715, Maison Martell is renowned throughout the world for the finesse and elegance of its cognacs, the result of a legacy of savoir-faire handed down through nine generations. Together with a passion for its craft and a profound attachment to the terroir, Maison Martell is defined by the audacity with which it has pioneered new expressions – from the icon Martell Cordon Bleu in 1912 to the trailblazing Martell Blue Swift today.

Group two was chaired by Matt Chambers, spirits writer and co-founder of the Whisky For Everyone blog. He was accompanied by: Evan Prousaefs, bar manager at Sexy Fish; and Dr Winnie Bowman, Cape wine master, wine and spirits judge and writer. Public-service organisation responsible for looking after the interests of cognac and all related activities. In comparison to other cognac producers, Martell is the only one to distill from exclusively clear wines (impurities have been removed) to produce what’s known as eux-de-vie, which is then used to make cognac.The VS – Single Cru flight delivered a Gold medallist in the form of Courvoisier Cognac VS. Chambers found notes of “caramel and treacle” on the nose, followed by “pepper, raisins and woody spice” on the palate. Since 1715, Maison Martell has perpetuated an uncompromising savoir-faire defined by the decision to age its eaux-de-vie exclusively in barrels of fine-grained oak. The final flights looked at vintage Cognacs, starting with those in the super-premium price tier. Here, a Gold medal was awarded to Courvoisier Cognac XO Royal. Tasting notes included “golden syrup and woody spices towards the end”.

On the palate it continues to impress, with sensual yellow fruits coming to the fore, combining power and delicacy in just the right measures. How to enjoy the Martell VSOP Aged in Red Barrels Jean Martell, a young merchant, was born on the island of Jersey in 1694. [4] It was then a location known for smuggling, which may have led to his involvement in the liquor trade. [4] In 1715 he began his own trading business at Gatebourse in Cognac, [5] on the banks of the Charente, and thus founded one of the first cognac houses. Variations of the logo he chose, a swift in combination with the Martell family coat of arms, have been in use ever since. [4]

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This elegant and harmonious cognac, exemplifying Maison Martell’s approach to ageing, is now being unveiled in a vibrant, new design that is consistent with the House’s heritage and legacy of audacity. 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 “red” of the barrel refers to the color of aged oak, which has housed other eaux-de-vie before it. This process will have taken place for at least 2 years and up to 8 years. This allows the spirit to reach the perfect stage of maturation. The Martell aging and distilling style is unlike no other, allowing for fantastic eaux-de-vie to be produced. Incidentally, the reason these abbreviations are in English is because cognac has been exported for many years and the first importers spoke English.

Martell is among the oldest brands of Cognac in the world with 300 years of history. This brandy is made from white grapes exclusively grown in Cognac, specifically Charente and Charente-Maritime regions of France. The resulting wine from grapes is then distilled twice in copper stills to make eaux-de-vie. This is then aged in oak for a minimum of two years for the VS then blend to make specific flavors of Cognac. Martell production is unique, following a strict method of production and distillation called Charentais Alambic. Martell is amongst the most popular brandies in the world and is celebrated for the elegance in its taste.

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Greenhouse, Steven (1987-12-17). "Seagram Makes an Offer for Martell". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331 . Retrieved 2022-03-24. 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. a b "Spirits & Wines: Martell takes a bold new direction". The Moodie Davitt Report. 2003-10-31 . Retrieved 2022-03-24. Courvoisier XO also met the Master criteria, delighting the judges’ palates with “caramel and woody spices, a hint of chocolate-coated raisins, rancio and old furniture polish”, and a “hint of gingerbread” at the end. A bottle of Martell Cordon Bleu can be seen in the opening scene of Apocalypse Now (1979), on the bedside table of Captain Willard (played by Martin Sheen). [18] See also [ edit ]

Enjoy this quality VSOP in many ways; perhaps in the traditional manner, as a digestif gently warmed in the hand. It works superbly over ice, or even straight from the freezer! Whatever way you choose to drink it, this Martell Cognac will certainly be well received at all kinds of occasions. Presentation of the bottle All cognacs are brandies, but not all brandies are cognacs. In general terms, brandy is produced by distilling wine and aged in wooden casks. Cognac is brandy that is produced in the region of Cognac, France, and follows very strict distilling procedures. What is Martell cognac made from? a b "Profile: The House of Martell". Luxury Insider. 16 November 2011. Archived from the original on 25 November 2011 . Retrieved 3 January 2017. Master-winning A de Fussigny XO Fine Champagne intrigued the judges with its “superbly expressive” nose, leading to “a hint of tropical fruit and earthy spices, chamois leather, old cigar box and a lovely peppery note on the finish”.

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Martell is known for its elegance and tradition. Martell cognac was served at the gala dinner to celebrate the marriage of Prince Rainier of Monaco to the US actress Grace Kelly, and was even given as a gift to Queen Elizabeth II on her first visit to France! Brandy vs. Cognac: What’s the difference? By this logic, VS bottles of cognac tend to be a lighter amber when poured. XO bottles of cognac are very dark and smooth. This applies to all cognac producers, not just Martell. Martell specifically uses fine-grain oak wood, which gives their cognac a delicate woody flavor. Since cognac can only be made in Cognac, France, there are only a few brands that have managed to establish distilleries there. Competition is incredibly fierce amongst these different cognac brands, which often reflects in their prices. Rémy Martin Brandy