Martell cognac: history, specifics, types
One of the oldest Cognac Houses in France is known all over the world for its premium luxury drinks, which over the years have been served to crowned heads of state, celebrities and influential people.
The cost of products depends on the aging period and the value of individual spirits. And if young cognacs can hardly be called affordable, then collectible copies with long aging in a chic design are not affordable for everyone.
The history of the brand
It is interesting that the merit of creating one of the most famous farms in France belongs to a visiting entrepreneur from Jersey - Jean Martel.
After marrying a young Frenchwoman, the talented businessman founded a small spirits company in the city of Cognac. It happened in 1715.
Fifty years later, the products of the House of Martell conquered the United States and in about the same period of time entered the list of the best cognacs in England.
It is worth saying that the business of Jean Martel had already passed into the hands of his heirs at that time, but the first steps in a promising direction were made by the founder of the company.
By the middle of the XIX century, the company had mastered the Asian market, and at the beginning of the 20th century, Martel cognac became an honored "guest" at the coronation of George V in England.
The year 1912 was significant for the company, when a legend was created - the drink of the "Extra Old" category - "Martell Cordon Bleu". This was the first cognac of the company to receive its own name and become the brand's hallmark.
It was Cordon Bleu that set sail with the luxurious transatlantic liner Queen Mary, attended the gala dinner on the occasion of the wedding of the Prince of Monaco and the French reception in honor of Queen Elizabeth II.
Traveling in elite trains and on board airliners, filming in Hollywood movies and tasting surrounded by influential people - these are not all the solemn events that have befallen the famous drink.
Today, the Martell House is one of the world's three largest cognac producers and holds leading positions in the sale of spirits in many countries.
Specifics of production
The best winemakers, distillation masters, blenders, and storage experts work on the creation of outstanding cognacs.
"Place, precision and time" are the main points that underlie the unique manufacturing technology that has been followed for three centuries. It involves:
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Growing raw materials within the traditional terroir
The mild oceanic climate, abundance of sunshine, and fertile soil give the product its characteristic features: elegance, floral notes, candied fruit and mild spices.
Jean Martel paid special attention to the silicate-clay soils of Bordeaux, where the Uni Blanc variety, popular in the cognac business, is still cultivated, adding elegance and nobility to the drinks.
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Strict approach to the distillation process
The wines used as a base are thoroughly cleaned of impurities and sediments, and then heated in copper tanks in the old fashioned way.
The temperature and time of distillation are precisely measured.
Pure raw materials make it possible to produce exceptionally fine and aromatic cognac spirits - real "living water", and strict adherence to the parameters gives the drinks the recognizable style of the Martel House.
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Aging in special barrels made of fine-grained oak
A special type of wood, combined with the darkness and silence of family cellars, completes the process and leads to the birth of elegant, balanced cognac spirits, whose bouquet contains notes of vanilla, dried fruits, red berries and flowers.
In the process of aging, the drinks acquire a characteristic amber color and a delicate oak flavor.
The type of barrel and its preparation matter. The new vessels give the product a strong woody flavor, while the used ones are less pronounced.
Light oak firing allows the cognac bouquet to develop more vividly.
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Blending
The maturation of cognacs lasts from two years to several centuries.
The exact term for each drink is determined by a specialist working in the cellar.
After reaching the desired degree of maturity, the spirits are mixed according to the old recipe.
The complex art of blending is only accessible to true professionals who have not only a delicate sense of smell, but also truly magical abilities in the art of creating harmonious bouquets.
It is worth mentioning the original design of Martell collection drinks, to which the manufacturer pays no less attention than to the contents of the bottles.
Figured crystal decanters, calfskin boxes with mirrors, designer bottles with monograms - these masterpieces are worth at least seeing, if not holding in your hands.
Types of Martel cognac
Martell NCF
One of the latest developments of the House, produced using an innovative technology: the drink is filtered at room temperature, unlike the classic one, which is carried out at 0°.
The result is a cognac with a fresh, lively character, in which you can feel the accents of apricot jam, vanilla, tangerine, pink grapefruit, candied fruit and citrus zest.
Recommended to be served with ice.
Martell VS / Single Distillery
The youngest of the company's cognacs, aged for only two years.
Color: light golden. Nose: harmonious, soft, fresh, fruity, with tones of pear, banana and vanilla.
The distinctive feature of the second one is an intense, deeper taste and brighter aroma.
Martell VSOP
Available in three versions: regular, VSOP with Médallion and VSOP aged in Red Barrels.
Color: Golden amber. Aroma: bitter lime, tart liquorice, juicy quince, raisins and plum combined with fresh woody and nutty notes.
Taste: soft, velvety, round, fruity, with a long aftertaste.
The drink from the "red barrels" is aged in containers that have already been used to store cognac. They add elegance and delicacy to the product, enhance its "fruity" character.
Martell Distinction
Another drink of category V.S.O.P. Color: amber gold with copper reflections.
Bouquet: candied fruit, plum jam, lemon zest, vanilla, saffron, ginger, honey.
Taste: balanced, sensual.
Martell Noblige
A balanced, sensual, powerful cognac with a caramel and creamy aroma, bottled in elegant elongated bottles.
A drink that goes beyond category V.S.O.P, but which has not yet reached the following.
Color: copper-gold. Nose: fruity and vanilla with woody and caramel hints. Long honey aftertaste.
Martell Cordon Bleu / Extra
Unique cognac of category X.O. "Ideal for special occasions".
Copper color, apple and plum aroma with notes of roasted coffee and almonds.
Taste: soft, fruity and spicy, elegant, rich.
First released in 1912. In the Extra version, the bouquet of the famous drink acquires new shades: the taste becomes deeper and brighter, playing with notes of cinnamon, black currant, orange peel and dried fruit.
Martell X.O.
A sophisticated and elegant drink, complemented by a matching frame in the form of a designer bottle.
Color: copper-amber with golden reflections.
Aroma: spicy and spicy with notes of pepper, fig, sandalwood, walnut.
Intense fruit and berry flavor is best revealed in its pure form.
Martell Chanteloup
Powerful, sensual Extra class cognac with honey and fruity aroma and shimmering amber hue.
The taste is dominated by tones of dried fruits and nuts.
L'OR de Jean Martell
A unique drink that includes 400 rare cognac spirits, poured into handmade crystal decanters.
Deep amber color, fresh fruity and spicy aroma with notes of berries, gingerbread and oriental spices.
Taste: silky, exciting, rich, with tones of orange, vanilla, black currant and a long, enveloping aftertaste.
Martell Cohiba
A rare amber-copper-colored cognac, the raw materials for which are harvested exclusively in the Grand Champagne region.
The manufacturer positions it as "the perfect drink for cigar lovers".
The bouquet includes dried fruits, berries, nuts, roasted coffee beans, light floral and licorice notes.
Single Estate and Millésime 1972 collections
Drinks created with the help of special technologies: the first ones are made from raw materials of a certain terroir, the second ones - from the harvest of a certain year.
The manufacturer regularly replenishes its product line, including the release of modernized versions of iconic drinks and fundamentally new developments.
Martel cognacs are best drunk neat or in the company of ice or a small amount of spring water.
Young drinks are good in cocktails, recipes for which can be found on the manufacturer's website.
Update: 28.12.2018
Category: Brandy and Cognac