Martell, one of the first cognac houses was founded by Jean Martell in 1715, a young merchant originally from Jersey, where he created his own trading business at Gatebourse in Cognac, on the banks of Charente. After his death in 1753, his widow and then his two sons and grandson continued this tradition and developed the export business to make Martell the number one cognac export in England in 1814.
Martell’s Eaux-de-vie is aged in French oak from trees of the Tronçais style, with a fine grain that creates cognacs with lighter tannins and a delicate woody flavour. Martell uses grapes for its Eaux-de-vie from the exclusive and most prestigious Cognac appellations of Borderies, Petit Champagne and Grande Champagne, with the majority of the grapes being Borderies.
Martell Cordon Bleu has its own name and has no designation such as V.S.O.P or X.O, however, it can be classified under the X.O category because Martell Cordon Bleu ages its Eaux-de-vie for between 10 and 25 years. The legal requirement for cognac to be designated X.O is minimum ageing of 10 years.
TO THE EYES
Deep golden copper.
TO THE NOSE
Vibrant, rich and complex, with orchard fruit, candied plum and apple with roasted notes of mocha coffee, toasted almonds and vetiver.
TO THE PALATE
Rounded, mellow sensation further enhanced by Borderies Eaux-de-vie, which lend elegance and complexity.
TO THE END
An impressively long finish characterised by notes of fruit and spices.