Martell & Co Place Edouard Martell 16101 Cognac - France Tel.: (+ ...

Martell & CoPlace Edouard Martell16101 Cognac - FranceTel.: (+33) 5 45 36 33 33www.martell.comMart.ENG.

Discover Martell

Martell’s History1715: Jean Martell, born in 1694, founds his cognaccompany. Martell is now the oldestof all the great cognac houses.1912: Edouard Martell launches a first-class cognac with a unique taste,marking its inimitable style: Cordon Bleu is officially launchedat the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco.1721: Martell is already exporting more than200,000 litres of cognac to the United Kingdom.Jean Martell, noble merchant, adventurerand entrepreneur promotes his cognacall over the world till his death in 1753.1807: Jean Martell’s sons Jean and Frédéric startmanaging the company.1868: Martell goes international and exportsits cognacs as far as Asia: China, Japan,Hong Kong, etc.1936: Martell Cordon Bleu is served on the inaugural voyage of the QueenMary on the 27 th May, and gains a royal seal as the drink of choicefor the ambassadors on board.1992: Always in the pursuit of exceptional quality, L’Or de J&F Martellis launched worldwide.2002: Martell becomes part of Pernod Ricard.2005: Martell launches its new Martell XO, epitomising the entrepreneurialand independent spirit of the brand, inspired by the legitimacyof Jean Martell.3

Making Martell CognacCognac has an Appellation d’Origine ContrôléeAll cognacs must be produced in strict accordancewith the conditions set out in the 1909 decree governingthe Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée.Across the centuries, Martell has developed and perpetuatedits know-how and tradition at each stage of the cognacmaking process, which gives the unique Martell taste.Double DistillationThe wine is distilled using a technique dating back to the 15 th century.It has to be distilled twice in Charentais alembics or pot stills to extractthe quintessence of the wine which is called “eaux-de-vie”.After the distillation process, the so-called Heads and Tails are againdistilled with the wine. This distillation process, a Martell specificity,gives particularly delicate, smooth and lighter “eaux-de-vie”.The WineheadsThe raw material for cognac is the grape.Thanks to special links forged with 1,200 growers in the region,Martell selects the best wines for distillation.The excellent quality of the wines is vital because some of themwill become one hundred year old “eaux-de-vie” (spirits).winefirst distillationbrouillisbrouillisheartstailssecond distillation45

Making Martell CognacAgeingOnce distillation is over, the “eaux-de-vie” age in oak barrelsstored in “chais” - warehouses - for a minimum of two years.These barrels are handmade by coopers. Martell only usesfined-grained “Tronçais type” oak, which gives mellower,lighter and more fragrant “eaux-de-vie”.During the ageing process, the “eau-de-vie” is enhanced by compoundsfrom the wood; it is concentrated due to the evaporation effect,and over time, acquires its amber colour and its aromas.The Cellar Master’s RoleThe cellar master is the person who judiciously selects,and blends the various “eaux-de-vie” and who ensures the uniquequality and consistency of the Martell taste. Over the years, eightgenerations of cellar masters have carried on this Martell know-how.150 “eaux-de-vie” are blended to make Martell Cordon Bleu cognac.The Art of BlendingLa RochelleThe next step is to combine the “eaux-de-vie” to create cognac.Each cognac is a specific blend of “eaux-de-vie” from differentyears and different “crus” or growth areas.Only the best growth areas: Borderies, Grande Champagne, Petite Champagneand Fins Bois are used to make Martell cognacs. Martell has always favoureda predominance of “eaux-de-vie” from the Borderies area in its blends:they confer finesse, lightness and a matchless floral character.The combination of these growth areas gives the richness, complexityand balance that are at the heart of the Martell style.BorderiesGrande ChampagnePetite ChampagneFins BoisBons BoisBois OrdinairesParisRochefortSaintesRoyanCognacAngoulêmeCognacBordeaux67

Martell RangeVSMartell VS (Very Special) cognac was createdaround 150 years ago under the name of 3 stars ( *** )and has today a worldwide reputation.VSOPMartell V.S.O.P Medaillon (Very Superior Old Pale)is a welcome guest at any gathering from a largedinner party to an intimate “tête-à-tête”.The gold medaillon engraved on the bottle representsLouis XIV. It commemorates 1715, the last yearof his reign and the date when Martell was founded.Tasting NotesTasting NotesColourNoseTasteLight gold.Mild and gentle with light freshfruit notes.Vigorous but harmonious and wellbalanced. Fruity. Mellow with a pleasingfresh and pure feeling in the mouth.ColourNoseTasteGolden amber.Light grape, some wood, a touchof vanilla.Smooth and mellow. Some complexity.Dry fruit. Full with a hint of sweetness.Good length.CommentGiven its fine bouquet, Martell VSis an ideal mixer for long drinksand classic cocktails.CommentIts fullness holds up wellto ice or mixing.89

Martell RangeCordon BleuSince its creation by Edouard Martell in 1912, Cordon Bleuhas become a genuine legend. Its taste, marked predominantlyby “eaux-de-vie” from the Borderies area, and its authentic bottle,unchanged since the beginning, make it a classic among great cognacs.It is the cognac for discerning connoisseurs.Tasting NotesColourNoseTasteDeep golden copper.Round and complex. Floral and spicy fragrance.Very elegant and refined.Exceptionally smooth and round. Rich in fruit and woodwith a delicate aftertaste due to long ageing.A high proportion of Borderies grapes lends it mellownessand complexity.Comment A cognac with a unique character combining bodyand great balance.Martell Cordon Bleu has been served for various international receptions:the inaugural voyage of the Queen Mary in 1936, the historical journeyof the Orient Express in 1986…12

Martell RangeThese products are for Travel Retail only.VSOPRéserve de CrusTasting NotesColourNoseTasteCommentAmber with hints of gold.Fruity and floral notes.Smooth and mellow,exceptional finesse and lightness.Its fullness holds up wellto ice or mixing.VSSélection ExclusiveTasting NotesOdysTasting NotesColourNoseTasteLight gold.Floral and woody notes.Harmonious and well balanced,great finesse and lightness.Comment Ideal mixer for long drinksand classic cocktails.ColourNoseTasteCommentGolden amber.Mellow aromas, fruityand floral hints.Smoothness, elegance, finesse.Hints of almonds and a honeyedfinish.A cognac to be drunk neator with a splash of water and/or ice.10 11

Martell RangeXOMartell reinvented XO and launches its new XO in 2005,paying tribute to the creative and inspired spirit of its founder Jean Martell.Tasting NotesColourNoseTasteCommentA deep gold, coppery tint, enrichedwith mahogany sheens.First marked by dried fruits, bees waxand Russian leather. Then it increasesin complexity, with a wide range of sweetfruits and dried flowers and finally hintsof spices and oriental notes: mace, santalwoods...Round and fruity on the tongue initially,then come to the finesse and the powerof the Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie.A long and silky final note, which leavesa feeling of sophistication and elegancein the mouth.A subtle balance between the powerof the Grande Champagne eaux-de-vieand the elegance of the Borderies. Perfectfor special occasions.14

Martell RangeExtraRare and precious, the composition of Martell Extrais mentioned for the first time in 1819 in a letter writtenby Théodore Martell to his brother Frédéric.Martell Extra is a blend of “eaux-de-vie” hailing in partfrom Martell’s prestigious cellar known as “Le Paradis”.L’OrL'Or is a highest quality cognac, result of the alchemy betweengold and cognac. Its blend is preciously kept in an elegant, hand-crafteddecanter with gold plated shoulders and closure. It is made of the oldestand most refined “eaux-de-vie” from Martell’s “Paradis” (heaven).This is a secret and mythical place where “eaux-de-vie”over 50 or 60 years old are stored. Some date back to 1830.Tasting NotesTasting NotesColourNoseTasteGolden copper.Very mild and delicate,with a hint of wood.Its delicate and fully maturedtaste slowly expands to deliverfull aroma. Exceptional lengthand fullness.ColourNoseTasteDeep golden copper.Very intense, powerful and complexwith hints of blackcurrants.Full and dense, with rich concentratedflavours, including a hint of hazelnuts.Full bodied and generouswith an intense aftertaste.CommentA classical cognacto be drunk neat.CommentA cognac of a rare intensityto be drunk neat only for very specialoccasions.16 17

Art of Tasting by Bruno LemoineThe tasting session should be a pleasurableexperience. It is a sensory discovery engagingthe curiosity of the taster and his memory.When learning to taste, two areas are developed:the taste buds and the ability to describeone’s impressions and to remember them.During the tasting, three of our sensesare successively used: sight, smell and taste.SightA glance at the cognac allows you to appreciateits colour and develop an impression aboutits quality and its age.The colour, the transparencyand the brilliance are then studied.A dark colour signifies a long periodof ageing for the “eaux-de-vie”.SmellThe nose should confirm your firstimpressions. The nose also determinesthe intensity and the harmony of the cognac.It also reveals the aromas:- The first aroma, when approaching the nose of the glass should be:floral, fruity, vegetal...- The second aroma, after swirling the cognac in the glass should be:mature fruits, candied fruits, fig, plum, grape, dried fruits, hazelnut,walnut, humus, smoked, roasted, spicy…TasteFinally, taste. The pleasure of tasting reveals its true character.Taste should complete and confirm the first impressions.Thanks to the perception of four flavours in the mouth (sweet, salty,acid, bitter), taste also determines the balance and the strengthof the cognac.Enjoy your tasting!Bruno LemoineMartell’s Cellar MasterIn the previous pages, our Cellar Master has made a few commentsabout each quality of Martell cognac. Tasting is subjective, let’s comparehis comments with your own impressions after your tasting!1819

Mixing MartellMartell TonicMartell Ginger- 4 cl Martell cognac- Tonic- IceFill a long glasswith tonic and ice.Add Martell.- 2 cl Martell cognac- Ginger ale- IcePour Martell over iceinto a long glass.Top up with ginger ale.Martell presents its originalrange of cocktails !Unique colours, new flavoursand surprising tastes !Martell Cosmopolitan- 4 cl of Martell cognac- 1 cl triple sec- 1 cl fresh lemon juice- 4 cl cranberry juice- IceShake all ingredientstogether with ice.Strain into cocktail glass.Martell Sour- 4 cl Martell cognac- Fresh lemon juice- Sugar- IceShake all ingredientstogether. Put into a tumbler.Martell FramboiseMartell AppletiniFor perfect cocktail base, chooseMartell VS or Martell VSOP Médaillon- 2cl Martell cognac- 1cl raspberry liqueur- ChampagnePour Martell and liqueurinto a champagne flute.Top up with chilledchampagne.21- 4 cl Martell cognac- 4 cl apple liqueur- Ginger Ale- IcePour Martell and liqueurinto a glass togetherwith ice. Top up with gingerale. Garnish with appleslices.

Visiting MartellMartell, the oldest of all the great cognac houses offers a guidedtour to discover all the stages of the production of the Martell cognac.The visitor will discover the Founder's House, restored and furnishedaccording to the lifestyle of the beginning of the 18th century,as well as the Office of the Cellar Master. This room which holdsmore than 1,000 samples of “eaux-de-vie” restores all the magic of blending.The visit ends with a unique attraction, the life-size reconstructionof a gabarre, boat formerly used to transport barrels of cognacon the Charente.The visit lasts approximately an hour and ends with a tasting session*.Opening schedules:From April till October: every day.From November till March: on booking.Information and booking: Tel. : +33 (0)5 45 36 33 33.*Legal age required22