Martell unveils an era-defining luxury cognac dedicated to the French art of living well

The year is 1715. The place, Cognac, south of France. Jean Martell, freshly schooled in the intricacies of trade by his mentor Lawrence Martin, had just arrived from the British Jersey Island, brimming with ambition and savoir-faire. Swiftly establishing himself as a savvy trader of distilled spirit eaux-de-vie (“water for life” in French), he took up residence in the elegant Chateau de Chanteloup, a place that would later be celebrated as Maison Martell.

Fast forward to today, and Maison Martell stands as the oldest of the grand cognac houses worldwide. Inside its walls lie archives chronicling Martell’s journey in becoming one of the world’s most desirable cognac brands, making appearances at the coronation of King George V, the wedding banquet of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainer of Monaco, and at the state banquets of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Recounting this legacy of enterprise, craftsmanship and heritage is a new tradition – the Reserve du Chateau. Every year, an inspired blend will be cellared in one of the great houses of France to create a spirit that mirrors refinement and opulence – a true embodiment of the French art of living well. The inaugural release, L’Or de Jean Martell – Reserve du Chateau de Chanteloup, pays homage to Maison Martell itself.

OF GOLDEN ERAS

In the year Jean Martell made his mark at Chateau de Chanteloup, King Louis XIV passed away. The French monarch, often referred to as the Sun King, had ushered in a golden age of art. It was the height of French sophistication, one that celebrated various aspects of living well, from social decorum and intellectual exchange to the appreciation of artisanal craft.

Martell, carrying forward this legacy of refinement, initiated a cognac movement with his unique methods. The innovative approach involved sourcing the finest eaux-de-vie from diverse vineyards to create his signature blends. Martell dedicated time to carefully aging the clear brandy in oak barrels, allowing it to reach its own “golden age” and yield the most complex and alluring profiles.

The Reserve du Chateau de Chanteloup takes this craftsmanship to the next level, incorporating over 1,400 eaux-de-vie, with unique profiles emerging from four distinct terroirs. Overseeing this exacting curation is Martell’s cellar master, Christophe Valtaud, who skillfully aged the exquisite formula in barrels crafted from 300-year-old French fine-grained oak. To bring the journey full circle, the final maturation takes place within the walls of the Chateau de Chanteloup itself.

Just as the Palace of Versailles was emblematic of the Sun King’s accomplishments, the precious new cognac pays tribute to Maison Martell’s heritage of luxury. It is available in a limited global release of 1,000 individually numbered decanters.

A DROP OF GOLD

To capture the essence of French art de vivre, the luxury crystal masters at Baccarat were invited to create a decanter befitting this milestone premiere.

Evoking the purity of a fine drop of cognac, the crystal decanter is satisfyingly ample yet sleek. Resting on a gilded pedestal swirl, it culminates at the top with a 19-carat gold-painted neck, displaying a unique number that adds the final touch of opulence. The ornate wooden box housing the decanter recalls the rare casks used in the cognac-making process while offering a tantalising peek of the golden liquid through a drop-shaped window. Within the box lies a product booklet and two stoppers – one used for display and the other for transportation.

Complete the full sensory encounter when you pour yourself a glass. Be greeted by a vivid bouquet of delicate florals – iris, wild carnation and honeysuckle – before drifting into a delectable array of forest fruits. A subtle spicy edge might catch your attention before descending into the deeper woods, with notes of sandalwood and cedar bestowed by the ancient oak barrels and time spent in the cellar.

The L’Or de Jean Martell – Reserve du Chateau de Chanteloup heralds a new way to indulge in artistry. Maison Martell plans to extend this celebration of life’s finer pleasures with future releases, collaborating with prestigious chateaus and uncovering inspiration for new chapters of sophistication.

The L’Or de Jean Martell – Reserve du Chateau de Chanteloup is available at select luxury retailers at a suggested retail price of S$9,888.