This pioneering initiative harkens back to the origins of cognac, while paving the way for the future, with a collection of four precious eaux-de-vie from Martell’s Réserve Héritage
In Cognac, where distilleries throb with living pot stills and the precious distilled vapour of eaux-de-vie, stands the venerable House of Martell. Founded by Jean Martell in 1715, it is one of the oldest and greatest cognac houses around, dripping with history, excellence and French art de vivre. More than just a producer of great spirit, it’s a custodian of a rich legacy that brings tradition, craftsmanship and innovation together.
Helping Martell along this path of excellence is Christophe Valtaud, its ninth cellar master since 2016. A native of the region and son of winegrowers, he grew up with a passion for vineyards and terroirs, making him well-suited for the role. His background in research and biochemistry also helps, especially with the need to constantly evolve, innovate and perfect the next best blend.
Moving on, however, is not forgetting the past. To celebrate Martell’s 300 years of savoir faire and its endless pursuit of perfection, a private cask programme has been launched. Les Fûts Uniques de Martell, or ‘the unique barrels of Martell’, is a pioneering initiative that harkens back to the origins of cognac, while paving the way for the future. It returns to a time when cognac was distributed in casks until the mid-19th century.
“Technological advances in the 19th century saw cognac shipped in bottles instead, so you could better control the quality and fight against counterfeits,” explains Valtaud. “But this collection honours the past. For a cognac that’s known for blending, this is the opportunity to taste Martell as it is, straight from the cask, from the origin, from one vineyard.”
Each year, Valtaud will judiciously select four casks of precious eaux-de-vie from the Réserve Héritage, a special reserve of 240 eaux-de-vie (out of Martell’s full library of 12,000 eaux-de-vie) singled out for their quality and rarity.
This year’s range includes the Martell Borderies 27 Years Old, a product of the prized Borderies terroir with an airy, floral personality and luscious notes of blackcurrant. Produced by the Firino-Martell family, it was brought into the reserve by Patrick Ragueneau, the fifth cellar master. Another cask for the picking includes the full but mellow Martell Grande Champagne 32 Years Old, produced by third cellar master François Chapeau and locked in the reserve by his successor, Pierre Frugier.
Each spirit, aged in fine-grained oak and watched over by successive generations of Martell cellar masters, will be available just this once, and never again. “Once the buyer has selected the cask, they can customise the bottle and determine the ABV,” Valtaud continues. “They will also be invited on an immersive trip to the House of Martell. You have to be there in order to fully experience the cognac.”
A three-day experience will unfold between Paris and Cognac, where one would be fully taken care of, with the option to bring a plus-one for company. Think exclusive access to Martell’s storied history, a stay in a palace, a three-Michelin-starred meal at the Martell family’s former chateau, and a private tasting of the eaux-de-vie with Valtaud, which you would find to be quite special. The cellar master worked with an architect to create a room that sets the stage for the cognac, spotlighting it with everything else cast in shadow.
“My job is to make you feel something so exceptional that it’s memorable. Everything influences taste, from the colour of the light to the shape of your glass,” says Valtaud.
Keep that in mind when you make your final personalisations at the end of the journey. When all’s said and done, your selected spirit will eventually be transferred to a series of elegant montre bottles—a contemporary reinterpretation of the glass flasks traditionally used in Cognac—with each bottle secured in a wooden case, ready to go.
Prices range from €840,000 to €1.5 million. Speak with Martell’s private client department for more enquiries.
