For the first time in its history, Martell launches a collection crafted exclusively with eaux-de-vie from a single terroir

In the world of spirits, cognac holds a prestigious position. Known for its rich history, complex flavour profiles, and revered production processes, the character and personality of a cognac are deeply influenced by the terroir from which its eaux-de-vie originate.

Terroir encompasses the unique combination of geography, climate, soil, and other environmental factors that give agricultural products like grapes their distinctive character. In the context of cognac, each region, or cru, imparts its eaux-de-vie with a unique aromatic profile and specific ageing potential.

Fins Bois is noted for its reddish clay and limestone soils, producing light and airy eaux-de-vie. In contrast, Petite Champagne's greyish, chalky soils give rise to fine, structured eaux-de-vie that are vigorous and have a long finish. The Borderies cru is renowned for its delicate and elegant eaux-de-vie, with distinct floral and candied fruit aromas. Grande Champagne's terroir, characterised by chalk and limestone, produces eaux-de-vie known for their aromatic depth and intensity.

That’s why the Martell Single Cru Collection marks a significant milestone in the house's 300-year history. For the first time, each cognac in this collection is crafted exclusively with eaux-de-vie from a single terroir. Cellar master Christophe Valtaud oversees this selective process, which involves choosing only those eaux-de-vie that most accurately reflect the essence of each terroir.

The rigorous selection process is so exacting that fewer than 400 of the 11,000 eaux-de-vie in the Martell reserves are chosen, contributing to the collection's rarity. 

This collection — which includes the Discovery, Aged, and Vintage editions — represents different facets of cognac craftsmanship, with each edition offering a unique glimpse into the art of cognac-making.

The essence of the Single Cru

Tailored for those beginning their journey in the realm of cognac, the Discovery Edition serves as an introductory experience. It presents a blend that is accessible yet intricate, aiming to encapsulate the fundamental characteristics of the Martell flavour profile. This edition is a gateway, offering an inviting and palatable taste for a broad audience, making it an ideal starting point for novices.

The Aged Edition celebrates maturity and complexity. Cognacs in this category have undergone extended ageing processes, which enhance their depth and richness and are particularly appealing to enthusiasts with a penchant for more developed, nuanced flavours. The extended ageing in oak barrels imparts a pronounced character to these cognacs, marked by a deeper colour and more intricate aromas and tastes.

The crown jewel of the collection, the Vintage Edition, is a testament to the uniqueness of individual harvest years. Each cognac vintage reflects a specific year's climatic conditions and resulting grape quality, offering connoisseurs a chance to experience the subtle variations and distinctiveness of different vintages. This edition is particularly significant for collectors and aficionados who appreciate vintage spirits' rarity and historical significance.

Contextualising the Collection

The Martell Single Cru Collection culminates in a meticulous production process honouring traditional cognac-making methods. The journey begins in the vineyards of the Cognac region, where grapes are carefully selected for their quality and suitability for cognac production. Following harvest, the grapes undergo fermentation and distillation, transforming the fruit into eaux-de-vie, the heart of cognac.

The ageing process is where the eaux-de-vie evolves into cognac. In Martell's cellars, these spirits are aged in oak barrels, a crucial step contributing to the cognac's final flavour profile. The barrels' wood imparts distinctive notes to the cognac, such as vanilla, oak, and spices, while the ageing process itself softens the spirit, integrating the flavours and aromas.

“From the very beginning, the ethos of Maison Martell has been to express the best of the Cognac terroir,” Christophe Valtaud, Martell's cellar master, said of the collection. “With Martell Single Cru, a rare and prestigious collection which represents less than 1 per cent of Martell cognacs, I aimed to reveal the richness and diversity of the finest crus.”

“My hope,” he emphasises, “is that this aromatic exploration of the Cognac region will speak to adventurous cognac drinkers, opening their minds and palates to new tastes and enabling them to build their own personal collection — one which reflects their preferences and the pleasure of discovery.”