🥃 Martell

Martell is the oldest of the "big four" cognac houses, which together produce most of the world's cognac. It was founded in 1715 by Jean Martell in the town of Cognac, France. Since 2001 the brand has belonged to the Pernod Ricard group, in its division Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët.

Jean Martell was born in 1694 on the island of Jersey, and in 1715 he settled in Cognac, in the Gatebourse quarter. Control of the house changed hands: in 1987 or 1988 it was bought by the Canadian company Seagram (sources differ), and in 2001, together with part of Seagram's assets, the brand passed to Pernod Ricard. Cordon Bleu, the brand's flagship, appeared in 1912 and for a long time was one of the most popular premium cognacs. Sources also give 1831 as the date of the first VSOP.

A characteristic feature of Martell is that it distils only clear wines without lees; according to Difford's Guide and Country & Townhouse, it is the only big house that does so. The casks are made from fine-grained oak from the Tronçais forest, although sources contradict one another on whether the casks are new or used. The brand's historic cru is considered to be Borderies; the cognac crus as a whole are Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois and Bons Bois.

The range also includes drinks that are not cognac. Blue Swift is a VSOP finished in bourbon casks: under European Union rules such maturation takes the product out of the cognac category, so legally it is a "spirit drink", even though the base is cognac spirit.

Why this matters to you. The name "cognac" is protected by law, and Blue Swift is not cognac, even though it is made by the same house. Look on the label for the word "Cognac" and the age designation (VS, VSOP, XO). The strength of cognac is usually 40% ABV, so a serving is not light. The WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.