Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail has announced the release of a new limited-edition Cognac from Maison Martell – L’Or de Jean Martell Réserve du Château Chanteloup.
The liquid is launching with just 1,000 decanters available globally, 50 of which will be sold through key travel retail hubs from January onwards at around US$7,200 each. Locations for travel retail include Hainan island, plus airports in Shanghai, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Paris and more.
[Watch out for The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt’s full on location report, coming shortly.]
Martell said that the new expression represents “a true embodiment of opulence and heritage”. The new edition marks the start of a series that sees yearly releases and partnerships with different prestigious French châteaux where the final ageing process takes place. Already the next three châteaux partnerships have been planned, noted the brand owner.
Maison Martell has collaborated with Baccarat, one of France’s leading manufacturers of fine crystal, to create the elegant decanter for the new expression. The sleek lines in the design aim to evoke a single, pure drop of Cognac.
L’Or de Jean Martell Réserve du Château blends more than 1,400 eaux-de-vie from the four finest terroirs in the Cognac region. As part of the ageing process, the liquid is aged after blending in barrels of 300-year-old oak, first in a historic cellar in Cognac, followed by a chosen château, celebrating the French art de vivre, said Martell.
Company executives said the wood used is from a sustainably managed French forest, and only fine-grain oak is used, which helps deliver smoother, delicate flavours.
For this first edition, the ageing has been completed at the Château de Chanteloup, the historic home of the Martell family.
Martell stated: “The liquid makes for an extraordinary sensory journey from start to finish. Cognac fans can expect notes of iris, wild carnation, and honeysuckle; all merging into sweet, rich aromas of red and black fruit – notably cherry and blackcurrant heightened by a hint of spice.
“As the Cognac evolves, aromas of earth and rancio come to the fore, while fragrant notes of sandalwood and cedar recall the casks made of 300-year-old French oak in which the Cognac rests.”
Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail Vice President Marketing Liya Zhang said: “Martell is further accelerating its ambitions in the ultra-prestige segment with the launch of L’Or de Jean Martell Réserve du Château Chanteloup. We see the new edition as a testament to the brand’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship, reflecting our mission to elevate premium offerings in travel retail locations.
“We know that exclusive and rare Cognacs are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs in travel retail, so we are thrilled to be able to offer a rare Martell expression for global travellers in 2024.” ✈
PHOTO GALLERY (more to follow)
