Know-How
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  • The Expertise
  • The tradition of excellence begun by Jean Martell in 1715 is upheld today at every stage of the cognac-making process. Each of the decisions taken by those following in his footsteps plays a part in giving Martell cognacs their own inimitable, sensory style. Elegant and complex, Martell cognacs stand out for the distinctive balance of their blends.<br/>Discover what makes Martell cognacs unique.
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  • The Borderies
  • Martell cognacs are made with Ugni Blanc grapes selected from the four most prestigious of the region’s growths: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Fins Bois and above all the Borderies, the most exclusive of all. Selecting eaux-de-vie primarily from the Borderies endows Martell’s prestigious cognacs with their own matchless character, distinctive finesse and elegance.
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  • The Distillation Process
  • Since 1715 Martell has selected the best wines to distil them into precious eaux-de-vie. The house has continually refined the traditional double distillation in Charentais pot stills, opting to distil only clear wines, without their lees, to obtain smooth, light and delicate eaux-de-vie.
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  • The Barrels
  • The freshly distilled eaux-de-vie can only become cognacs after slowly ageing in oak barrels hand-made by master coopers. Martell takes great care in using exclusively fine-grain oak for its barrels. This wood is known for the remarkable softness of its tannins, lending the eaux-de-vie colour, nose and body of unparalleled richness and subtlety.
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  • The Cellars
  • This is where Martell cognacs develop in great secrecy, where the slumbering eaux-de-vie, carefully stored in casks, attain full maturity. In the darkness of the Martell cellars, the eaux-de-vie gradually develop, taking on an exquisite amber colour and subtle flavours from the gentle action of the wood’s tannins and aromas. During this long maturation process, the eaux-de-vie slowly become more concentrated, each passing year allowing the evaporation of the ‘angels’ share’ to soften the spirit and enhance its aromas.
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  • The Jean Martell Cellar
  • The spiritual heart of Martell is the legendary Jean Martell Cellar, which houses Martell's rarest eaux-de-vie dating back to 1830. The history encased within these walls tells a story of Cognac over the centuries, with eaux-de-vie from both wars safely preserved here. The Jean Martell Cellar epitomises Martell’s timeless appeal to be enjoyed by past, present and future generations.
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  • The Art of Blending
  • Following the requisite ageing in the silence of the Martell cellars, the time comes for the final blending. Year after year, through the marriage of different crus and vintages, matching robustness with fullness, Martell Cellar Master Benoit Fil maintains the style of aspect, nose and taste developed over generations by his predecessors. Composing, assembling, balancing, he compares aromas and harmonises blends with all the arcane skills of an alchemist, taking care as he combines the eaux-de-vie always to retain the essential Borderies character. For every Martell cognac, Benoit creates a unique blend, sometimes marrying up to several hundred eaux-de-vie of different ages and crus, all the while preserving the peerless quality and character of the Martell style.
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  • The Cellar Master
  • Benoit Fil, Cellar Master for Martell, was destined for the role. Inheriting a strong interest in wine from his father, Benoit graduated in both agriculture and oenology before gaining invaluable experience in wine-making. He joined Martell in 2007 and is now the guardian of the renowned Martell style. His precocious talent and remarkable skills make him a perfect successor to the young man of resolutely independent spirit who arrived from Jersey in 1715 and founded the House of Martell at only 21.

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