What is cognac?

Cognac is an amber-coloured alcoholic drink, made in the wine growing regions of Charente and Charente-Maritime surrounding the town of Cognac, France. It is made from distilling white wine to create eau-de-vie, aging it in oak barrels for a minimum of two years and then blending different eaux-de-vie to create a specific flavour.

The Cognac region is divided into six zones, called ‘crus’ – Borderies, Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Fins Bois, Bon Bois and Bois Ordinaire. Cognac is a type of brandy, but earns its name following very strict production methods.

For more detail on cognac and how it is made at Martell, see our craftsmanship section.