Setting New Standards

The glimmer of gold, the allure of luxury, and the sophistication of an exclusive spirit. Martell, the renowned cognac house, has unveiled a limited edition of its exquisite L’Or Réserve du Château de Chanteloup in the United States. But the real talk of the town is an even rarer gem: Les Remarquables de Martell. This single bottle of cognac is expected to fetch an astounding one million euros, or nearly $1.1 million, potentially making it one of the most expensive cognacs ever produced, rivaling the legendary Henri IV Dudognon Heritage bottle, which sold for almost $2 million in 2008. The value of a single bottle of cognac can be quite subjective, influenced heavily by exclusivity and craftsmanship.

Les Remarquables de Martell stands out due to its exceptional heritage and meticulous production. Crafted by cellar master Christophe Valtaud, this unique blend combines two rare eaux-de-vie from the Grande Champagne cru, each distilled over 70 years ago. These precious spirits were initially aged in the historic cellar of Port du Lys, a cellar dating back to the 1700s, before being transferred to the prestigious Réserve du Fondateur of the Martell house.

The first eau-de-vie in this blend is slightly older, offering complex cedar notes and an intense, lingering finish. The second complements it perfectly, creating a harmonious balance that speaks to Martell’s dedication to excellence. The result is a cognac that exudes power, tension, and extraordinary length on the palate. A cognac of such prestige deserves an equally remarkable presentation. Les Remarquables de Martell is encased in a stunning artistic reproduction of a dame-Jeanne, the traditional glass demijohn used for cognac storage. Laurentine Perilhou, celebrated for her macrame artistry, adorned the bottle with gold thread, symbolizing the journey of the vine from its roots to the sun-drenched grapes. “From the Earth to the Sun, from the roots in the soil to the vine leaves turned upwards to the light,” she explained, “I aimed to make the invisible visible.”