Where is Martell From, and what is its history?

The oldest of the great Cognac houses, located in Cognac, France, on the Charente River, Martell has built a legacy of courage and passion for 300 years. From Jean Martell’s first quest for the world’s finest Eaux-de-vie to the 2017 release of Martell’s groundbreaking Blue Swift, the courage of a great Cognac house never rests.

History

Martell was founded in 1715 by Jean Martell. It is the oldest of the “great four” cognac houses (others include Courvoisier, Hennessy, and Rémy Martin). These four together produce most of the world’s cognac. Previously owned by the Seagram spirits empire, Martell is now part of the Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët (MMPJ). A subsidiary of the French spirits and wines conglomerate Pernod Ricard.

After Jean Martell’s demise in 1753, his widow Rachel Martell took over Maison Martell, promising to sustain his integrity and vision. According to an unbending philosophy, she managed the Cognac house: ‘I want only the best, without artifice.’

In 1783, Martell became the pioneer Maison to ship cognac to the United States of America. The Treaty of Paris recognized the United States of America’s independence, and the first shipment of Martell cognac made its way to US shores. A total of 87 units of Martell Eaux-de-vie.

In 1831, Martell Cognac was granted an exceptional import license by King George III to be imported into England during the continental blockade. Eighty years later, Martell cognac would be served at the coronation of King George V of England.

Introduced in 1912, Martell’s flagship Cordon Bleu was, for many years, the world’s top-selling premium cognac. By 1936, the Cordon Bleu would be served on the maiden voyage of the Queen Mary, the world’s most luxurious transoceanic liner.

During her first visit to France in 1957, her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was presented with a crystal carafe of Martell Cordon Bleu by the French President.

In 2006, Maison Martell joined the prestigious Comité Colbert, the association representing French luxury brands internationally through the promotion of French Art de Vivre.

By 2015, over 14 million bottles of Martell Cognac were produced yearly, making it the world’s second-largest cognac producer after Hennessy.

In 2016, Martell celebrated this history with another first: Martell Blue Swift. This became the first-ever spirit drink made of cognac VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) and then finished in bourbon casks.