The oldest of the great cognac houses, Martell celebrates landmark 300th anniversary with the release of Martell Premier Voyage, encased in a stunning artwork designed exclusively by French artist, Bernar Venet.<\/p>\n
Martell Cognac has today announced the launch of a limited edition new blend in recognition of the brand\u2019s 300th anniversary next year.<\/p>\n
In celebration of the House\u2019s Tricentenary, Cellar Master, Beno\u00eet Fil returned to Martell\u2019s roots to create Martell Premier Voyage; a unique new blend containing 18 eaux-de-vie from Martell\u2019s cellars.<\/p>\n
Using Jean Martell\u2019s original correspondence, Fil pieced together a map of Jean Martell\u2019s key suppliers from 1735-1742, and began to retrace his footsteps 300 years on. Visiting winegrowers just as Jean Martell did generations before him, Fil sampled eaux-de-vie and met with the winegrowing families whose ancestors had originally supplied the brand\u2019s founder. After crafting the blend and then ageing in barrels made from the oak of a 300 year-old tree, Martell Premier Voyage was born; an exceptional and distinctive new blend, and the perfect homage to Jean Martell.<\/p>\n
Beno\u00eet Fil, Martell\u2019s Cellar Master and creator of Martell Premier Voyage commented: \u201cThe desire was to create a blend that reflected the journey and history of Jean Martell. We had access in our archives to the exact geographical locations that he went to. Therefore, we were able to visit the descendants of these winegrowers who today create the best quality eaux-de-vie. Martell Premier Voyage takes the best things from the past of Cognac and Jean Martell\u2019s vision, and makes them something that we can enjoy today. This new blend truly captures three centuries of Martell turning cognac into art.\u201d<\/p>\n
The nose initially presents very generous notes of candied orange peel, blackcurrant, honey and gingerbread. Swirling brings out its full elegance and reveals subtle notes of old walnuts combined with generous notes of dried fruit, apricots and raisins. On the palate the attack is both full and delicate, with generous aromas of candied fruit still discernible. Martell Premier Voyage then develops a hint of blackcurrant, providing a perfect complement to a very rich and elegant aromatic range and underpinning a long finish in which notes of spice and beeswax come to the forefront.<\/p>\n
Recognising the discerning tastes of the Martell connoisseur, world-renowned French conceptual artist Bernar Venet was invited to lend his distinctive, minimalist style by creating a stunning artwork in which to house the precious cognac. Venet\u2019s timeless design comprises metal arcs which are divided into three clusters, evoking the 300 year anniversary, which shelter a simple and elegant teardrop-shaped S\u00e8vres crystal decanter. The striking juxtaposition between the serenely flowing shape of the bottle and the powerful energy and aged appearance emanating from the COR-TEN\u00ae steel arcs demonstrates the union between tradition and modern visionary spirit. The blend can only be drawn from the sculpture with a fusil; a special pipette used by the Cellar Master to extract and taste eaux-de-vie from the barrels.<\/p>\n
Bernar Venet, creator of the Martell Premier Voyage decanter said of the collaboration: \u201cIt was a pleasure to work with a house with such history, such passion and such vision. I am proud to be associated with a brand with a heritage as strong as Martell\u2019s. I was inspired by the date 1715, as the year that Louis XIV died and this great cognac house was born. I have in the past created a sculpture around a statue of Louis XIV, and I wanted a sense of continuity with my work. The arches in the work represent this continuity, and a sense of time. The three arc clusters represent the three centuries that we are celebrating. There are so many parallels between Versailles, the birthplace of Art De Vivre, and Martell and with what I do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Only 300 pieces of this exceptionally limited edition blend will be available worldwide. Each will be individually signed, numbered and produced to order, encapsulating the excellence and creativity for which the House of Martell stands. Martell Premier Voyage is priced at \u20ac10,000 EUR. A registration list is now open and accepting enquiries. Please go to premiervoyage.martell.com<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"Martell](\"https:\/\/www.dutyfreehunter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/513889375BD00083_Martell_Pr-1024x667.jpg\")