Martell’s Intense Heat Cask Finish is a brilliant rediscovery of the iconic Cordon Bleu cognac

Beneath Martell’s 301-year-old history of producing some of the world’s finest cognac, lies a curious, innovative spirit that transcends through the centuries.

The exploration continues this year with the remake of an all-time classic from the House of Martell – the new Martell Cordon Bleu Limited Edition Intense Heat Cask Finish. It’s a rediscovery of the iconic Martell Cordon Bleu cognac, where an unusual technique is used to produce more intense tasting notes.

 

Why ‘Intense Heat’?

Martell’s newly appointed cellar master, Christophe Valtaud, a man they say was ‘born in the cellar’ in Cognac itself, explains that ‘Intense Heat’ comes from the process of lightly toasting the oak barrels from the inside. The wood is burned from the inside for a little longer – never for too long - to complete the second part of the ageing. This longer ‘Bousinage’ technique gives the cognac even more flavour - a woody, toasted, smokey note connoisseurs will find particularly inviting in addition to the unmistakeable taste of the Cordon Bleu.

“The notes are enhanced, but you can recognise the Cordon Bleu perfectly well,” says Valtaud.

Martell Cordon Bleu was first introduced by Edouard Martell in 1912, a complex blend of over 150 eau-de-vie aged between 10 to 25 years.

Valtaud sees the limited edition Intense Heat cognac as the embodiment of Martell’s spirit of curiosity. “It redefines the conventions of cognac and offers connoisseurs in Asia yet another truly unique taste experience.”

 

Martell’s new cellar master, Christophe Valtaud

 

The Intensity of the taste

“When I pick up my glass and smell it, I first pick up the scent of fruits – candied apples, orange peel, and vanilla,” says Valtaud, who also explains that different connoisseurs – like all tasting experiences – will be drawn to different aromas at first.

The full-bodied, candied-fruit notes of apple, apricot and bush peach are framed by honey and a slight hint of brioche. The fruitiness then gives way to a distinguishable aroma of almond and roasted nuts that are accentuated by the intense heat finish. Swirling your glass, you transition into more pronounced scents of spices, gingerbread and nuts.

Taking your first sip, the attack is balanced and generous with candied flavours. Vanilla and woody notes are even more enhanced, more spiced.

When the intensity lingers, you will finally be greeted by the long-lasting taste of mocha and roasted coffee notes.

“This is the difference between the Cordon Bleu and the Cordon Bleu Intense Heat,” says Valtaud. “I love it, it’s extremely interesting.”

 

The immersive experience of the Intense Heat includes the reinvention of the iconic Cordon Bleu bottle design, mixing a burnt-wood and embossed effect with innovative thermochromic inks, which turn fiery red when rubbed.

The obsession to innovate

“We innovate all the time,” Cognac and Champagne brand ambassador Pierre Boyer tells us in an interview. “There are so many ways of innovating as a cognac producer. We make new products, new notes, try different types of ageing like what we did with the Intense Heat Cordon Bleu.”

 

“Innovation is an obsession Martell has. At the core of it, we stick to our legacy and maintain Martell’s quality throughout the years. At the same time, we’re innovating new cognacs, new aromas to reach new consumers,” adds Boyer.

 

Martell’s heritage dates back to the 18th Century, when Jean Martell, a native of Jersey founded the company in 1715, making Martell the oldest of the great cognac houses. Since 1715 Martell has produced, exported and marketed cognacs whose quality is recognised worldwide.

 
The hallmark of the house of Martell can be summarised in three key terms: elegance, complexity and balance. Martell Cognac was founded at the height of the French Art de Vivre movement; a period of time in which gastronomy, tasting and craftsmanship were all celebrated and enjoyed with style. As such, these became the three pillars of the Martell House and are the three core areas which still remain intrinsic to Martell’s vision today.
 

 

The Martell Cordon Bleu Limited Edition Intense Heat Cask Finish is available in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong.

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