Martell Xo Cognac with Gift Box, 700ml

Product Information

Cognac is a blend of spirits that is only produced in the Cognac region in France, but unlike wine, it is legally required to undergo a double distillation process and then aged in oak barrels for a number of years.

Going deeper into the gastronomic side of things, Martell XO provides some interesting pairings with rich foods such as aged cheeses like camembert and cheddar, and creamy sauces. You might recognize the Martell XO for the exclusive Martell: Wings film campaign that was launched for the Cognac by James Gray. By taking the “swift” emblem of Martell, he pays tribute to the heritage of this maison. History of MartellLook also for representations of the swift, a bird famed for flying far and fast, soaring over land and sea, and knowing no frontiers. Emblematic of Martell, it symbolises the House’s spirit of audacity and freedom. Public-service organisation responsible for looking after the interests of cognac and all related activities. VSOP stands for “Very Superior Old Pale”: VSOP cognacs are created from eaux-de-vie aged for at least four years. The VSOP category includes designations such as “Old” or “Reserve”. Martell is one of the oldest great cognac houses in the world, with a legacy of more than 300 years since 1715. Founded by Jean Martell from Jersey, Martell boasts a grand heritage of well-kept cellars and soulful craftsmanship that has been passed from hand to hand for generations. What is Martell XO made of? VS stands for “Very Special”: only eaux-de-vie at least two years old can be used to make a VS cognac. Other denominators and expressions are permitted, such as “3 stars” or “luxury”, and as such are included in the VS cognac category.

Martell XO is double distilled from grapes grown in the Grand Champagne terroir of the Charente region in France and aged for a minimum of 10 years in oak casks. Incidentally, the reason these abbreviations are in English is because cognac has been exported for many years and the first importers spoke English. VS, VSOP and XO refer to the age and quality of the cognac. Each corresponds to how long the brandy has been aged in oak barrels. In 1983, following a request by the BNIC (Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac)*, the French government drafted regulations governing the terms used to describe a cognacs’ quality. These designations, which may be included on the label, refer to the age of the youngest eau-de-vie used in making the cognac.XO stands for “Extra Old”: XO cognacs are made only from eaux-de-vie at least ten years old. Cognacs such as “Napoleon” or “Old Reserve” are equivalent to XO cognac. Introduced in 2005, Martell XO is a distinct blend from the house of Martell with 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) and an intense yet powerful flavour profile that carries the taste of audacious tradition.