Martell V.S. Fine CognacJan 15 '02 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line One of the finest V.S. Cognacs on the market.
I must express some amazement that one of the most important names in Cognac is not listed in Epinions' database of Spirits: Martell. How can this be? This is a world-famous brand. So, then, I am relegated to post my opinion about one of this maker's products in an obscure, hidden category here at Epinions: "How To Choose Brandy." (There is not separate category for Cognac.) I suppose I could post in "How To Choose Eaux de Vie," (a pure fruit distillate). In Cognac, France, grapes are used to produce a wine that is then distilled into a Eaux de Vie. This product can then be blended with other batches (Hennessy V.S., for example, is made from a blend of over 40 individual eaux-de-vie.) But, I suspect that this category is better suited for Eaux de Vie spirits made with apple, blackcurrant, elderberry, pear, raspberry, strawberry, or other fruits. -- So... on with the review: Martell is a famous name in French Cognac, and has been producing Cognac since 1715, well before other highly respected houses such as Courvoisier (late 1700's), Hennessy (1765), Remy Martin (1724), or Salignac (1802). On numerous occasion, I've had the pleasure of drinking Martell's V.S.O.P. (a Very Superior Old Pale, or 5-Star Cognac that has been aged for 10-to-12 years) as well as its Cordon Bleu Cognac -- aged 25-to-30 years, a great tasting Cognac and -- at about $90/bottle -- one that is usually priced less than Remy Martin's X.O. Excel ($110) or Hennessy's X.O. (about $100). One of Martell's offerings that I don't often try -- but one that I find to be an excellent performer in its class and price range -- is its original Cognac blend and its price leader: Martell V.S. Fine Cognac. Martell V.S. Fine Cognac -------------------------------------------------- Martell's V.S. offering is the company's "original" Cognac blend. It is an 80-Proof (40% alcohol by volume) Cognac that has been aged between 5-to-7 years. (French law requires 3-star, or Very Special, Cognac to be aged a minimum of 2-1/2 years.) Martell V.S. is made from a blend of Eaux de Vie from four prime producing regions in France's Cognac appellation: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies and Fins Bois. Color: Bright Copper Nose: Sweet, nutty and woody; a trace of violet flowers. Taste: Smooth entry, good fruit expression, some toasted wood, vanilla, and light nut flavors. Not heavy and oily with the cashew-nut fatness I found in Hennessy's V.S.; this one leans towards having a kind of Pistachio nut flavor. A slight burn at mid-palate, but ending smoothly and slightly sweet. Overall Impression: nicely balanced; firm body from start to finish; not unpleasantly woody; has a slight bit of heat but is quite palatable. Price and Availability -------------------------------------------------- I purchased a 200 ml bottle of this Cognac at a local liquor store. Price: $7.99 (per 200 ml bottle). At Beverages and More (bevmo.com), this Cognac retails for about $24 per 750 bottle. Imported to the U.S.A. by Martell & Co., New York, New York. Available at most fine liquor retailers worldwide. Recommendations -------------------------------------------------- Martell V.S. Cognac is fine as an after dinner drink or digestive, but I personally prefer it as an accompaniment with cigars. I had a glass of this very nice, very affordable Cognac with a Montecristo Corona Grande cigar last night. I didn't deserve the pleasure... but I took it, anyway. Pros: Somewhat inexpensive, widely available, a good 3-star Cognac. Cons: None really. One of the finest V.S. offerings on the market. Verdict: 4-stars. I prefer it over Hennessy's V.S.  |
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