Martell unveils Les Remarquables: The world's most expensive cognac
Author: Kantinan Srisan | Photographer: Courtesy of Martell
Oct 18, 2024
“...It is widely recognised that premium cognac, wine, and whisky not only offer an extraordinary tasting experience but are also often regarded as priceless works of art. Much like renowned paintings, these fine spirits are celebrated for the beauty of their packaging, the meticulous ageing process, and the rare, valuable ingredients that go into their creation. Pernod Ricard Thailand has once again underscored this notion with the launch of Martell’s super-luxury collection, Les Remarquables De Martell, hailed as the most prestigious cognac in existence today…”
With a staggering price tag of €1 million or THB 37 million, Les Remarquables De Martell embodies excellence in every conceivable detail. From its packaging to its craftsmanship, no aspect has been left untouched. The cognac is encased in a Dame-Jeanne, a highly exclusive glass bottle, produced only once a year, and intricately decorated by master artisans. For this edition, Martell collaborated with French artist Laurentine Perilhou, an expert in Macramé, the art of intricate knotting by hand. Known for her previous creations with Haute Couture brands, Perilhou has brought her signature skill to the bottle’s decoration.
In this remarkable creation, Laurentine Perilhou has woven real gold thread from a Lyon-based factory in France into an elaborate design that mimics intricate vine tendrils. The bottle is adorned with three synthetic sapphires, representing the iconic blue hue of the Martell brand, alongside a diamond, all mounted on a 22-carat gold base. The craftsmanship is further enhanced with the addition of 300-year-old oak wood, hand-carved into gem-like shapes. This labour of love took over 800 hours to complete.
"My goal was to translate the intangible into something tangible... from the earth to the sun, from roots deep in the soil to the vine leaves reaching for the light"
Laurentine Perilhou
The unveiling of Les Remarquables De Martell in Thailand was marked by an exhibition celebrating this world-class masterpiece, alongside a Cognac Tasting Session. Guests were treated to a selection of Martell’s most renowned offerings, including Martell VS, Martell VSOP, Martell Cordon Bleu, Martell XO, and Martell XXO. A special highlight of the event was the presentation of L’Or de Jean Martell, a rare cognac produced in extremely limited quantities, with an impressive price of THB 210,000 per bottle, held at The Okura Prestige Bangkok.
The Les Remarquables De Martell collection owes much of its uniqueness to the expertise of Christophe Valtaud, a master in the art of blending fine cognac, and Martell’s Cellar Master. For this collection, Valtaud carefully selected two rare Eaux-de-vie, or cognac spirits, each aged for over 70 years from the Grande Champagne region, one of the most esteemed areas in Cognac. These spirits were aged in the historic Port du Fondateur, a cellar established by the sons of Jean Martell, the brand’s founder, in the 18th century. They were then preserved in the Réserve du Fondateur, a sacred space reserved exclusively for the rarest and most valuable Eaux-de-vie.
These two rare spirits have been expertly blended to create a truly unique taste that is impossible to replicate. The first Eau-de-vie, aged in oak barrels for decades, is distinguished by its powerful, intense flavour, with a long, lingering finish and pronounced notes of cedarwood. The second spirit, by contrast, exudes fresh, vibrant aromas of honey, white flowers, and sweet fruits, culminating in a perfect harmony of flavours. This blend marks the first and only time that such rare Eaux-de-vie have been combined by Martell’s Cellar Master.
For the fortunate individual who becomes the sole owner of this one-of-a-kind treasure, the experience does not end with the cognac itself. In addition to possessing the world’s most exquisite cognac, the owner will receive a custom-designed display cabinet, along with an array of exclusive accessories. These include Baccarat crystal glasses, a siphon for extracting the cognac from the Dame-Jeanne, a Montre bottle, and custom-embroidered white gloves – all crafted to elevate the drinking experience to unprecedented levels of luxury. The owner can further personalise their cognac by adding rare Eaux-de-vie to achieve a bespoke flavour profile.
Moreover, the owner, along with three special guests, will be treated to an exclusive experience at Maison Martell in both Paris and Cognac, France. This privileged visit offers an in-depth exploration of the world of cognac, art, and luxury, featuring private tastings and conversations with Christophe Valtaud and Laurentine Perilhou, bringing them closer to the artistry behind this remarkable cognac in a way few others will ever experience.
Also See: Glenfiddich unveils Grand Château with an exclusive dining experience curated by Mad Beef