The ultimate expression of the oldest cognac house is the sumptuous craftsmanship from the quintessence of three-hundred-year quest.
L’Or de Jean Martell (literally means “the gold of Jean Martell in French) is a blend of a plethora of eau-de-vie (waters of life) from Borderies, the smallest growing region in Cognac. The blend has notes of fruited candy, sweet spices and gingerbread. Some of the ingredients in the making process have aged over a century. These hidden treasures contributed to the presence of L’Or de Jean Martell, the unique and absolute art of Martell. No less importantly, this exquisite product is the fruit of successive generations of cellar masters where every step of the cognac production is carried out through the insistence on perfection.
Jean Martell, the eponymous founder of the House of Martell once said in 1721, “Our eau-de-vie are renowned as the best in the Kingdom. His saying has ever since driven the firm to progressively striving to hone its expertise and know-how throughout Martell’s 300-year history.
“Since its founding in 1715, the House of Martell applies its principles based on the motto of Jean Martell, ‘quality is the firm’s weapon in the pursuit of perfection’. And L’Or de Jean Martell is the culmination of our historical innovations,” Heritage Director Jacques Menier says.This ultra premium cognac started entering Indonesian and Singaporean market end of 2010, even though the product was first launched in French in 2008 and in the United States in 2009.
Met by PMR during an exquisite launch at a Jakarta’s premium hotel, Menier, who is the third generation of the House of Martell, is convinced that L’Or de Jean Martell will win the hearts of Indonesia’s crème de la crème. “And ladies with no exception!”
Menier was in Jakarta presenting this fine piece of cognac for the first time in Indonesia in October 2010. On his another short visit to Jakarta in February 2011, he was surprised to see how the L’Or had captured an outstanding market among Indonesia’s high society. “It’s beyond what we expected. It’s truly amazing how these distinguished Indonesians start appreciating fine spirit as an art of living.”Indeed, L’Or de Jean Martell is an ultimate cognac that brings together two delicacies, a double distillation of the clearest eaux-de-vie and a lengthy maturation in fine grain oak barrels, Menier adds. “The double distillation sophisticatedly combines the four finest growths such as Grande Champagne, Petite Champage, the Fins Bois and Borderies.”
The fruited notes such as candied orange and prune are the first to emerge, followed by sweet spices of cinnamon and cumin as well as gingerbread when tasting the L’Or. “Swirling the L’Or in your glass and it will release mature notes of dried fruits such as almond and walnut. The taste fits not only men, but women alike. In French, more and more ladies favour L’Or de Jean Martell to be paired with a sumptuous dinner.”
He adds that in Cognac, the cellars where the oldest spirits are stored traditionally named “Paradise”. The Paradise cellar at Martell is called “Chai Jean Martell” (Jean Martell Cellar). “The Martell’s secret cellar stores rare spirits, some of which date back to early 1800s. Chai Jean Martell is regarded as ‘holy of holies’. Only few can access and the place is entered with the greatest respect and humility. It is from here that our cellar master draws some of the eau-de-vie for the making of L’Or de Jean Martell,” Menier explains.
Being the oldest cognac house, Martell has staggering records the production of great cognac products enjoyed throughout the world. And the gold of Jean Martell is unquestionably the finest one. Even its design and decanter’s handcrafted characterise a delightful beauty to behold.
The decanter of this fine cognac is made up of Cristal de Sevres, the finest crystal of its class. Carrying the subtle French classical style, the decanter is exquisitely hand blown. The contemporary curves on L’Or de Jean Martell are embellished with gilded garlands.
Only produced in limited quantity, each bottle carries a price tag of US$ 3,600. In Indonesia, this exceptional L’Or is priced around US$5,500.
By Aulia R. Sungkar. Published in the 10th edition of PMR S’pore, 2011.