Martell Cordon Bleu is a classic favorite among cognac connoisseurs, it is one of the most popular expressions not only in the Martell range, but in the world of cognac. This legendary 80 proof XO offering is an “An explosion of deliciously fruited, spice notes.” With its trademark dark blue seal stamped with the Martell family crest, the Cordon Bleu is a timeless Borderies cognac blended with eaux-de-vie aged up to 25 years. It is bottled at 40% ABV.This Martell expression is characterized by its fruitiness. On the nose there are aromas of orchard fruits like crystallized plums and apples, and roasted notes of mocha coffee, toasted almonds, and vetiver. It has a Well-rounded mellow mouthfeel with a smooth sustained finish of fruit, spice notes, gingerbread and roasted cocoa beans.The Martell cognac house is the most longstanding of all the major cognac houses. For over three hundred years, this House has been passed down through generations. They pride themselves on their rich heritage and craftsmanship. Martell was founded in 1715 by Jean Martell, along the river Charente, at the very pinnacle of the French L’Art de Vivre. This French concept of “the art of living,” embodies the notion that one should elegantly embrace the richness of life. House Martell strives to capture this essence in their craft. Martell, a member of a prominent merchant family from the Jersey Channel, started what would become a rich legacy in the cognac industry. The young Briton began this journey as a broker, purchasing casks of Borderies cognac and wine and selling them in the Channel islands, Normandy, Picardy and Holland. Successive failures due to the economic climate at the time saw a great rise and fall of wine and cognac prices. But with Jean’s entrepreneurial spirit, and through profitable marriages into families of prominent cognac merchants, (particularily to Jeanne-Rachel Lallemand, “a direct descendant of Jacques Roux, a pioneering 17th century cognac merchant”), House Martell saw great success.In 1721, it is reported that they exported over 200,000 liters of signature blend to Great Britain alone. After Jean Martell’s death in 1753, the operation was taken over by his widow, his two sons, Jean and Frédéric, and his brother-in-law Louis Gabriel (brother of Jeanne-Rachel Lallemand), who further developed the house, transcendently expanding its influence. By the 19th century, Martell had established itself as the most prominent international exporter of cognac in the world, reaching as far as China and Japan.The Martell distillery uses grapes from the major cognac regions, predominantly Ugni Blanc (or Trebbiano) grapes from the Borderies vineyards, and ages its cognac in distinctive Tronçais oak casks. They use a double distillation method, with traditional "Charentais alembics" (pot stills). House Martell has full range of cognacs; a collection of 10 expressions. Most notably among them: their popular Martell Cordon Bleu created by Édouard Martell in 1912.“The preponderance of Borderies eaux-de-vie gives Martell Cordon Bleu an elegant, mellow and complex character.”