Martell Cordon Bleu XO Cognac 700mL

The Borderies is the smallest and most exclusive of Cognac's six crus, representing only 4% of the entire Cognac region. Grapes from this terroir are prized for their unique ability to produce eaux-de-vie with exceptional roundness and a distinctive nutty character that develops beautifully during ageing. Martell's high proportion of Borderies grapes gives this XO its signature depth and creates flavour profiles that are impossible to replicate with grapes from other crus.

Serve this XO neat in a tulip-shaped snifter at room temperature, allowing the glass to warm naturally in your hands to release the aromatic compounds. The medium-bodied profile and complex fruit and nut characteristics make it perfect for contemplative sipping after dinner. You can also add a few drops of room temperature water to open up the flavours further, which is a technique used by master blenders to reveal hidden nuances in premium cognacs.

Winning gold medals across four major international competitions - including the prestigious International Spirits Challenge and San Francisco World Spirits Competition - demonstrates exceptional consistency and craftsmanship. These competitions feature blind tastings by expert panels, meaning the cognac succeeded purely on merit against hundreds of other entries. The fact that it achieved gold status across different judging panels and tasting methodologies confirms its world-class quality and balanced flavour profile.

You'll discover a harmonious blend of fresh apple notes that provide brightness, complemented by rich nutty characteristics from the prized Borderies grapes. The stewed fruit flavours add warmth and complexity, creating layers that unfold gradually on the palate. This combination reflects the careful selection of eaux-de-vie and extended ageing process, where the spirit develops these concentrated fruit and nut profiles while maintaining the elegant balance that Martell is renowned for.

While this XO cognac is certainly premium enough to enjoy neat, its well-balanced medium body and complex fruit profile make it excellent for elevated cocktails like a Sidecar or Cognac Old Fashioned. The apple and stewed fruit notes work beautifully with citrus and bitters, while the nutty Borderies character adds sophistication to mixed drinks. However, given its award-winning quality and unique terroir expression, many connoisseurs prefer to savour it straight to fully appreciate the craftsmanship.