Martell XO 700ml

Martell XO is an extra old Cognac from Martell, the house Jean Martell founded in Cognac in 1715. It blends eaux-de-vie from two crus, Grande Champagne and Borderies, and is bottled at 40% ABV in Martell’s arch-shaped 700ml bottle.

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The two crus pull in different directions, and that is the point of the blend. Grande Champagne, with its chalky soils, gives eaux-de-vie with power, finesse and the ability to age for a very long time. Borderies is the smallest of the Cognac crus and is known for rounder, nutty and floral eaux-de-vie that mature faster. Martell has a long association with Borderies, and it gives this XO its fuller, spicier character compared with houses that lean on the Champagne crus alone. Under Cognac rules, every eau-de-vie in an XO must spend at least 10 years in oak, so this is a properly aged spirit made for sipping rather than mixing. The arch shape of the bottle is Martell’s own design for the XO and makes it easy to spot on a shelf. Compared with Martell’s VSOP or Blue Swift, the XO is deeper, drier and more layered, and it is the bottle in the range to choose when you want something to linger over after a meal.

Martell describes its palate as built around fig, red fruit and blackcurrant bud, with the structure of Grande Champagne showing on a long finish.

Martell suggests drinking it neat, over ice or with a splash of water. Use a tulip glass or snifter and let it sit for a few minutes before sipping. After dinner it suits dark chocolate, roasted walnuts, dried figs or a hard aged cheese. It also makes a strong gift for a milestone birthday, a retirement or a thank you, and an opened bottle stays in good condition for months if it is sealed and kept upright out of the sun.