Maison Martell presents the Zodiac Edition, the first limited edition of L’Or de Jean Martell, its most premium cognac. L’Or de Jean Martell is a powerful symbol of the legacy of savoir-faire, handed down through eight generations of Martell Cellar Masters. Inspired by the Chinese Zodiac, the Zodiac Edition is a tribute to the art of blending, which has been perpetuated by Maison Martell since it was founded in 1715.

In celebration of the Chinese New Year, the Martell will unveil an exclusive, individually numbered collection every year, evoking the character of the year’s zodiac animal. The prestigious collection starts in 2022 with L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition – Assemblage du Tigre, a rich and complex cognac to mark the Year of the Tiger in 2022, available in an edition of just 700 decanters, priced at 8,000 euros each.

With a blend of more than 700 rare and precious eaux-de-vie, L’Or de Jean Martell is the most remarkable of Martell’s cognacs and a powerful symbol of the legacy of the House. It also represents the ultimate expression of the Martell art of blending, which consists in combining the complementary qualities of individual eaux-de-vie to attain perfect harmony. This immense legacy of savoir-faire inspired the current Martell Cellar Master Christophe Valtaud to create the Zodiac Edition. This exceptional blend, a testament to his expertise, not only retains the complex aromatic profile of L’Or de Jean Martell, but also enriches it with a further selection of vintage eaux-de-vie.

To mark the Chinese New Year, Maison Martell will unveil a cognac every year, reflecting the personality of that year’s zodiac animal, starting with the Year of the Tiger in 2022.  In order to create L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition – Assemblage du Tigre, Christophe Valtaud selected eight eaux-de-vie from past Years of the Tiger and from the three most prestigious Cognac terroirs. Combined with the original blend, they preserve its elegance, richness and power, while adding the energy and intensity associated with the tiger.

Borderies eaux-de-vie were chosen to accentuate the richness of the original blend of L’Or de Jean Martell, while Petite Champagne and Grande Champagne add vivacity.As a result, the new cognac has a more vivid attack, and an even greater aromatic intensity, while its exceptional length on the palate is marked by pronounced notes of red fruit and wood.

The Zodiac Edition is presented in the magnificent crystal carafe of L’Or de Jean Martell, exquisitely decorated with a gold filigree motif evoking the year’s zodiac animal. To make this numbered edition truly exceptional, Maison Martell partnered with Manufacture Daum, the renowned French crystal manufacturer whose tradition of savoir-faire mirrors its own. Manufacture Daum crafted the stopper of the carafe in amber-hued pâte de cristal to represent a tiger. Each piece is unique and individually signed, requiring countless hours of painstaking work by the manufacture’s skilled artisans.

With L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition, Maison Martell showcases an audacious interpretation of its most exceptional cognac, while respecting its aromatic identity.

Visual credits: Martell