Martell & Company names itself the “oldest cognac house” marking its founding in 1715 when Jean Martell built a distillery on the Charente River in Cognac of France. He traded in brandy as well as other products. Eventually, it gave itself exclusively to cognac production in 1815. It was eventually bought up by Seagrams and later sold to Pernod Ricard in 2001. They make a point of noting their ugni blanc grapes that form their eau-de-vie (un-aged distillate) are primarily from the Borderies region, which they believe gives their spirit a distinctive characteristic and flavor. It is distilled in copper pot stills and aged in fine-grained oak and aged in their “historic” cellars. There is even a “Jean Martell Cellar” that stores cognac from as far back as 1830. This large store of hundreds of cognacs allows them wide latitude in blending for quality and consistency.

Martell VS Cognac (or “very special”) was first released as a 3-star cognac 150 years ago. It is aged the lightest of any of their expressions and considered their entry-level spirit. They call it “balanced” and intended for cocktails.