Martell Cordon Bleu 750ML is a landmark cognac blending eaux-de-vie aged 10 to 25 years, bottled at 40% ABV in a 750ml presentation. First created in 1912, this expression earned a Double Gold Medal at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and remains one of the most recognized cognacs in the world, distinguished by its unusually high proportion of Borderies eaux-de-vie. Quick Facts: ABV: 40% | Origin: Cognac, France | Blend of 10–25 Year Eaux-de-Vie | Distillery: Martell (est. 1715) Production & Heritage Martell, founded in 1715 by Jean Martell, is the oldest of the major cognac houses. The house stands apart by exclusively distilling clear wines — all lees are removed before the liquid enters the traditional copper Charentais pot stills for double distillation, a practice no other major cognac producer follows. This yields a notably refined, elegant spirit rather than the heavier, more vinous character that lees-inclusive distillation can produce. Cordon Bleu's blend draws over 50% of its eaux-de-vie from the small Borderies cru, prized for its round, nutty, and floral character. Martell reportedly accounts for roughly half of all Borderies grape production, giving the house unmatched access to this sought-after terroir. The component eaux-de-vie, sourced from Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano) grapes grown across the Charente and Charente-Maritime regions, are aged between 10 and 25 years before blending. Tasting Notes Aroma: The nose opens with vibrant candied plum and crystallized apple before giving way to roasted mocha coffee and toasted almonds. Deeper inhalation reveals vetiver, violet blossom, and a thread of warm cinnamon that ties the fruit and roast notes together. Taste: The entry is velvety and immediate, leading with candied orange and gingerbread spice across the front palate. At mid-palate, clove and sweet baking spices emerge alongside richer notes of roasted cocoa beans, while the Borderies influence contributes a distinctive rounded nuttiness. The overall mouthfeel is mellow and full without ever becoming heavy. Finish: The finish is sustained and well-balanced, with lingering layers of candied fruit, toasted almond, and gentle oak. A final whisper of ginger and cocoa keeps the palate engaged well after the last sip. How to Drink Cordon Bleu Neat in a tulip glass at room temperature is the most rewarding way to experience Cordon Bleu's layered complexity; a few drops of water can open up the more subtle floral and spice aromatics. In cocktails, the Sidecar is a natural match — the cognac's candied fruit and spice amplify the orange liqueur and citrus components. A Vieux Carré benefits from Cordon Bleu's roasted depth and velvety body, adding richness against the rye and sweet vermouth. For a simpler serve, a Cognac Highball with quality ginger ale highlights the gingerbread and citrus notes while keeping the drink refreshing. Best For Gifting a cognac enthusiast something with genuine heritage and critical acclaim After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a fine cigar Anchoring a home bar with a versatile, cocktail-capable aged cognac Celebrating a milestone occasion where the bottle's legacy adds significance Frequently Asked Questions What does Cordon Bleu taste like? Cordon Bleu delivers a rich, rounded profile of candied plum, mocha coffee, toasted almonds, and warm baking spices like cinnamon and clove. The mouthfeel is velvety with a sustained finish of cocoa, gingerbread, and gentle oak. How does Cordon Bleu compare to Hennessy XO? Hennessy XO tends toward darker, more tannic oak and dried fruit character from its longer minimum aging, while Cordon Bleu leans into the round, nutty elegance driven by its dominant Borderies eaux-de-vie and clear-wine distillation. Cordon Bleu typically sits at a lower price point than Hennessy XO despite offering comparable complexity, which many drinkers consider a significant value advantage. Is Cordon Bleu good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its velvety texture, layered aromatics, and sustained finish make it one of the more rewarding cognacs to drink neat, particularly at this price tier. A tulip-shaped glass at room temperature allows the full range of fruit, roast, and spice notes to develop. Where is Cordon Bleu made? Cordon Bleu is produced at the Martell distillery in the town of Cognac in southwestern France, using Ugni Blanc grapes sourced primarily from the Borderies, Grande Champagne, and Petite Champagne crus within the Charente and Charente-Maritime departments. What foods pair well with Cordon Bleu? Dark chocolate truffles complement the mocha and cocoa notes; tarte Tatin or apple-based pastries echo the crystallized fruit character; roasted duck with a plum glaze mirrors the candied stone fruit; aged Comté cheese highlights the nutty Borderies backbone; and spiced gingerbread creates a direct pairing with the cognac's warm baking spice profile. What sizes does Cordon Bleu come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, and Martell also produces Cordon Bleu in 1L and 350ml formats depending on market availability. Is Cordon Bleu worth the price? Cordon Bleu positions as a premium cognac that competes directly with XO-tier expressions from other major houses, yet it often sits below them in price, making it one of the stronger values in aged cognac. Its multiple Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and over a century of continuous production reinforce its standing in the category. Why Cordon Bleu? No other widely available cognac commits this heavily to the Borderies cru — over 50% of the blend comes from a region that represents only a small fraction of total cognac vineyard acreage. That Borderies dominance, combined with Martell's exclusive clear-wine distillation method, produces a cognac with a distinctly smooth, nutty, and elegant character that stands apart from the richer, more tannic profiles common in the category. The expression has earned Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in both 2005, 2012, and 2016, plus an IWSC Gold Medal, confirming its consistency across vintages and blends. For anyone seeking a cognac that balances genuine complexity with approachable drinkability — and that has done so continuously since 1912 — Cordon Bleu remains a benchmark.
