Cover Martell has launched the limited-edition 60-year-old for Singapore's 60th birthday (Photo: Martell)
Martell has launched the limited-edition 60-year-old for Singapore's 60th birthday (Photo: Martell)
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To mark Singapore’s 60th birthday, Martell has unveiled the exclusive SG60 blend—an expression that captures the city’s freshness and vibrancy. Only 12 bottles have been crafted, available exclusively to members of Le Cercle by Pernod Ricard
Singapore and Martell have shared a long-standing bond since 1871, when the first shipment of cognac landed on this side of the world. 150 years later and that connection has never been stronger, with Martell embedding itself in many of our cultural celebrations—from reunion dinner meals that won’t be complete without a bottle of Martell XO, casual zi char suppers best had with a dram of Martell VSOP, to special milestones like birthdays and anniversaries that call for a Martell Cordon Bleu.
With Singapore turning 60 this year, it’s no surprise that Martell is commemorating the big SG60 with the launch of its limited-edition 60-year-old cognac. Aldrick Dehec, Martell’s master blender who worked on this exclusive bottle with cellar master Christophe Valtaud, tells us during his recent trip to Singapore that when they decided on this expression (their first exclusive release for the Singapore market) in March of this year, the goal was to capture the “freshness, vibrancy and vivacity that perfectly reflect Singapore’s atmosphere right now.”
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Above Martell's cellar master Christophe Valtaud (Photo: Stéphanie Blanchard)
Martell's cellar master Christophe Valtaud (Photo: Stéphanie Blanchard)
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To create a blend as “emblematic as Singapore itself”, Valtaud tapped into the finest and rarest eaux-de-vie from the Founder’s Reserve, the maison’s historic cellar which holds the most exceptional liquids chosen by generations of cellar masters. These liquids comprise only 2 per cent of the maison’s total stock and are only used for limited-edition releases like the L’Or de Jean Martell and the Zodiac editions. Through a rigorous nosing and tasting process by the blending team of seven, they chose a select few that made it into the cognac. “The key to this blend wasn’t the number of batches, but the rarity of and exclusivity of each eaux-de-vie,” declares Dehec, before letting on that the youngest eaux-de-vie from 1965 is 60 years old while the others are well over a century.
The main challenge in creating the 60-year-old cognac, adds Dehec, was “working with these very old, treasured eaux-de-vie while still maintaining that youthful freshness”. Indeed, Valtaud and his team have masterfully captured this in the exclusive release that unveils decadent aromas of wood, roasted nuts and warm spices—evoking the feeling of being in Martell’s storied cellars. Remarkably expressive for its age, the cognac remains fresh and vibrant, with delicate notes of green orchard fruits, subtle floral undertones and a lingering, complex finish.
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Above There are only 12 bottles of Martell's 60-year-old cognac, launched exclusively for SG60
Above The limited-edition Martell cognac is housed in a oak box with a gold detailing
There are only 12 bottles of Martell's 60-year-old cognac, launched exclusively for SG60
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Martell partnered with renowned crystal maker Baccarat to create a bespoke decanter, adorned with the Vanda Miss Joaquim, Singapore’s national flower, and intertwined with vines and grapes that pay homage to the vineyards of Cognac. Each bottle is housed in a handcrafted oak box, inlaid with gold-toned metal detailing that reflects the modern elegance of Singapore and the enduring artistry of Martell.
There are only 12 bottles available in Singapore—the number 12 was chosen because the number is “synonymous with perfection”, explains Dehec. Moreover, the limited releases are exclusively available to members of Le Cercle by Pernod Ricard, the private client society of Martell’s parent company.
Credits
Images: Martell
Dudi Aureus is the senior dining and travel editor at Tatler Singapore, covering the city’s most exciting restaurants, global travel trends, and the personalities shaping the culinary and lifestyle scenes. She also serves as co-jury chair for the Tatler Best awards in Singapore, celebrating the very best in hospitality. When she’s off duty, she can often be found at a favourite hole-in-the-wall Thai spot, savouring a perfectly balanced pad thai.
