Behind The Curtain: An Exclusive Tasting of The Martell Centenary 1921

Words by Zue Wei Leong

December 28, 2021

Tatler House was completely transformed to curate a grandiose and experiential journey through time with the ultra-rare 100-year-old cognac

One of the oldest cognac houses in existence, Martell is committed to honouring its legacy of offering only the finest eaux-de-vie. From the Martell VSOP to the release of the trailblazing Blue Swift, the French cognac house has stayed true to their craft and expertise while innovating with passion and audacity to give the world a true taste of excellence.

And the Martell Centenary 1921 is no different. With only 70 bottles available worldwide, cellar master Christophe Valtaud captures the historic singularity of the release: "I wish the greatest pleasure to the cognac connoisseurs who will have the chance to taste this 100-year-old cognac with their loved ones. It is a rare moment of sharing.”

To mark the unveiling of this historic collection, Martell and Tatler hosted an exclusive cognac tasting at Tatler House in The Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur.

Take a look behind the curtain of this luxurious private event.

Above Jean-Baptiste Gourvil

The guests were welcomed by Martell brand ambassador Jean-Baptiste Gourvil and offered a selection of Martell VSOP cocktails specially made for the night: Classy Swift and Tropical Swift.

The charismatic Frenchman began by sharing the captivating story about the founder of Martell and his 300-year-old legacy before unveiling the Martell Centenary 1921.

Jen Tang and Kenny Ng

The Martell Centenary 1921

Guests were invited to peruse the display of bottles of timeless classics alongside a rare collectible presented in a stunning Baccarat crystal carafe enhanced by an inlaid wood setting and topped with a crystal stopper engraved with a hand-painted Martell shield.

As part of the impactful introduction, they were joined virtually by heritage director Jacques Menier and brand education ambassador Alexandre Combescot de Marsaguet, who provided an in-depth analysis of the Martell Centenary 1921, from the blending and ageing process to its unique flavour profile. During this educational conversation, they also answered questions from the guests and imparted advice on the best ways to appreciate and savour Martell's exquisite cognacs.

Ong Chang Jeh, Edmund Low

Michael Jopp

Ngoi Poh Lin, Celina Chang, and Gerrie Beh

From there, guests were treated to a tasting of Martell's best cognacs including the Martell Chanteloup XXO as well as a specially prepared menu, starting with a freshly opened oyster infused with Martell VSOP aged in red barrels and followed by spectacular courses of truffle tortellini, deer loin and decadent chocolate tart, each paired with the perfect Martell cognac for the ultimate sensorial experience.

Benny Tsang, Kenny Ng and Simon Wong

Thomas Chang, Eszter Krisztina, and Michael Jopp

Martell Chanteloup XXO

Martell Chanteloup XXO

To commemorate the unforgettable night, guests were also given an opportunity to personalise their very own bottle of Martell Chanteloup XXO.

(Back row) Jean-Baptiste Gourvil, Suraya Rahmat, Shida Mahadi, Simon Wong, Edmund Low, Ong Chang Jeh, Kenny Ng, Michael Jopp, and Thomas Chang (Front row) Ngoi Poh Lin, Gerrie Beh, Benny Tsang, Jen Tang, Celina Chang, and Eszter Krisztina