From the Charente to the World
The story of Cognac begins in the 16th century, along the banks of the Charente River in western France. Merchants, mostly Dutch, came to trade salt and wine — but the wine didn’t travel well. So they began to distill it. Once. Then twice. And from that simple act of preservation, something extraordinary emerged.
By the 18th century, Cognac had become the drink of choice among European aristocracy. It was elegant but powerful. Refined, yet expressive. It was, and still is, French luxury in liquid form — not loud, but deeply confident.
Martell: The House That Shaped Cognac
No Cognac Day is complete without mentioning Martell — the oldest of the great Cognac houses, founded in 1715, right as Louis XIV’s reign was ending.
Martell stood apart early on. Where others chased volume, Martell focused on precision — sourcing from the Borderies cru, favoring light, aromatic eaux-de-vie, and using fine-grain Tronçais oak for aging.
Three centuries later, Martell is still setting the tone, offering Cognacs that are smooth, vibrant, and full of character. From the approachable Martell VS to the complex Cordon Bleu, Martell offers a range that speaks to both new drinkers and seasoned Cognac lovers alike. It’s also one of the only great Cognac houses to be part of Pernod Ricard, making it a natural fit for the Marriott community of bars and bartenders.
Cognac Behind the Bar — Then and Now
Though often seen as a spirit to sip, Cognac has deep roots in classic mixology. In fact, some of the earliest cocktails — the Sazerac, Sidecar, and even the original Mint Julep — were Cognac-based, before American whiskey took the spotlight.
Today, bartenders are bringing it back: not just as a nod to history, but because Cognac is delicious, versatile, and sophisticated without being stiff.
