Martell Cordon Bleu Grand Classic Cognac
Martell Cordon Bleu Grand Classic Cognac is the 1L presentation of Martell's emblematic XO — 40% ABV (80 proof), a blend of more than 100 eaux-de-vie led by the prized Borderies cru, created in 1912 by Edouard Martell for the house founded in 1715. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 1L
- Classification: XO cognac ("Grand Classic" / "Extra Old" labelling)
- Blend: More than 100 eaux-de-vie, Borderies predominant
- House method: Only clear wines distilled (lees removed), aged in fine-grain oak
- Origin: Cognac, France (Martell, founded 1715)
The Blue Ribbon of Cognac, Since 1912
Cordon Bleu — named for the blue ribbon as an emblem of excellence — is the blend Edouard Martell, great-grandson of founder Jean Martell, created in 1912, and it remains the house's reference point. Its signature is the Borderies, the smallest and oldest cru of the Cognac region, whose eaux-de-vie give the blend its round, candied-fruit mellow character; more than a hundred eaux-de-vie go into it, all distilled the Martell way from clear wines only, with the lees removed before distillation. "Grand Classic" is the labelling this XO carries in this presentation — the same Cordon Bleu liquid, in a full 1L bottle. Pour it from our cognac collection, or see the house range on the Martell vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Candied plum and apple orchard fruit with roasted mocha coffee, toasted almond and vetiver. Palate: Rounded and mellow, driven by the Borderies component — caramelised fruit, sweet spice and gingerbread. Finish: Long, with fruit, spice and roasted cocoa.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a tulip glass is the classic serve for an XO of this roundness; a single cube softens it toward the candied fruit. It is a digestif cognac first — save the mixing for younger blends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Grand Classic" mean on this bottle? It is an alternate label presentation of Martell Cordon Bleu, the house's XO (labelled "Extra Old" outside the United States) — the same blend of 100+ eaux-de-vie, not a separate recipe.
Is Cordon Bleu an XO? Yes — Martell describes Cordon Bleu as a unique cognac in the XO category. Retailer and house-derived copy commonly describes its component eaux-de-vie as aged well beyond the XO minimum; the bottle itself carries the XO classification rather than a year statement.
What is the Borderies? The smallest cru in the Cognac region, prized for soft, candied, violet-tinged eaux-de-vie. Cordon Bleu is built with a Borderies predominance, which is the source of its rounded, mellow style.
The 1912 classic, in the full litre — buy Martell Cordon Bleu Grand Classic Cognac online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.