Martell Blue Swift VSOP

By / Life / January 8th, 2018 / 1

Au revoir, 2017 – good riddance to bad rubbish as far as I’m concerned – and Bonjour 2018, it’s nice to meet you. This year is going to be much better than the last. I know this thanks to the good folks at House of Martell (one of my favourite cognac purveyors).

Cognac may be a traditional high-class brandy, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for innovation. The swift bird (family Apodidae – and similar in ways to the swallow) is the Martell icon, and it lends a nod to the flight of this house’s goods across far oceans to the United States in 1783 – the first cognac house to embark on such travels. Today, it stands for the forward-looking strategy of the brand.

Martell Blue Swift VSOP plays a rather unique homage to its conquest of America by trying something decidedly different – finishing classic French oak-aged spirit in American bourbon whisky casks. A bit of soaking in barrels from the Bluegrass State (Blue Swift; Bluegrass State – gotta love how it works on both a literal and gustatory level) leads to a lovely marriage of Old and New World tastes.

This beauty is classic Martell all the way – with characteristic candied plum, dark berry, fruitcake, and subtle vanilla/spice on the nose. But intermingling with the supple, round, complex aromas and flavours lurks a suggestion of sweetness; a hint of charred oak; a dusting of warm caramel and that certain je ne sais quoi that can only come as the result of a new Franco-American marriage.

Maybe 2018 will be a year of new discoveries for you. Martell Blue Swift has certainly has been one of my first. And if the rest are of this caliber, it will be a very good year, indeed.

Martell Blue Swift VSOP / $115 per bottle
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tod Stewart is the contributing editor at Quench. He's an award-winning Toronto-based wine/spirits/food/travel/lifestyle writer with over 35 years industry experience. He has contributed to newspapers, periodicals, and trade publications and has acted as a consultant to the hospitality industry. No matter what the subject matter, he aims to write an entertaining read. His book, 'Where The Spirits Moved Me' is now available on Amazon and Apple.

Comments are closed.

North America’s Longest Running Food & Wine Magazine

Get Quench-ed!!!

Champion storytellers & proudly independent for over 50 years. Free Weekly newsletter & full digital access