Have you heard of the four major cognac houses?
They are Hennessy, known for the largest sales and marketing expertise, Martell, with the longest history, Rémy Martin, a true French brand, and Courvoisier.
Together, they account for 85% of the market share in the Cognac brandy industry!
What makes these four major brands unique?
In the XO series:
Rémy Martin's style is completely different from Martell's.
Martell sources its grapes primarily from the Borderie region of Cognac, and their distillation process removes the residual lees from the alcohol fermentation, resulting in a smoother texture and pure, delicate floral and fruity aromas. It also exhibits hints of coffee and chocolate in the finish, making it suitable for those new to spirits or for pairing with meals.
On the other hand, Rémy Martin's style is robust, with a distillation process that retains some of the lees, creating deep woody aromas. Rémy Martin emphasizes the influence of terroir on Cognac and uses grapes exclusively from the heart of the Cognac region, the Grande and Petite Champagne areas.
The most iconic feature of Martell is its blue brand color and the swift logo.
Its flagship range, Cordon Bleu, was introduced in 1912 and has been the best-selling cognac worldwide for many years. Although Martell XO and Cordon Bleu both fall under the category of "XO cognac," they are different styles. The difference lies in the fact that the "eau de vies" used in Cordon Bleu primarily comes from the Borderies region, where grapes produce a more delicate profile with floral and nutty aromas.
Martell's XO, on the other hand, uses grapes from both the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne regions. It has a stronger body, with more pronounced dried fruit flavors and a longer finish.
Today, Martell is part of the Pernod Ricard group, a major player in the world of wine and spirits. It's worth noting that although Hennessy was the first to use star ratings to classify the aging of cognac (leading to the familiar VS, VSOP, and XO categories), when Martell and Hennessy families joined forces in 1795, Martell quickly introduced its own VSOP and XO aging classifications, establishing the aging standards for Cognac houses in the years to come.
Rémy Martin has its origins in Cognac and is one of the oldest Cognac houses. The iconic centaur logo on its label is inspired by Paul-Emile-Rémy Martin, the third-generation successor, who was born under the Sagittarius zodiac sign.
Louis XIII, which many people are familiar with, is the high-end series of Rémy Martin's Cognac offerings.
Hennessy Cognac is known for its pleasant and sweet taste with a rich and layered character.
Hennessy was founded by a retired Irish military officer and had gained worldwide recognition as a Cognac exporter in the 19th century. The Hennessy family showed remarkable foresight in their business operations, becoming the first to use the three-star system (which we commonly hear as VS today), as well as introducing the categories of VSOP and XO to classify Cognac aging. They also played a pivotal role in establishing the official classification system for Cognac.
Hennessy merged with Moet, the champagne house, and the luxury giant LV (Louis Vuitton) back in 1987, forming what is now known as LVMH. This merger provided Hennessy with abundant resources and made it highly popular, especially among African Americans in the United States. Hennessy's name also frequently appeared in hip-hop songs of the 80s and 90s.
Hennessy boasts the largest stock of aged Cognac (eau-de-vie) in the world. A limited edition Hennessy can be a blend of over a hundred different eaux-de-vie. Hennessy even claims that you can taste the "Seven Worlds" in their Cognac, suggesting a complex array of spices, dark chocolate, dried fruits, and other aromas.
Many limited edition Hennessy bottles often feature customized packaging and hand-blown glass, resembling works of art. Since 2009, Hennessy has collaborated with various artists and entities for special edition releases, including partnerships with the NBA, Zhang Enli, Les Twins, Refik Anadol, Kaws, and Kim Jones (Dior's artistic director for men's collections).
What about Courvoisier？
It is currently the smallest in production volume among the four major cognac brands and is currently owned by the Suntory Group in Japan.
Legend has it that Napoleon Bonaparte had a special fondness for this brand, so much so that he even made sure to bring several barrels of it when he was exiled to the island of Saint Helena. That's why it's also referred to as "Cognac of Napoleon," Napoleon's cognac.
Courvoisier, later bestowed with the title "Supplier to the Imperial Court" by Napoleon III, has a storied history. Napoleon III personally granted this honor, and it is still commemorated in the Courvoisier Museum in Jarnac to this day. Courvoisier's premium range, Courvoisier Josephine, is said to have been designed based on the figure of Napoleon Bonaparte's wife, who was known for her fondness for tight-fitting dresses.
Courvoisier's XO follows an elegant and mature path, featuring dried fruits, floral notes, but also hints of oak and vanilla acquired through aging. It offers a sweeter and more refined palate compared to the other three major Cognac houses.
