Martingale Cognac
Martingale Cognac debuted in 2023, hailing from a household with a storied historical past of creating Cognac for a number of the most prestigious homes within the area. But, regardless of the century of creating conventional brandy for others, this new providing landed on the world stage with a distinctly distinctive and authentic taste profile. Martingale Founder Guillaume Thomas together with Co-Founders Amaury Thomas and Andrew Weir labored with a collection of blends and expressions over the course of three years to deliver a spirit with a more energizing, aromatic, extra refined profile to the class. But Weir, who has a long time of expertise within the Scotch whisky trade, is cautious to notice that their intention was to enhance the Cognac class, not disrupt it.
Thomas, who left his place as CFO of Pernod Ricard North America to begin the model, notes, “Cognac has been pigeonholed in a approach, partly due to its success. By way of style profile, event and shoppers, no disrespect to different Cognac manufacturers—I really like them, however they’ve made Cognac darkish, dense, wealthy and sophisticated which is pleasing. We thought that there was a method to create a liquid that may be rather a lot more energizing. We needed to make an providing in a a lot lighter and clean profile. I really like Japanese whisky and I needed to impart that very same refined elegant features you get in one thing like Japanese whisky.”
If anybody was going to experiment with a brand new type, it is smart that it might be the Thomas household. As one of many area’s largest producers they’ve produced Cognac for a lot of different prestigious manufacturers, however they’ve by no means bottled a spirit below their title. Says Thomas, “In Cognac there are distillers, grape growers and people who age the eau de vie. Only a few producers do all three issues, however we do all three.” They’ve one of many area’s largest vineyards and one of many largest distilleries, they usually have their very own warehouses and aged stock. In Cognac it’s fairly unusual for a model to do all of it—rising grapes, distilling, and getting older. Thomas argues that as a result of they preserve management over each facet of manufacturing they’re higher capable of management high quality and keep away from “standardization”—which is a well mannered time period for including elements to realize a particular taste or look.
Martingale Double Down cocktail
Explains Thomas, “Standardization occurs on this trade with a purpose to conform with the notion that Cognac needs to be darkish. That is usually performed with components like boise.” Boise is a form of wooden tea that’s used impart colour and tannin. “When you’ve full management from what you set within the soil to develop the grapes to what you set within the bottle you don’t have to depend on components.”
The patron response has been illuminating. Says Weir, who usually pours it for his whisky-loving clients, “Folks style it and are fairly stunned. It’s under no circumstances what they anticipated, and it’s difficult connoisseurs to reevaluate their views on your entire class.” Thomas provides that the model title Martingale refers to a French phrase which means “discovering your recipe for fulfillment,” a tribute to his grandfather who, after World Battle II, transformed farmland right into a profitable distillery. “It’s vital to seek out your martingale in life. Regardless of how outdated you might be. That’s why we select the title.”
Martingale’s aromatics are clear and recent—it has a fruity (suppose apple and pear), botanical fragrant profile with spice notes on the palate. Thomas likes to sip his, with a small quantity of ice to deliver out much more of the aromas and flavors. But, he and Weir additionally make the case for utilizing it in cocktails—particularly a Aspect Automotive and the corporate favourite: The Double Down.
Martingale Double Down
1 ½ ounces Martingale Cognac
¾ ounce recent lemon juice
¾ ounce easy syrup
2 ounces glowing wine
Lengthy spiral lemon twist, for garnish
Aspect Automotive
1 ½ ounces Martingale Cognac
¾ ounce Cointreau
¾ ounce recent lemon juice
1 orange peel, for garnish
1 teaspoon granulated sugar, for rim garnish
