Martell Cordon Bleu "Year of the Goat" Limited Edition Cognac 1000ml

Martell has built a genuine annual tradition around the Chinese Lunar New Year, releasing a fresh, collectible Zodiac-themed limited edition of its flagship Cordon Bleu Cognac each year — this one celebrating the upcoming Year of the Goat, a sign traditionally associated with harmony, creativity, and gentle strength. Arriving September 18th, well ahead of the actual Lunar New Year celebration, this is a genuinely early opportunity to secure the release before it becomes the centerpiece of next year's gifting season.

This is a pre-sell, with the bottles shipping on or around September 18th, 2026

Inside the collectible packaging is the real thing: Cordon Bleu itself, created in 1912 by Edouard Martell and first launched at the legendary Hôtel de Paris in Monaco — genuinely the oldest XO-quality Cognac still in continuous production, and widely credited as the very first mass-market upmarket Cognac ever released. What makes Cordon Bleu genuinely distinctive within the XO category is its blend composition: roughly 50% Borderies, the smallest and rarest of Cognac's six crus, a compact, chalky plateau northwest of Cognac town that produces eaux-de-vie with a genuinely unique floral, nutty, violet-forward character found nowhere else in the appellation. Most other XO Cognacs lean heavily on Grande Champagne or Petite Champagne instead, making Cordon Bleu's softer, more delicately layered profile a real point of distinction. The blend itself draws on more than 100 different eaux-de-vie, aged between 10 and 25 years.

Difford's Guide's independent tasting of the classic Cordon Bleu found "candied fruit, ginger bread, cinnamon, clove, toasted almond, mocha coffee, candied orange and violet blossom" on the nose, the taste "intense, round and balanced," with "light candied fruit sweetness" balancing "dry nut, delicately spiced oak and mocha coffee notes with raisin, overripe banana and violet led floral notes," closing with "a long dry finish" of "cigar leaf, pastry, toasted almond and violet blossom," summing it up as "big, robust and spicy with a dry finish." This is genuinely one of the most historically important Cognacs in existence, now presented in a striking, collectible 1-liter Year of the Goat bottle — a real centerpiece for Lunar New Year gifting and celebration.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Martell Cordon Bleu "Year of the Goat" Limited Edition is produced by Martell, the oldest of the four great Cognac houses, founded in 1715 in the town of Cognac by Jean Martell. Cordon Bleu itself was created in 1912 by Edouard Martell, first launched at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco, and remains the oldest XO-quality Cognac still in continuous production.

The blend draws on more than 100 different eaux-de-vie aged between 10 and 25 years, with roughly 50% sourced from the Borderies — the smallest and most prized of Cognac's six crus, known for its distinctive floral, nutty, and violet-forward character. This Limited Edition presents Cordon Bleu in special collectible packaging celebrating the 2027 Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Goat. Bottled at 40% ABV / 80 proof, 1000ml, arriving September 18th.

Critics Reviews

No independent tasting notes are yet published specifically for this Year of the Goat edition — a genuinely new, early release. For context, Difford's Guide has reviewed the classic Cordon Bleu blend housed inside this special packaging:

Difford's Guide (extended independent review, classic Cordon Bleu):
"Aroma: Candied fruit, ginger bread, cinnamon, clove, toasted almond, mocha coffee, candied orange and violet blossom. Taste: Intense, round and balanced. Light candied fruit sweetness balances dry nut, delicately spiced oak and mocha coffee notes with raisin, overripe banana and violet led floral notes. Aftertaste: Long dry finish with cigar leaf, pastry, toasted almond and violet blossom. Overall: Big, robust and spicy with a dry finish."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Candied fruit and gingerbread lead, joined by cinnamon, clove, and toasted almond, alongside mocha coffee, candied orange, and violet blossom.

Palate
Intense, round, and balanced, with light candied fruit sweetness meeting dry nut and delicately spiced oak, developing mocha coffee, raisin, overripe banana, and floral violet character.

Finish
Long and dry, closing with cigar leaf, pastry, toasted almond, and lingering violet blossom — genuinely robust and spicy.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Dark chocolate desserts
• Aged, nutty cheeses
• Dried fruit and nut boards
• Spiced holiday desserts

Serving Note

Enjoy neat in a snifter or tulip glass at room temperature to fully appreciate its layered aromatics.