Martell Cordon Noir Napoleon Cognac

Martell Cordon Noir Napoléon Cognac is a now-discontinued expression that was released in the 1980s and 1990s, primarily for the international duty-free market. It was crafted from 15–20 year old eaux-de-vie sourced from four of Cognac’s top crus, making it a rich and elegant offering that sat just below Martell’s XO tier.

Speculative Tasting Notes: Martell Cordon Noir Napoléon (1980s Bottling)

Appearance: Deep amber with copper glints, suggesting long aging and possible oxidation in bottle.

Nose: Rich dried fruits—fig, prune, and candied orange peel. Soft vanilla, toffee, and hints of cedarwood. Floral accents from Borderies eaux-de-vie—violet, lavender, and rosewater. Subtle rancio: walnut oil, old leather, and antique wood polish

Palate: Silky and full-bodied, with a velvety texture. Notes of baked apple, raisin, and honeycomb. Gentle spice—nutmeg, cinnamon, and a touch of dark chocolate. A whisper of tobacco leaf and almond paste

Finish: Long and warming. Lingering fruit, soft oak, and a refined herbal bitterness

Historical Context

Bottled at 40% ABV, standard for Cognac

Positioned as a Napoléon quality Cognac, bridging VSOP and XO in complexity

Discontinued in the late 1990s, making surviving bottles collectible and increasingly rare