The House of Rémy Martin
Rémy Martin is a producer of champagne cognacs including Grande Champagne, Fine Champagne and Petit Champagne cognacs. Rémy Martin is the second largest Cognac House, behind Hennessy. Rémy Martin’s vineyards are the largest in the Grande and Petite Champagne appellations in the Cognac region. Rémy Martin also obtains wine for distillation from 1,200 growers in the region through the Fine Champagne Alliance (see Rémy Martin -Cognac Wine Growers video below).
Rémy Martin V.S. Petite Champagne Cognac
Rémy Martin V.S., formerly Rémy Martin V.S. Grand Cru, was created in 2007 by Rémy’s cellar master Pierrette Trichet (see Rémy Martin – The Art of the Cellar Master video below). Rémy Martin V.S. is Petite Champagne Cognac, that blends eaux de-vie from the Petit Champagne growing cru in the cognac region. Rémy Martin describes its V.S. as the highest quality V.S.
Rémy Martin V.S. is not widely available, as the company uses the bulk of its Petite and Grand Champagne eaux-de-vie to produce longer aged Fine Champagne cognacs like their V.S.O.P and 1738 Accord Royal and Grand Champagne cognacs like XO and Louis XIII ($3,000+ a bottle), Rémy’s fastest-growing product in China and America.
The Rémy Martin V.S. Review
We tasted Rémy Martin V.S. straight in a brandy snifter. Here are our notes.
Price
Of the V.S. cognacs produced by the big four, including, Hennessy, Martell, and Courvoisier, Rémy Martin V.S. is priced closest to the highest V.S. of the four – Hennessy’s V.S.
Since Rémy Martin V.S. has limited distribution, it can not be counted on to fill any excess V.S. demand in the event of shortages. Indeed, Rémy Martin has made a corporate decision to focus on higher-end, higher-priced cognacs, so it would not be surprising to see cuts to Rémy Martin V.S. production or the elimination of the product altogether.
Alcohol: 40% (80 proof)
Age: Rémy Martin V.S. is a 100% blend of Petite Champagne eaux-de vie aged over two years in French Limousin oak barrels.
The Bottle/Label
Rémy Martin V.S. is packaged in a clear wine bottle with a gold Rémy emblem embossed on the front. (see above)
The Color
Medium dark copper/mahogany.
The Nose (Nez)
Vanilla, cut apple, toast and hint of peppermint.
Mouth (En Bouche)
Liquorice, oak and fruits. Rémy Martin gives its V.S. a 2/5 for “smoothness” which they describe as the “sensation on the mouth giving mellowness, balance and perfect harmony”. We concur. Rémy Martin V.S. is not the smoothest of cognacs.
Finish
Short, sharp spice. Rémy Martin’s site ranks Rémy Martin VS as having a 2/5 length meaning a short “length of time for which the tastes are expressed after a sip.”
Overall
This is a cognac better suited to mixing than sipping. We tried Rémy Martin V.S. with ginger ale and a fresh slice of ginger and it produced one of the best cognacs and ginger we have tasted. We also tried it in a side car with the Rémy Cointreau Group’s triple sec, Cointreau. The Cointreau smoothed out the sharp spice of the Rémy Martin V.S. and worked very well.
For details on Rémy Martin tours click here.
The Rémy Martin House
20, Rue de la Société Vinicole – 16100 COGNAC
Tél: + 33 (0)5 45 35 76 66
Email: visites.remymartin@remy-cointreau.com
Website: http://www.visitesremymartin.com/
