A Chronicle In Richest Amber

Aldrick Dehec, Master Blender and member of Maison Martell's Cellar Master Team, issues an ode to Martell's ultra-rare SG 60 cognac.

- WORDS INDRAN PARAMASIVAM PHOTOS MARTELL

HOW DO YOU BOTTLE the essence of a country?

In exceedingly rousing and impressive ways, Martell’s Cellar Master Christophe Valtaud has answered that deceptively impossible hypothetical question with a resounding flourish. The astoundingly rare Made For Singapore 60-Year-Old Cognac takes its place in the annals of upper-echelon spirits.

Created for Singapore's 60th year of independence, this liquid is a literal sine qua non of bespoke artistry, radiating an essence steeped in reverent commemoration. Hailing from a family of winegrowers and now a member of the elite, seven-person Cellar Master team, Aldrick Dehec takes me through the conception of this spirit.

What does the launch of this ultra-rare expression mean to Martell?

It marks a timeless connection between Singapore and Martell. The first shipment from Cognac to Singapore took place in 1871, so there's over 150 years of connection between the House and Singapore. In that time, Martell also had a kind of deposit in Singapore, a facility to dispatch Martell Cognac here in Singapore. Over this long period, The House has shared a rich connection with the land, the people, and the local team in Singapore.

Superb. So, why are there only 12 bottles of the 60-Year-Old cognac produced?