How Martell Nurtures A New Generation Of Connoisseurs
Inside an exclusive masterclass session hosted by Martell’s master mixologist, Remy Savage.
It is curious that, even after centuries of gastronomy and an ever‑advancing world of food science, our understanding of taste and aroma remains largely subjective. Flavours are described only in relation to other flavours, leading each comparison to shift subtly from one palate to the next. “What makes pineapple, lemon, and lime taste different? After all, they are each sweet and sour,” asked Rémy Savage, Maison Martell’s Master Mixologist. It was precisely this lack of a standardised metric that the Frenchman sought to illuminate during his recent masterclass.
Held within the elegant walls of Lavantha, one of Kuala Lumpur’s latest haute cocktail venues, the Martell masterclass formed part of the brand’s ongoing Make It With Martell global campaign. Founded in 1715, Maison Martell is among France’s oldest cognac houses, renowned for its clarity, elegance, and distinctive savoir‑faire. Its signature style—shaped by Borderies eaux‑de‑vie and the distillation of clear wines only—remains luminously refined more than three centuries on. In its efforts to demystify cognac for modern audiences, the campaign came to fruition by inviting a new generation of creators to reinterpret the maison’s legacy and significance through their own lens.
Among them is Savage himself, a fixture on the World’s 50 Best Bars list and a figure known for threading philosophy and art through his approach to mixology. Speaking to an intimate gathering of media and industry guests, he explored how ideas, flavours, and craftsmanship intersect, and how the interplay of aroma and taste forms the very equation of flavour. He even shared a simple experiment devised with his daughter to better conceptualise and quantify the flavours of everyday ingredients.
This exploration culminated in the Fine à l’Eau, a contemporary reinterpretation of the classic cognac‑and‑water serve. Light, refreshing, and crafted entirely from grape‑derived ingredients, it pays homage to Martell’s legacy while casting it in a modern light. Elegant yet deceptively simple, the cocktail illustrates how aroma and taste converge—and how Martell’s storied cognacs can be reimagined for a new generation of discerning drinkers.
Later that evening, Savage was joined by Jon Lee—award‑winning bartender and co‑founder of Penrose and Lavantha—for a guest shift that showcased Martell’s creative spirit behind the bar. Savage unveiled his bold Martell Noblige Espresso Martini, while Lee presented two of his own signature creations, Poire Belle and Bloomfield, each highlighting the maison’s depth and versatility. Together, they underscored how Martell’s cognacs continue to inspire innovation in every pour, shaping the next chapter of Maison Martell’s enduring story.
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