A brand that requires no introduction, Rémy Martin has been producing cognacs for a long time – since 1724 to be exact, when a young Rémy Martin launched a cognac brand under his own name. Not many others can claim to have that kind of history.
So it makes sense to us that they are paying homage to that storied past with the launch of the Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal, a bottling released in Singapore in early 2022, in recognition of the year 1738 when then King Louis XV of France granted Rémy Martin the right to plant new vines. It was considered a rare recognition, and was bestowed to him thanks to the excellence of the cognacs he had been producing.
This bit of history ties in with how the Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal is made using only eaux-de-vie sourced exclusively from the most sought-after vineyards of Cognac, Grande Champagne, and Petite Champagne, resulting in a cognac unlike any other in the brand’s current portfolio.
Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal
From the looks of the bottle design alone, you can tell that they are going for a very different approach. It’s less modern and more vintage, exuding the kind of old world charm you’d want from a spirit brand with centurius behind it.
While it definitely sits pretty on any bar shelf, it’s the taste we’re truly after. But first, the nose. Sniffing it from a Glencairn, what surfaces foremost is dried grapes and sweet raisins. It’s elegantly rich, and layers of oak spice come through prominently.
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Upon sipping, find bread and vanilla notes lingering from start to finish, while luscious prune and sherry characteristics give depth and plenty of dark fruit flavours in the mid palate – the long, soft toasting of the barrels used in the ageing of the eaux-de-vie definitely pays off.
The folks from Rémy Martin highly recommend using the 1738 Accord Royal in classic cocktails like the Sidecar or Tom Collins (replacing gin with cognac). And we agree. Below however, we’ve decided to offer up two simple recipes (both twists on classics too) of our own that we have found to be delicious as well.
The Royal Gimlet (see below), with acidity and sourness from the lime, lifts many of the more muted spice notes found in the 1738 Accord Royal, while the Accord Alexander lays on the decadence by turning a match made in heaven – brandy and cream – up a notch with opulent ingredients.
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Cocktail Recipes
Royal Gimlet
Ingredients:
Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal 60ml
Lime juice 15ml
Agave syrup (we recommend Crawley’s) 15ml
Lime wheel
Steps:
1. Add cognac, lime juice and syrup into a shaker
2. Fill shaker with ice and shake gently
3. Strain mixture into a coupe glass
4. Garnish with lime wheel
Accord Alexander
Ingredients:
Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal 50ml
Crème de cacao (we recommend Giffard) 25ml
Heavy cream 25ml
Nutmeg powder (grated chocolate works too)
Steps:
1. Add cognac, crème de cacao and heavy cream into a shaker
2. Fill shaker with ice and shake well
3. Strain mixture into a coupe glass
4. Sprinkle nutmeg powder atop the drink
‘How to Drink’ is a feature segment on Spill that goes in-depth into specific spirit bottlings to really understand the craft behind their make. More than a review, we delve into their distilling philosophy, understand how it’s different, and offer ways to best enjoy them.
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About the Author
Dannon Har is the Managing Editor of Spill. Discovering his innate gift for drinking only at a ripe age, he spares no time trying to find more delicious drops to imbibe during his time on Earth. When he’s not minding every detail at Spill, he spends his time concocting luscious libations and sharing them with folks that visit his home bar.