In 2026, Chinese New Year will be under the sign of the Horse. A symbol of freedom, power, and vitality… in other words, an ideal playground for Martell. The oldest of the great cognac houses embraces this zodiacal year with a series of limited editions where heritage flirts with contemporary creation.
Because at Martell, the horse is not just a pretty motif. It is almost a manifesto. In modern Chinese, the word "horse" also shares the same initial character as "Martell". A coincidence? Not really. As early as the 18th century, Jean Martell was already traveling the Cognac region on horseback, searching for the finest eaux-de-vie. A foundational relationship, forged to the rhythm of hooves, between terroir and excellence.
To celebrate this highly symbolic year, the House unveils a collection of limited editions ranging from VSOP to the highly coveted XXO. The design is by Chinese artist He Datian, whose expressive calligraphy conjures powerful equine figures, almost in motion. The result: bottles and gift boxes with bold aesthetics, a blend of calligraphic tradition and assured modernity, clearly designed as gift items with strong emotional value.
But the true highlight of this creative procession remains L'Or de Jean Martell – Zodiac: Assemblage du Cheval. An ultra-prestigious piece, produced in only 500 numbered copies, which follows the House's annual tradition dedicated to the Chinese zodiac. Conceived by Master Blender Christophe Valtaud, this rare blend brings together eaux-de-vie from previous Horse years, selected with almost obsessive precision.
The bottle, for its part, clearly plays in the realm of the exceptional: a hand-blown crystal decanter, born from a collaboration with the House of Baccarat, topped with a sculpted horse head stopper and placed on an engraved gilded base. More than a bottle, an art object. And a style statement.
With this 2026 collection, Martell doesn't just celebrate an astrological sign. The House tells a story of movement, transmission, and audacity. An elegant way to remind us that, even after more than three centuries, some still know how to advance at a gallop.
