Andy Garcia promotes Martell Caractere US launch

Hollywood actor and film-maker Andy Garcia has created a short film to coincide with the US launch of Martell Caractere – a bottling which pays homage to the Cognac’s founder, Jean Martell.

Cuban-born actor Andy Garcia has created a short film in collaboration with Martell to coincide with the brand’s new US launch

Created through the same distillation method used by Martell almost 300 years ago, and using grapes from the Domaine Jean Martell, Martell Caractere is described as having notes of citrus, tangerine peel, cinnamon, and clove.

Pierre Berard, senior vice president for spirits marketing at Pernod Ricard USA, said: “Jean Martell was a man of adventure who constantly sought perfection and elegance, regardless of the challenges it posed.

“It’s that same tenacity that lives through Martell Caractere today. The House of Martell continues to lead innovation in Cognac and we couldn’t be more pleased to share that innovation in the US with such a distinguished product, Caractere.”

The new release is composed of a blend of two types of eaux-de-vie and has been aged in fine grain French oak barrels.

The US launch coincides with a the release of a short film charting the life of Mambo music player Israel “Cachao” Lopez, which has been created through a collaboration between Martell and Cuban-born actor Andy Garcia.

“The way Jean Martell’s bold and visionary nature was described to me reminded me of my relationship with Israel ‘Cachao’ Lopez,” said Garcia. “Both men had a dedication to their passion and pursued their dreams.”

Martell Caractere is bottled at 40% abv and is now exclusively available in California at an RRP of US$34.99.

Brand-owners Pernod Ricard recently described Martell sales as “outstanding” during the announcement of its FY 2012/13 results.