Remy Martin 1738 200ML

Remy Martin 1738 Accord Royal 200ML is a Fine Champagne Cognac bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a portable 200ml format. A Double Gold winner at the 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this expression stands apart for its distinctive aging in toasted oak barrels, which lend a remarkably mellow, rounded character uncommon at its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Cognac, France (Grande Champagne & Petite Champagne)  |  Fine Champagne Cognac  |  Distillery: Rémy Martin, est. 1724

Production & Heritage

Rémy Martin, founded in 1724 in the heart of France's Cognac region, has nearly three centuries of continuous production behind it. The 1738 Accord Royal draws exclusively from the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne crus — qualifying it as a Fine Champagne Cognac — and is distilled on the lees in traditional small copper alembic pot stills, a practice that preserves residual yeast compounds and adds textural depth. The grape blend is predominantly Ugni Blanc (roughly 97%), with Folle Blanche and Colombard filling out the remainder. What distinguishes 1738 from other expressions in the Rémy Martin range is the use of specially toasted oak barrels during maturation, yielding a softer, more caramelized profile than the house's standard VSOP.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich plum and fig jam lead the nose, followed by concentrated nutty aromas and a backdrop of toasted brioche. Deeper inspection reveals toffee and warm oak, with a gentle sweetness holding everything together.

Taste: The entry is immediately smooth, with spiced butterscotch arriving on the mid-palate alongside hints of dark chocolate. Concentrated caramel and toffee build steadily, joined by a chalky, almost tannic texture that gives the cognac unexpected structure. The mouthfeel is notably round and mellow, a direct result of the toasted-barrel aging regimen.

Finish: Long and warming, with espresso, black pepper, and clove lingering well after the last sip. A subtle dusty nuttiness carries through to the very end, leaving a clean, dry close.

How to Drink 1738

Neat or with a single ice cube is the ideal serve, allowing the toasted-oak character and layered sweetness to develop fully at their own pace. The 200ml bottle also makes it easy to sample in cocktails without committing a full bottle. A Sidecar benefits from 1738's butterscotch richness, which balances the citrus beautifully. A Vieux Carré gains depth from the cognac's espresso and spice undertones against the rye and vermouth. And a simple Cognac Old Fashioned with demerara syrup and Angostura bitters lets the toasted-oak sweetness shine as the foundation.

Best For

• Sampling a premium cognac before committing to a full-size bottle
• Gifting a spirits enthusiast who appreciates French brandy
• Travel or bringing along to a dinner party as a digestif
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Fine Champagne expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 1738 taste like? Rémy Martin 1738 delivers dominant flavors of spiced butterscotch, concentrated toffee, and dark chocolate, balanced by warm baking spice and a long espresso-dusted finish. The overall impression is exceptionally smooth and mellow.

How does 1738 compare to Hennessy VSOP? Both are premium cognacs from major Cognac houses, but Hennessy VSOP tends toward more prominent floral and fruity notes with a richer mouthfeel, while 1738 leans into caramelized, toasty sweetness from its toasted-oak barrel aging. The 1738 also qualifies as a Fine Champagne Cognac, meaning it sources exclusively from Grande and Petite Champagne, whereas Hennessy VSOP blends from multiple crus.

Is 1738 good for sipping neat? Yes — the mellow, rounded profile makes it one of the more approachable neat-sipping cognacs in its class. A small amount of ice or a few drops of water can further open up the toffee and spice notes.

Where is 1738 made? Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal is produced in Cognac, France, by the Rémy Martin distillery, which has been in operation since 1724. The eaux-de-vie are sourced exclusively from the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne sub-regions.

What foods pair well with 1738? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cognac's cocoa and toffee notes. Crème brûlée mirrors the caramelized sweetness from the toasted barrels. Blue cheese like Roquefort provides a salty counterpoint to the butterscotch richness. Fig-studded charcuterie boards echo the fig-jam aromatics. Pecan pie works as a dessert pairing, aligning with the nutty, warming finish.

What sizes does 1738 come in? Rémy Martin 1738 is widely available in 200ml, 375ml, 750ml, and 1L formats, with the 200ml serving as a convenient tasting or travel size.

Is 1738 worth the price? The 1738 Accord Royal positions itself as a step above standard VSOP cognacs, sitting in the upper-premium tier. Its Fine Champagne designation, lees distillation, and toasted-barrel aging provide measurable quality advantages that justify the premium over entry-level expressions.

Why 1738?

The toasted-oak barrel aging is the defining production choice here — it is a technique not standard across the Rémy Martin range and one that gives 1738 its signature caramelized mellowness. The Double Gold at the 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and subsequent Gold in 2015 confirm that this is a consistently well-regarded cognac among professional judges. Its Fine Champagne designation guarantees that every drop comes from the two most prized crus in the Cognac appellation. For anyone seeking a cognac with serious depth and smoothness that still works beautifully in cocktails, the 1738 Accord Royal earns its reputation as one of the strongest values in premium French brandy.