The Rémy Martin Townhouse
To celebrate my new found love of cognac, Rémy Martin thought I might like a snoop through their townhouse.
Hidden in a secret little spot in the depths of Soho, you’ll find the 300 year old brand’s house of wonder.
Floor after floor of adventure for the lucky few allowed to venture inside.
Willy Wonka style invitations were sent out (along with a key to the door) to the founding members. They were then allowed to invite ten friends each, who would have the run of the place, for its short (2 week pop-up) lifetime in Soho.
I thought you might like a Willy Wonka style invitation, too! But rather than a key, I figured a tour might do the trick?
Come on, follow me and I’ll show you around London’s most private pop-up…
The townhouse is made up of four main floors.
Two bars and two rooms of wisdom.
The first bar you come to is the VSOP bar, and it is very French.
Red leather sofas, glistening frames coating the walls, candles and gentle, foot tappin’ music in the air.
The rather beautiful, bearded bar keepers don’t hurt, either!
They’ll knock up anything you fancy, using the elegantly powerful VSOP Cask Finish.
Which is “composed of eaux-de-vie coming exclusively from the most sought-after vineyards of Cognac: Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne. Such eaux-de-vie offer an exceptional ageing potential and are known as Cognac Fine Champagne.”
It’s aged for upto 14 years. Giving the cognac a fruity, full taste with just the lightest touch of the oak cask where it spent its final year.
How’s that for a pretty special cocktail base?!
Just upstairs you’ll find my favourite room of all; the tasting room!
A room surrounded by bottles of ageing cognac centres around a banquet table of nibbles.
Each plate representing a note you’ll find in your glass. It’s a nibbler’s heaven!
The macarons are too much for any girl to resist, let alone this gannet!
In the attic, you’ll find the really good stuff.
In the very cool XO Bar.
Up here they only serve Rémy Martin XO.
The menu (which you wont need, just chat to the barman!) proudly proclaims:
“Blended from over 400 eaux-de-vie aged from 9 to 30 years Rémy Martin XO Excellence is the signature of our cellar master.”
300 years of experience, 30 years of craftsmanship, all coming down to one cocktail, high above the streets in Soho.
The barmen are some of the finest in London, so thankfully they don’t cave under the pressure!
“Le Centaure” – Rémy Martin XO, sweet vermouth, Campari, red currant, vanilla, clementine
and
“Side Car Excellence” – Rémy Martin XO, Cointreau Noir, lemon
Were my favourites, but I think you might like the “Old Fashioned Maison”
Rémy Martin XO, fig, Maison bitters, hazelnut and orange zest.
Poured over a hunk of clear ice, it’s a true thing of beauty.
Grab your drink and bring it downstairs to another of those “wisdom” rooms I told you about.
Every night there’s a different workshop. Members can learn about everything from butchery to millinery.
This time we’ve snuck in just before Noel Stewart‘s hat making master class.
For a little play in his dressing up box.
Being measured up by the man himself.
He’ll find anyone the perfect topper, no matter how enormous their head may be!
But really I think it’s time for another cocktail downstairs, don’t you?
My personal favourite is the “Baptiste” – Rémy Martin VSOP, Breton cider, lemon, maple syrup, orange.
Cognac and sweet cider is an inspired combo! Something I might have to recreate at home.
Though I don’t know that friends back in Somerset will be too impressed with that French cider…
I would love to direct you to The Townhouse, but sadly I cannot.
Not only was it top secret, but it’s also already gone! Packed up and left town.
Leaving nothing but the faint whiff of orange zest and one cognac obsessed Londoner behind!
I’ve heard rumours of another pop-up next year, so as soon as I hear anything I’ll send the juicy details your way. Until then, if my tour’s given you a thirst… how about helping me dream up a new cognac cocktail?
What would yours have in it?
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