By Julie Gedeon
Simply swirling an ounce of LOUIS XIII in a snifter and pausing to admire its amber hue with flashes of gold makes for an unforgettable moment. Just as inhaling its floral and fruity notes before taking a sip—neat or with a drop of water to open its aromas further—is always special but never more so than on this iconic cognac’s milestone birthday.
“This 150th anniversary gives an even greater resonance to the weight of its living legacy, which we must preserve for the future generations while continuing to break the codes of our era,” says Anne-Laure Pressat, the global executive director for LOUIS XIII at Rémy Cointreau. Celebrations of the LOUIS XIII cognac’s anniversary are an elegant affair and have included a stylish birthday bash at Mott 32, one of the world’s most awarded Chinese restaurant brands, at the new Toronto location within the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel.
LOUIS XIII’s enduring legacy is rooted in always thinking a century ahead. The result is a blend of eaux de vie, some of which may surpass the century mark, with notes of peach, melon, nuts and marzipan on the nose and a palate of peaches along with orange blossoms, almonds, cinnamon and woodsy spices. The lingering finish of grapes, oaky spices and fleshy fruit is said to last up to an hour. “We say that one drop of LOUIS XIII is enough to understand its full power, so we developed a pioneering one-centilitre format that stands as a unique manifestation of LOUIS XIII but also a revolutionary fusion of luxury spirits and fashion accessories,” Pressat says.
This anniversary honours the creator of the LOUIS XIII cognac, the great-grandson of the Rémy Martin who founded the House in the early 1700s, Paul-Émile Rémy Martin. His idea to use a few precious drops of the oldest and finest eaux de vie from his cellar to create a special spirit would bolster his family’s legacy for a century and beyond.
“The 150-year legacy of LOUIS XIII illustrates perfectly our relentless pursuit of excellence,” Rémy Martin CEO Jean-Philippe Hecquet says. “From the vineyards to the decanter, we dedicate ourselves to upholding the highest standards, ensuring this exceptional cognac continues to inspire for the coming centuries.”
Contained within an ornate decanter decorated with fleurs-de-lys, LOUIS XIII has become a luxurious witness to history, served to royalty and celebrities, sipped by passengers aboard the Orient Express and the Concorde, and toasted in celebration of S.S. Normandie’s inaugural journey. To this day, it marks momentous occasions, from weddings to retirements. “By continuously seeking to improve from past achievements, I aim to preserve this perpetual quest for the rare and the exceptional,” Pressat vows.