Louis XIII Cognac unveils £4,300 limited edition

Cognac house Rémy Martin has launched a new collection of limited edition expressions that pay tribute to the history of its Louis XIII brand, starting with The Origin – 1874.

The Origin – 1874 is the first release in Louis XIII’s The Time Collection

Each Cognac in The Time Collection is said to communicate a chapter in Louis XIII’s history. A new expression will be released under the range every two years.

The first release, The Origin – 1874, is a blend of 1,200 eaux-de-vie drawn exclusively from the Grande Champagne region.

It is inspired by the original 1874 decanter of Louis XIII, which was first created by Paul-Émile Rémy Martin 142 years ago, featuring fleur-de-lys medallions, 13 dentelle spikes and a stopper shaped as an upturned decanter.

Made of Saint-Louis crystal, the decanter is presented in a woven metal case reminiscent of the wicker baskets in which original bottles of Louis XIII were delivered.

“The greatest stories often have humble beginnings and ours is no exception,” said Ludovic du Plessis, Louis XIII’s global executive director. “It was 1874 and a new, yet very old, Cognac was born. A true act of genius, housed in a decanter so unmistakable it has travelled through five centuries and still lives on today.

“The Origin – 1874 marks one of the landmark moments in Louis XIII’s fascinating story, and it will become part of your own personal legacy and tale.”

The Origin – 1874 carries an RRP of £4,300 (US$5,355).

Earlier this year, Rémy Martin opened a boutique in Beijing dedicated to Louis XIII Cognac, offering everything from miniature bottles to a six-litre Mathusalem.