The creation of the Louis XIII cognac in 1874 is in no way a coincidence. It represents the absolute mastery of time, a succession of daring initiatives and an unceasing quest for quality within the House of Rémy Martin. Louis XIII, the prestigious bond between the past and the future, opens – with the passion of three generations of cellar masters – the doors to the great saga of luxury spirits. It illustrates the collective work of men with strong ties to their land and the guardians of secular secrets. Their art will cross the 20th century. It will embrace the future with a steadfast faith and an extraordinary boldness. This art is similar to that of cathedral builders who never saw the completion of their work and used only the best materials for their building.
The creation
One hundred and fifty years will pass between the founding of the House of Rémy Martin in 1724 and the birth of Louis XIII in 1874. The purchase of the best parcels of land from 1720, the extension of the cellars in 1774 to allow old eaux-de-vie to develop… From 1821, Rémy Martin III, the twenty-one-year-old visionary director, blends the first reserves of old eaux-de-vie to prepare the future. His son, Paul-Émile Rémy Martin I, will inherit this know-how and passion. As the apogee of a life devoted to cognac, he creates Louis XIII and registers it officially on 13 June 1874 under the name of "Très Grande Champagne – Age Unknown".
Louis XIII is presented in a hand-blown crystal decanter, individually numbered, requiring the successive skills of eleven exceptional craftsmen. Richly decorated with fleurs-de-lis, the crystal carafe reveals and enhances the precious elixir that it contains. This elixir called Louis XIII is an exceptional blend of some 1,200 eaux-de-vie, the youngest of which is 40 years old and oldest over 100 years of age. The matured eaux-de-vie span the careers of three generations of cellar masters. The result is a magical combination of savoir faire, art and patience….a true act of genius.
The Experience
The first encounter with Louis XIII is one of sight. By letting the light filter through the crystal, it reveals its mahogany colour. Then, the sense of smell comes into play. The first nose of Louis XIII is incredibly rich, combining floral aromas with spicy fragrances. Jasmine is a dominant note, highlighting the saffron. It is then followed by the five Chinese spices, punctuated by the scents of Havana. The second nose blends the perfumes of flowers and exotic fruit more precisely. Once the fragrances of jasmine and saffron have taken hold of our nose, we are already in the rich and harmonious world of Louis XIII. We next find ourselves being drawn into the nuances of dried fruit and the ambiance of frankincense… Then comes the moment of discovery on the palate. The first drop of Louis XIII will infuse the whole mouth, giving life to subtle tonalities of fig and sandalwood. On "savouring" the subsequent mouthful, infinite flavours are revealed as we discover the softness and roundness of the eau-de-vie…
At the four corners of the world
This story begins at the end of the 19th century when Louis XIII sets off to conquer far-flung destinations, such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bombay, Tokyo, Rangoon, Le Cap, Buenos Aires, New York or San Francisco. The ambassador of a real "art de vivre à la française", Louis XIII is also served at the major European royal courts and, during the Roaring Twenties, on the greatest cruise liners of the age. It accompanies the emotions of unique moments such as the maiden voyage of the Normandie in 1935 or that of the France, as well as the first journey of the Orient-Express to Constantinople in 1929, or in 1984 the flight on board Concorde to celebrate this magnificent defiance of time with passion at Mach 2…
Today Louis XIII is served in the greatest luxury hotels in the world, from the Hotel George V in Paris to Burj Al Arab in Dubai, from the Ritz-Carlton in Osaka to the Wynn Casino in Las Vegas.
A tribute to the creators
The history of Louis XIII is the meeting between two exceptional lines: that of ten generations of Company heads who have succeeded each other in an unbroken line since 1724, and that of the cellar masters, the vigilant guardians of the treasures kept in the reserves. From the creator of Louis XIII, Paul-Émile Rémy Martin I to André Renaud who will take the name of Louis XIII to the four corners of the world, from André Hériard Dubreuil who will make it the jewel of an exceptional range of cognacs to Dominique Hériard Dubreuil who has made Louis XIII the emblem of French luxury, each generation has written and continues to write a page in the great history of Louis XIII.
Contact Information
www.louis-xiii.com