A limited-edition LOUIS XIII cognac is sometimes produced to mark an important anniversary or as a very small run of a particularly special blend. Although limited-edition products and classic decanters will essentially share the same overall flavour profile, limited-edition products will often be presented in different, bespoke coffret, as befits the rarest LOUIS XIII cognac.

For details of other limited-edition products released by LOUIS XIII in previous years, please visit this section.

LOUIS XIII cognac is presented in a few different decanter sizes, although there is no difference to the aromatic and flavour profiles of the liquid inside. The classic decanter contains 70cl of LOUIS XIII cognac, but other sizes are available, including a miniature (5cl), magnum (1.5l), Jeroboam (3l) and Mathusalem (6l). Based on a royal 16th-century flask that was lost on a French battlefield, each crystal decanter employed to encase the different formats of LOUIS XIII cognac is hand-blown and individually numbered, so no two decanters are exactly the same. The distinctive decanter still features the three fleurs-de-lys found on the original flask, and the neck of the decanter is decorated with 24-carat gold. In all its formats, the LOUIS XIII cognac decanter has become a global icon of luxury.

Each decanter of LOUIS XIII features a unique serial number and includes the date of bottling. To find out the date of your decanter, you will need to supply us with this unique number along with some photos for analysis. Please send us photos of the decanter, the stopper, the box, and the serial number underneath the decanter to help us determine the date. The date won’t be an indication for the age of the eau-de-vie but the date of the bottling.

If you would like to find out the production date of your decanter of LOUIS XIII cognac then please supply us with the serial number, which can be found underneath the decanter, along with photos of the decanter, the stopper and the box. We can then check our digital records, or, in the case of very old decanters, our handwritten records, to determine which year your decanter was produced.

To join the LOUIS XIII Society you will need to register your decanter on our website. Visit uk.louisxiii-cognac.com to create an account by entering the serial number of your LOUIS XIII decanter. Once registered with the LOUIS XIII Society you will be part of a privileged club, with access to exclusive content and services reserved only for LOUIS XIII Society clientele.

The value of LOUIS XIII decanters is driven by the consumer market based on the history of each one. Hand-made and individually numbered, each LOUIS XIII decanter is unique, and many old and rare LOUIS XIII decanters have been sold by renowned international auction houses over the years.

If you would like to sell your old decanter we recommend you get professional advice. To do this you can send us some photos for analysis. Please provide us with photos of the decanter, the stopper, the box, and the serial number on the bottom of the decanter. Please supply supporting documentation, ideally a proof of origin of the decanters at purchase if you have it. We can then give you more information about the age of your decanter. Once you know more about its history you may wish to contact some auction houses or a collectors’ association to get an indication of the value of your old decanter.

The average and recommended retail price for a 70cl decanter (bottle) of classic LOUIS XIII cognac is around £2,950, but this varies from market to market. LOUIS XIII cognac may be also available as a miniature 5cl decanter (from £700) and in larger sizes as a magnum (from £700), Jeroboam and Mathusalem.

You can buy a LOUIS XIII decanter online and at premium shopping districts, airports and a number of specialist wine and spirit retailers all over the world.
For a list of shops, please use the Where to Find search tool on our website. You can also buy a LOUIS XIII decanter at one of our four LOUIS XIII boutiques, located in Cognac, Xi’an, Beijing and London. You’ll find our London boutique within the prestigious Harrods department store, while the Xi’an and Beijing boutiques are in the upscale SKP shopping malls. In-store you can purchase a LOUIS XIII decanter from one of our knowledgeable sales assistants, and discover more about the Cognac region, our production and the time intensive process that is required to create every decanter of LOUIS XIII cognac.

You can buy LOUIS XIII cognac at selected luxury retailers all over the world. To find a certified retailer near you, please use the ‘Where to Find’ search tool on our website here. You can also buy LOUIS XIII cognac at one of our four boutiques, where you’ll also be able to discover more about the many aspects of LOUIS XIII and the riches of the Cognac region. Situated in Cognac, Xi’an, Beijing and London, each elegant boutique is centred around unique architectural swirl inspired by Harrods grade-II listed art nouveau features, which takes you through the ageing process of the eaux-de-vie that make up LOUIS XIII cognac, with changing colours symbolising the different stages of maturation. LOUIS XIII cognac is also available by the glass at carefully selected prestigious bars, restaurants and hotels all over the world. To find a venue near you, please use the ‘Where to Find’ search tool on our website here.

You can verify its authenticity by checking the serial number on the bottom of the decanter against the serial number on the accompanying leaflet and box. LOUIS XIII can sometimes help to provide further information about when the decanter was produced. In order to do so, we would need you to provide us with some photos of the decanter, the stopper, the box and the serial number for analysis. Please contact the conciergerie.

LOUIS XIII decanters are designed to be a unique experience and as such we do not offer a refilling service. Every time we create a LOUIS XIII decanter, we follow a strict production process and are committed to the highest standards when it comes to quality and traceability. Each LOUIS XIII decanter is individually engraved with a unique serial number that corresponds to the production of the LOUIS XIII cognac inside, and the decanter therefore cannot be refilled.

Yes, you can buy LOUIS XIII crystal glasses, named ‘Facets of LOUIS XIII’, at any one of our four boutiques in Cognac, Xi’an, Beijing, London and online. A catalyst of light, these delicate, tall-stemmed crystal glasses have been specially designed to expose and enhance the multifaceted characteristics of LOUIS XIII cognac and offer a new dimension to the recommended LOUIS XIII tasting ritual. The ‘Facets of LOUIS XIII’ crystal glasses were designed by acclaimed French designer Christophe Pillet and are exclusive to our online and offline boutiques.

Limited editions of LOUIS XIII cognac are released occasionally in order to mark an important anniversary or as a very small run of a particularly special blend. They are produced in limited quantities, and are typically presented in a bespoke, individually numbered decanter, making them highly sought-after.

Our most recent limited-edition product, LOUIS XIII Black Pearl AHD, was released in February 2019 to mark 100 years since the birth of our former chairman André Hériard Dubreuil. Just 1,498 individually numbered 35cl Baccarat crystal decanters were produced, the cognac drawn from a single tierçon (a traditional Limousin oak barrel) hidden deep inside the LOUIS XIII cellar.

Due to their rarity, limited-edition LOUIS XIII cognacs aren’t always available to buy, but to find out more about how you can purchase a limited edition LOUIS XIII cognac, please contact conciergerie@LOUIS-xiii.com. For a full list of limited editions released by LOUIS XIII cognac in previous years, please visit this section.

The tasting notes of LOUIS XIII cognac are complex and multi-layered, drawn from a recommended tasting ritual that encompasses all of the senses. At first sight, LOUIS XIII cognac draws you in with its rich, warm hues of mahogany, characteristic of eaux-de-vie that have been aged over many years. It teases the nose with unmistakable woody notes, evocative of century-old oak casks. LOUIS XIII cognac should be tasted drop by drop. It opens on the palate in a burst of floral, fruit and spice aromas. As you taste, take time to appreciate the evolution of these flavours, which linger on the palate for up to one hour.
You can taste the art of time from the very first drop, its unmistakable woody notes evocative of centuries-old oak casks, and years of artistry leading to an explosion of floral, fruity and spicy notes, including dried roses, honey, myrrh, cigar box, plum, honeysuckle, leather, figs and passion fruit. Savour the unforgettable flavours that will linger for a long time on your palate, sparking deep-rooted memories and marking a unique moment in time.

LOUIS XIII is not a 100-year-old cognac because it is not the product of one particular year. Instead, LOUIS XIII cognac is a blend of the finest and most precious eaux-de-vie that have been meticulously selected over time by generations of cellar masters. Since 1874, our expert cellar masters have handpicked different combinations of aged eaux-de-vie from our cellars, using expertise and savoir-faire to blend them in such a way that retains the signature taste and aromas of LOUIS XIII cognac throughout time. Today, we have eaux-de-vie in our cellars that date back several decades, and our current cellar master Baptiste Loiseau continues to set aside stocks of the very distinctive Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie for his successors to draw on in the coming centuries.

Legislation on spirits only allows cognac houses to communicate the age of the youngest eaux-de-vie of the blend. Since 1874, our visionary cellar masters have been setting aside the finest eaux-de-vie, always thinking a century ahead so that their successors can create the finest blend and continue the legacy of LOUIS XIII. LOUIS XIII is a complex blend containing the finest and most precious eaux-de-vie that have been carefully selected over time by generations of Cellar Masters. It makes no sense for us to limit our communication to the age of the youngest eau-de-vie and so we no longer communicate the age of the eaux de vie constituting the LOUIS XIII blend.

The age of the decanter and age of the liquid are different and should not be confused. By essence, cognac is a blend, the individual components that were brought together to create each blend vary in age and actually date back many years. The individual eaux-de-vie that are blended together to create LOUIS XIII cognac’s distinctive flavour have been carefully selected over time and then left to slowly mature by generations of Cellar Master – a practice that has been carried out ever since Paul Émile Rémy Martin set aside his first eau-de-vie.

There is no strict requirement regarding the age of the vine used in the production process for LOUIS XIII cognac. Only the finest Ugni Blanc grapes from the prestigious Grande Champagne region are used to make LOUIS XIII cognac, and these grapes are ready to be picked and turned into wine once the vine is around five years old. However, the optimum age for harvesting is when the vine is between 10 and 30 years old. Once harvested, the grapes are fermented and then distilled twice, following strict French laws. The eau-de-vie derived from this process is then aged in oak barrels for many years before being carefully blended with other aged eaux-de-vie to make LOUIS XIII cognac.

The legal requirement for the age of the eaux-de-vie used to make cognac is a minimum of two years. However, LOUIS XIII is made from a blend of eaux-de-vie that have been watched over by generations of cellar masters for many years. The liquid in a decanter of LOUIS XIII cognac is created with a blend of the finest and most precious eaux-de-vie. To create LOUIS XIII cognac, the primary requirement is for our cellar masters to obtain the same aromatic profile as that of the first LOUIS XIII cognac created more than 150 years ago, using a particular combination of eaux-de-vie of varying ages. Please note that Grande champagne eaux-de-vie obtain their full potential when aged for decades.

Each tierçon, a century-old barrel made from Limousin oak, holds eaux-de-vie that have been carefully selected by one of our Cellar Masters and left to mature for many years before it is ready to be blended. Despite being stored in the same cellar, the eau-de-vie will differ according to the location of the tierçon in the cellar, the conditions of the cellar, and the history of the individual tierçon. Each one is handmade and therefore unique, and the precise age of the wood used, the subtle difference in size and finish, and the imprint left by previous eaux-de-vie in the barrel all have an effect on the liquid inside.

Every decanter has the same unique aromatic and flavour profiles as the very first release of LOUIS XIII cognac back in 1874, but each composition is completely different. The signature characteristics of LOUIS XIII are recreated each time using a different combination of the finest and most precious eaux-de-vie. Our Cellar Master uses great technical skill and intuition to keep the style of LOUIS XIII cognac the same as it’s always been, choosing from an ever-evolving stock of different eaux-de-vie that have been crafted and passed down by generations of cellar masters to be selected and blended together for bottling in the future.

LOUIS XIII cognac is made from natural materials, the finest grapes of the first cru of Cognac regionand there is nothing more important for us than our terroir. While the grape growing is not organic, we are dedicated to respecting natural resources and fighting climate change both in our own corner of Cognac and on a global level, always thinking a century ahead to ensure resources are preserved for future generations. We therefore follow the highest environmental measures.

Our commitment to sustainability includes the French government’s High Environmental Value (HVE) certification, which we have held since 2012 in our vine’s estates, becoming only the sixth company in France to achieve this certification.

In terms of nutritional value, a 25ml glass of LOUIS XIII cognac contains 7.9g of alcohol and approximately 56Kcal. LOUIS XIII cognac does not contain any gluten or wheat, nor does it contain nuts or any traces of nut. LOUIS XIII cognac is not kosher-certified.

Since its birth in 1874, LOUIS XIII cognac has consistently been named the best cognac by fine wine lovers and collectors. Since its origin, there is no competition to LOUIS XIII. Throughout our long history LOUIS XIII cognac has been enjoyed by countless politicians, celebrities and entrepreneurs, and has been present at royal coronations and the inaugurations of many presidents. LOUIS XIII cognac is today considered to be a quintessential symbol of luxury the world over.

LOUIS XIII cognac is named after the French King LOUIS XIII, who reigned from 1610 to 1643. During this time, the first ‘eaux-de-vie de Cognac’ were emerging, and in 1640 King LOUIS XIII levied taxes on these eaux-de-vie, thereby recognising cognac as a category of brandy in its own right. This official recognition by the French monarch gave cognac its unique noble standing and naming our cognac LOUIS XIII was a fitting tribute to the long-serving French king. It was also under his reign that the Remy Martin Family settled in the region.

LOUIS XIII cognac was created in 1874, although our origins can be traced back to the 1720s, when the Rémy Martin family began acquiring vineyards in Cognac. In 1842, Rémy Martin III produced the first reserves of aged eau-de-vie de Cognac – the beginnings of a legacy that would be passed down through future generations of cellar master, which would include his son Paul-Émile Rémy Martin I.

In 1874, as the House of Rémy Martin celebrated its 150th anniversary, Paul-Émile Rémy Martin I acquired a distinctive glass flask featuring three fleurs-de-lys. A farmer had found the flask on the site of the Battle of Jarnac, and it is thought to date back to 1569. Paul-Émile Rémy Martin I used the flask as inspiration for a decanter that he would fill with a blend of only the most amazing eaux-de-vie, and thus LOUIS XIII was born. A year after it was created, LOUIS XIII cognac began to be exported around the world in limited quantities.

Both belong to the House of Rémy Martin. LOUIS XIII was born in 1874, when Paul Émile Rémy Martin acquired a glass decanter, thought to date back to 1569, featuring three fleurs-de-lys. This decanter inspired him to create LOUIS XIII cognac – a blend of the finest eaux-de-vie made from grapes grown in Cognac’s revered Grande Champagne region. LOUIS XIII cognac has always been made by the House of Rémy Martin, a cognac company owned by the Rémy Cointreau Group. LOUIS XIII is the most prestigious cognac made by the House of Rémy Martin. Today, Baptiste Loiseau is the Cellar Master of both Rémy Martin and LOUIS XIII.

LOUIS XIII is pronounced “Loo-ee tres” phonetically. LOUIS XIII cognac is named after King LOUIS XIII and tres is French for thirteen.

The number of decanters LOUIS XIII produces is confidential. Creating LOUIS XIII cognac is an ongoing, carefully considered process that blends the finest and most precious eaux-de-vie in an ever-changing combination, resulting in the same signature taste and aroma that was first produced almost 150 years ago. With so much dependent on the intuition of one individual and the raw materials at their disposal, we do not communicate the quantity produced every year. What we are able to release today is thanks to the legacy left to us by previous generations. Just keep in mind that it is very rare as it takes an incredible amount of time to create LOUIS XIII.

Baptiste Loiseau is the seventh Cellar Master of LOUIS XIII cognac. The first cellar master of LOUIS XIII was Paul Émile Rémy Martin in 1874, followed by Paul Émile Rémy Martin II, Alfred Giraud, André Giraud, Georges Clot and Pierrette Trichet. Baptiste Loiseau has held the position since 2014, when, at the age of 33, he became the youngest Cellar Master in Cognac.

LOUIS XIII cognac is made using a strictly controlled production process, following regulations dictated by French laws. LOUIS XIII cognac is made mostly from the finest Ugni Blanc grapes, grown in the Grande Champagne region in Cognac, France. Once harvested, the grape juices are fermented to produce a light white wine, which must then be distilled twice in small copper-pot stills.

As the wine is heated it begins to evaporate; the vapours pass through the neck of the still and then condensate into a condensing coil. During the second distillation, our Cellar Master must carefully extract the ‘heart’ of the liquid to create an eau-de-vie (‘water of life’). This fiery, colourless liquid is poured into French oak casks where it will mellow and age for decades before being blended with other eaux-de-vie to create the final unique blend of LOUIS XIII cognac.

The production process for LOUIS XIII cognac requires our highly skilled Cellar Master to carefully select the finest and most precious eaux-de-vie, which will have been set aside decades ago by cellar masters before him, combining them with painstaking precision in order to recreate the signature LOUIS XIII profile.

Yes, we would like to open new LOUIS XIII boutiques in the future. We currently have four boutiques – in Cognac (France), Xi’an and Beijing (China) and London (UK), with the latter three situated within luxury shopping malls or department stores. Combining refined design with the latest digital technology, the interior design of each boutique pays homage to the origins of LOUIS XIII cognac, bringing together a range of materials such as limestone, copper and oak.

Visiting one of our boutiques takes you on a journey through the perpetual cycle of time; you will experience a range of sensations and emotions as you discover the many facets of LOUIS XIII and the riches of the Cognac region. We plan to open new boutiques soon so that we can offer the unique LOUIS XIII experience to more of our customers.

Once opened, our Cellar Master recommends that you can enjoy drinking the LOUIS XIII cognac for a year or more without its taste or aroma deteriorating. You should keep your decanter away from direct sunlight, in a cool and dry cabinet. The ideal temperature is 10 to 27 degrees Celsius. The opened decanter must be stored in an upright position, sealed with its natural cork stopper.

Each LOUIS XIII decanter is a unique handmade piece, engraved with its own serial number. The exceptional craftsmanship and timeless elegance embodied by every LOUIS XIII decanter means the empty vessels can be admired and cherished long after the cognac inside has been consumed.

We don’t recommend storing your decanter of LOUIS XIII using the crystal stopper – this is recommended for temporary use only, for ritual tasting for example. For extended storage time, we recommend resealing your decanter, once opened, with the natural cork stopper supplied.

To retain the quality of your LOUIS XIII cognac, we recommend you store your LOUIS XIII decanter in an upright position, away from direct sunlight and at a constant temperature and humidity level. Once bottled, LOUIS XIII cognac can be kept for many years without its quality diminishing. After your decanter has been opened, we recommend that you finish it within one year, but if you choose to extend the storage time the distinctive qualities of LOUIS XIII cognac should not change or deteriorate significantly, provided you follow the storage advice given. To retain its many qualities, your LOUIS XIII decanter should be stored in a cool and dry cabinet, at a temperature of between 10 and 27 degrees Celsius, and at 40-80% humidity. Please note that the bespoke crystal stopper is for temporary use only – for ceremonial and serving occasions, for example. At all other times you should use the natural cork stopper provided to seal your LOUIS XIII decanter.

There is no specific recommended storage time for cognac. Once bottled, cognac can be stored indefinitely without its taste or aroma diminishing, thanks to its high alcohol content. Cognac does not continue to age once bottled, so the contents of an unopened bottle that has been stored for many years will taste exactly the same as it did when it was bottled.

In order to preserve the distinctive qualities of LOUIS XIII cognac, we recommend storing it in an upright position in a cool and dry cabinet, at a temperature of 10 to 27 degrees celsius, and 40-80% humidity. The decanter should not be exposed to direct sunlight. These conditions also apply once your decanter is opened. The crystal stopper is recommended for temporary use ¬– for the ritual of presentation – only. For extended storage time, we recommend using the natural cork stopper.

Once your decanter is open, it is recommended that you finish it within one year, but if you extend the storage time the quality of LOUIS XIII cognac should not change or deteriorate significantly, provided you follow the storage advice above.

Yes, there are specific storage rules that will ensure your cognac remains in perfect condition. Always store your cognac in an upright position, and with no extremes of temperature. Once opened, the contact with the air will gradually cause some deterioration and evaporation, so we recommend that you drink the cognac within one year, but if you want to extend the storage time the quality of your cognac should not change significantly, provided you follow the correct storage rules.

To preserve the distinctive qualities of LOUIS XIII cognac we recommend storing your LOUIS XIII decanter in an upright position in a cool and dry cabinet, at a temperature of 10 to 27 degrees celsius, and 40-80% humidity. The decanter should not be exposed to direct sunlight. You should also follow these storage rules once you have opened your decanter. The crystal stopper is recommended for temporary use only; for extended storage time, we recommend using the natural cork stopper.

Brandy is a distilled spirit, obtained from fermented grapes – or other fruit – that can be grown in different regions. Cognac is an exclusive classification that is recognised as an Appellation of Controlled Origin.

Cognac has stricter regulations surrounding its production and must be made from designated white grape varieties grown in one of six sub-regions in the strictly delimited Cognac region. Once harvested, the grape juices are fermented to produce a white wine, which is then distilled twice to create an eau-de-vie. It must then be aged for a minimum of two years in oak casks before being blended. Brandy does not have specific regulations regarding the ageing process, and some brandy, such as grappa, is designed to be consumed young.

LOUIS XIII cognac is made from a blend of the oldest and most precious eaux-de-vie distilled, aged and blended over time to recreate the same distinctive LOUIS XIII aroma. All our eaux-de-vie is made from grapes grown in the Grande Champagne sub-region, renowned for its superior terroir, and each decanter represents the life achievement of generations of Cellar Masters.

Cognac is a region (and city) in the Charente department in southwest France, just north of the renowned winemaking region of Bordeaux. Cognac is an AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) comprising around 79,000 hectares of vineyards divided into six sub-regions, of which Grand Champagne is the most revered.

Cognac is pronounced ‘kon-yak’ phonetically.

The main difference between whisky and cognac is that whisky is made from grain and cognac is made from grapes. Whisky (or ‘whiskey’ as it is spelled in the US and Ireland) can be made anywhere in the world, whereas cognac can only be made in the Cognac region in southwest France, an Appellation of Controlled Origin.

Whisky can be made from any type of malted or unmalted grain, which is mixed with water and yeast before being distilled. It is then aged in oak barrels before being blended. Cognac is made from only designated white grape varieties grown in the strictly delimited Cognac region. The grapes are fermented to produce a white wine, which is then double-distilled to create an eau-de-vie. The aged eaux-de-vie, in old casks, are then blended together to create cognac.

The main difference between wine and cognac is that wine is a drink made from fermented grape juice and cognac is a distilled spirit. Both use the same raw material – grapes – but the production methods are entirely different. Grapes are crushed and pressed to extract the juice, which is then fermented. In the case of wine, this alcoholic juice then undergoes clarification and filtration before being bottled, or aged and then bottled.

Different wine regions have different rules and regulations surrounding the winemaking process but winemakers can generally use a variety of methods during the process to achieve the desired result. Cognac, on the other hand, has strict regulations surrounding its production – from the variety of grapes used to the double-distillation process to the minimum ageing requirements (two years).

Wine can be made anywhere in the world, from any grape variety, and in a wider variety of styles, whereas cognac can be made from only designated white grape varieties grown in the strictly delimited Cognac region. The grapes are fermented to produce a white wine, which is then double-distilled to create an eau-de-vie. The aged eaux-de-vie are then blended together to create Cognac.

Cognac is a distilled and aged spirit made from white grapes grown in the Cognac region in southwest France. There are three main grape varieties used in the production of cognac: Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche and Colombard, of which Ugni Blanc is the principal variety. LOUIS XIII cognac is made from eaux-de-vie distilled mostly from the Ugni Blanc grapes in Cognac’s coveted Grande Champagne region.

Cognac is a distilled wine made from the eau-de-vie of fermented white grapes grown in the Cognac region in southwest France. Cognac is 40% abv minimum and has complex taste and aroma profiles.

Cognac is made using a strictly controlled production process. It is made from designated white grape varieties produced in the Cognac region in southwest France. Once harvested, the grape juices are fermented to produce a light white wine, which is then distilled twice in small, copper pot stills. As the wine is heated it begins to evaporate; the vapours pass through the neck of the still and then condensate into a condensing coil. During the second distillation, the ‘heart’ of the concentrated liquid is separated in order to create an eau-de-vie. This fiery, colourless liquid is now around 70% abv and must mellow and age in French oak casks for a minimum of two years before being blended.

The blending process is a fine art requiring advanced technical skills. LOUIS XIII cognac is made by blending the finest and most precious eaux-de-vie, each one carefully distilled, aged and blended over time, and combined with precision in order to preserve the LOUIS XIII heritage and continue the work undertaken by previous cellar masters.

Cognac is blended from individual eaux-de-vie taken from white grapes grown in the Cognac region in southwest France. These eaux-de-vie have been aged in our cellars for many years, carefully watched over by generations of Cellar Masters.

Every year, the fermented wine is distilled using a strictly controlled and complex process that requires the cellar master to know exactly when to ‘cut’ the liquid in order to create the precious eau-de-vie, which holds all of the grapes’ delicate aromas. Only eaux-de-vie of sufficiently high quality are chosen for ageing in our cellars alongside the eaux-de-vie set aside by previous Cellar Masters.

Cognac is distilled using a strictly controlled and complex process. Designated grape varieties are harvested in September/October and then fermented to produce a light white wine. Nothing can be added to this wine, which must be distilled as soon as possible after harvest to protect its delicate qualities.

The wine is distilled twice with the ‘lees’ – a mixture of grape yeast and minute particles of the fruit – in small, copper pot stills. As the wine is heated it begins to evaporate; the vapours pass through the neck of the still and then condensate into a concentrated liquid. This procedure is then repeated, at which point the master distiller must ‘cut’ the liquid at precisely the right moment, separating the ‘heart’ from the ‘head’ and ‘tails’ of the liquid. The heart, which holds all the delicate aromas, becomes the precious eau-de-vie.

LOUIS XIII cognac is distilled with mastery and precision, through unique savoir-faire that has been handed down through generations. The master distiller understands exactly what to do during each crucial stage of heating, preserving each one of the grape’s subtle aromas in order to produce an eau-de-vie of adequate finesse and structure to be considered for blending into LOUIS XIII cognac in years to come.

Strict regulations dictate that, unlike brandies, cognac must be distilled twice. Double distillation leads to a more pure and concentrated spirit, which, at around 70% abv, needs time to mellow. Following the second distillation, the fiery colourless eau-de-vie is placed in French oak casks for many years, where it will soften and take on some flavours from the oak, before it is ready to be blended. LOUIS XIII cognac is made from a blend of the finest and most precious eaux-de-vie, each one distilled twice and then cut with painstaking precision before maturing slowly over time in LOUIS XIII’s cellars.

Once bottled, cognac is ready to consume, as it has already been aged for a minimum of two years in French oak barrels and is therefore smooth and richly flavoured. Cognac can be enjoyed at any time, and is typically served neat, as a digestif, but also works well as a pre-dinner mixed drink or even with food. When consumed neat or over ice it should always be sipped slowly in order to appreciate its complexity of flavours.

The LOUIS XIII cognac tasting experience is a journey that will transport you through time, allowing you to savour the individual notes of the finest and most precious eaux-de-vie that have been watched over by generations of Cellar Masters.

LOUIS XIII cognac is suitable to drink for a year or more after opening, as it is inalterable as long as the decanter has been sealed using a natural cork, and stored in an upright position in a cool and dry cabinet, away from direct sunlight. To further preserve its distinctive aromas and flavours LOUIS XIII cognac should be stored at a temperature of 10 to 27 degrees Celsius, and at 40-80% humidity.

It is impossible to generalise when it comes to describing the flavour of cognac. Every cognac is different, and the taste and aroma profiles of each one will depend on its provenance, which includes the terroir of the grapes, and the way in which the eaux-de-vie have been distilled, aged and blended. The taste depends on the wood, the house’ style, the choice of the grapes and the ageing process.

LOUIS XIII cognac has a complex flavour profile, which is down to the careful blending of the finest and most precious eaux-de-vie that have been cautiously selected by generations of Cellar Masters.

In LOUIS XIII cognac you can taste the art of time from the very first drop, its unmistakable woody notes evocative of centuries-old oak casks, and years of artistry leading to an explosion of floral, fruity and spicy notes, including dried roses, honey, myrrh, cigar box, plum, honeysuckle, leather, figs and passion fruit. Savour the unforgettable flavours that will linger for a long time on your palate, sparking deep-rooted memories and marking a unique moment in time.

Cognac is usually drunk neat, at room temperature. You should sip it slowly in order to savour its rich and complex characteristics. You may wish to add an ice cube, which will dilute the cognac slightly and reveal more of its fruity aromas. Cognac is often served as a digestif at the end of a meal, but it can also be enjoyed as an aperitif – try it in a long drink, mixed with tonic or ginger ale over ice.

You should drink LOUIS XIII cognac neat, and we recommend finding the right moment to be able to fully appreciate the artistry in every bottle. Begin the LOUIS XIII tasting ritual by pouring 20-30ml of the liquid into a dedicated crystal glass before letting it rest at room temperature for eight to 10 minutes. Holding the glass at arm’s length, note the cognac’s gold and amber hues, its mahogany transparency and its smooth, honeyed sheen.

Bring the glass towards your nose in increments, first capturing the initial floral bouquet before experiencing the intense aromas. Place a drop on your lips to prepare the palate, and then take a small sip. Circulate the cognac around your mouth to appreciate the individual notes, which continue to develop on the palate for up to an hour. Allow yourself to be transported through time, enjoying the unique aromas and flavours of our eaux-de-vie that have been watched over by generations of Cellar Masters.

Cognac is usually served neat, at room temperature. It is traditionally served as a digestif at the end of a meal. Serving it in a tulip glass helps expose the cognac’s rich and complex aromas. It also allows you to warm the glass by hand as you hold it in your palm.

Cognac is a versatile spirit, and can also work well as a pre-dinner aperitif, where an ice cube can be added to release more floral, fruity aromas. Cognac can even be served alongside food, and most cognacs pair well with strong cheeses and bitter chocolate.

We recommend serving LOUIS XIII cognac in one of our dedicated Christophe Pillet-designed crystal glasses, ‘Facets of LOUIS XIII’. These delicate tall-stemmed glasses, which are available to buy at LOUIS XIII boutiques and now available to purchase online, are the perfect vessel for the LOUIS XIII cognac tasting ritual, as they allow the multi-faceted characteristics of LOUIS XIII to shine through.

Serving LOUIS XIII cognac with food brings a new dimension to the tasting experience. Its distinctive flavour profile and long, lingering finish makes LOUIS XIII cognac an ideal match for the finest caviar or shavings of premium Jamón Ibérico.

The best food to serve alongside LOUIS XIII cognac would be something that complements its complex aroma and taste profile. We recommend serving LOUIS XIII cognac neat, and pairing it with the finest caviar, an exquisite and rare delicacy that deserves to be served alongside something equally special, and shavings of premium Jamón Ibérico, its complex flavours and silky smooth texture perfectly complement the multifaceted and nuanced flavour profile of LOUIS XIII cognac.

When pairing LOUIS XIII cognac and cigars you should consider the intense taste and aromatic profile of LOUIS XIII cognac. The ever-evolving notes of ripe fruit and spice on the palate can complement a cigar’s spicy, earthy notes beautifully, adding a soft, mellow element to the tasting experience. We recommend you pair LOUIS XIII cognac with a premium cigar and take time to enjoy the pairing, appreciating the level of artistry that has gone into both elements.

There are many similarities between LOUIS XIII cognac and cigars, such as their complex flavour profiles, the importance of terroir, the blending process (of individual eaux-de-vie and individual tobacco leaves), and the art of recreating a signature taste using different raw materials each time. With this in mind, LOUIS XIII has undertaken an extensive taste test to identify eight principal characteristics that apply to a LOUIS XIII cognac and cigar pairing. These eight facets – strength, freshness, minerality, gourmandise, complementarity, sweetness (or smoothness), muskiness and classic – can be represented by the eight planets moving around the sun (LOUIS XIII), whose character radiates across the whole solar system.

For cognac, a tulip glass is usually recommended as they allow cognac’s complex aromas to be released. For LOUIS XIII cognac, where the tasting process is a multisensory experience, we suggest you use one of our dedicated crystal glasses, ‘Facets of LOUIS XIII’. Exclusive to our four boutiques (in Cognac, Xi’an, Beijing and London) and now available to purchase online, these bespoke, tall-stemmed glasses add a new dimension to our tasting ritual.

Exclusively designed for use with our LOUIS XIII decanters, the specially designed LOUIS XIII Spear can be used to draw out cognac from your LOUIS XIII decanter using the lightest of touches, transferring the contents to your glass. The design of our LOUIS XIII Spear is based on the traditional spear used by our Cellar Master to draw the aged eau-de-vie from its barrel, when checking and blending the individual samples. This historic tool has been passed down through generations of Cellar Masters, ensuring the carefully controlled production process is adhered to for years to come. The LOUIS XIII Spear must be stored vertically. Do not leave inside the decanter: after using it, please rinse its inner and outer surfaces with lukewarm water and give it a wipe. The instruction must be respected to guarantee the exceptional quality of LOUIS XIII cognac. Please note that the LOUS XIII Spear is a service tool and not an official measuring instrument.

We can accept the following payment methods for online orders: Visa, Visa Debit and Mastercard.

Yes, your order can be delivered to a third party rather than your billing address, simply enter an alternative
shipping address at the checkout.

If you place your order before 2pm (GMT) it will be delivered on the next working day, unless it includes an engraved item, in which case it will take up to five working days to be delivered.

Yes, we are happy to provide a VAT receipt for your order on request, via email or post.

We hope that you are satisfied with your order from LOUIS XIII cognac, but should you wish to cancel your order for any reason then please follow the process below: To cancel, you must inform us in writing within fourteen days from the day after you received your delivery. Please contact our customer service team at CONCIERGERIE.UK@LOUISXIII-COGNAC.COM, and return your order in the same packaging and condition that it was received. Items are returned to us at your own cost. Once received, a full refund will be issued to you (including VAT, but excluding shipping costs).

No, we are unable to offer a same-day delivery service, but if you place your order by 2pm (GMT) we can deliver it on the next working day (excluding engraved items).

We offer FREE UK delivery for all orders.

Once you have placed your order we will email you to confirm that it has been received. When your order has been dispatched from our warehouse we will send an additional email to let you know that it’s on its way to you. You will also receive a notification from DPD to let you know when your
order is due to be delivered.

We hope that you are delighted with your order from LOUIS XIII cognac, but should you wish to return an item for any reason then please follow the returns process below: If your product is damaged or faulty then this must be reported to us within fourteen days of delivery. Please contact our customer service team at CONCIERGERIE.UK@LOUISXIII-COGNAC.COM or on +44 20 8152 4387 with details (including photographic evidence). If the item has been damaged during transit, or if there is an issue with the product label or the quality of the product then we will arrange for the item to be collected via DPD, and send you a return label and packaging, if required. Once we have received the item we will then send out a replacement item or arrange a refund. Refunds will include delivery charges. If you would like to return or exchange an unwanted item then please contact us within 14 days of delivery. Items are returned to us at your own cost. Once we have received the item we can either refund the cost of the item (including VAT but excluding shipping costs), or send out a replacement item in exchange.

If you have any questions relating to the status of your order then please contact our customer service team at CONCIERGERIE.UK@LOUISXIII-COGNAC.COM or on +44 20 8152 4387. Alternatively, you can contact the relevant courier company.