The Ultimate Guide to Louis XIII Cognac

Louis XIII is one of the most expensive and exclusive Cognacs in the world. While Cognac is a fantastic spirit suitable for many occasions, it’s not as popular as it should be. It’s frequently overlooked for other spirits, most notably whisky, but it’s also a wonderful aged brandy that deserves your consideration. There are plenty of excellent Cognac brands, but Louis XIII is one of the few that has ascended to become a cultural icon and status symbol, mentioned in songs by top artists including Rihanna, Future, Ludacris, Nas, and Wiz Khalifa. However, it’s not just hype. Louis XIII is truly an unparalleled Cognac full of complexity and the best craftsmanship in the world. Discover everything you need to know in our ultimate guide to Louis XIII Cognac, including why it’s worth the price. 

In This Article

• What is Louis XIII Cognac?
  • Louis XIII Classic Decanter
  • Louis XIII Rare Cask Series
  • Louis XIII Black Pearl
• Who Makes Louis XIII Cognac?
• How Louis XIII Cognac Is Made
• How to Drink Louis XIII Cognac
• Is Louis XIII Cognac Worth It?
• How to Visit Louis XIII

The Ultimate Guide to Louis XIII Cognac

Becoming a Louis XIII Cognac connoisseur is something I’ve been very fortunate to achieve. Not only have I had the pleasure of tasting the superb Cognac many times, but I’ve been immersed in the brand’s world on several occasions, which has deepened my appreciation and understanding of what goes into creating Louis XIII. On one trip to Cognac, France, I visited the distillery, toured its extensive cellars, tasted the eaux-de-vie, and even planted a tree to be used in a future oak cask aging Louis XIII. I also traveled to Venice, Italy, to attend the global launch of Rare Cask 42.1, an exceptional occasion to try one of the brand’s rarest Cognacs. 

Most importantly, I’ve had many conversations with its cellar master, Baptiste Loiseau, that have shown me how much work goes into planning the future of a brand like Louis XIII. I’m thrilled to share my knowledge with you so that you can learn what makes Louis XIII Cognac so special. 

What Is Louis XIII Cognac?

Louis XIII is one of the most complex Cognacs in the world and was the first ultra-premium Cognac ever made. It was created in 1874 to be the pinnacle of Cognac. Each bottle contains up to 1,200 eaux-de-vie, exclusively using grapes grown in Grande Champagne, the premier cru region of Cognac, France. The eaux-de-vie age for decades — some more than 100 years — before they are blended. It’s an extremely complex Cognac, with multiple layers of aromas and flavors that can only develop with time. The flavors include sweet notes such as dried roses, honey, and plum alongside savory notes like leather and cigar box. It has an extremely long, pleasant finish, which is a good thing because it has such a high price. The liquid is a deep amber color, which reflects its long time aging in Limousin oak casks. 

It’s difficult to express how nuanced and balanced the Cognac is without trying it. There are several different types of Louis XIII Cognac: the signature expression, Rare Cask series, and Black Pearl limited editions. 

Louis XIII Classic Decanter

The brand’s signature expression is Louis XIII Cognac in the classic decanter. Each crystal decanter is hand-cut, blown, and engraved with fleur-de-lys. History and time are very important to Louis XIII Cognac, so of course the decanter has historical importance. It is modeled after a 16th-century flask discovered on a battlefield in France. This retails for $4,999 and is the expression you’ll find in most restaurants and bars. 

Louis XIII The Miniature and The Drop

If the Classic Decanter is out of your budget, but you still want to try Louis XIII, there is a solution. You can buy a glass of Louis XIII at top bars and restaurants around the world, or you can buy the Miniature version. This diminutive crystal decanter holds 5cl of the original Louis XIII Cognac, just enough for a single glass. It also comes in the brand’s signature red coffret (gift box) and has an 18K gold-plated neck. It fits in your pocket and is very cute. Louis XIII also sells an even smaller bottle, the Drop, which you can put in a leather carrier and take with you wherever you go. It has a simple decanter with screw top, so it’s more portable than the Miniature. The Drop contains 1cl of Louis XIII and comes in a collection of five bottles. 

Louis XIII Rare Cask Series

The maison has released only three Rare Cask editions, which is refreshing in the spirits world, where some brands release a new one every year — or even multiple times a year. When the cellar master comes across a tierçon — a type of oak cask — that is so spectacular that they don’t want to blend it, they set it aside to watch its development as it ages. Sometimes, the tierçon will return to the final blend of Louis XIII, but some are so exquisite that they release it as a Rare Cask edition.

These bottlings are limited to that single cask, around 775 decanters in total, so it’s extremely difficult to find one. Only top collectors have the privilege to purchase one at retail. Each is named for the ABV, which differs between each release. Rare Cask editions are released about once a decade. Louis XIII unveiled Rare Cask 43.8 in 2009 and Rare Cask 42.6 in 2013.  

Rare Cask 42.1

The most recent was Rare Cask 42.1, which was released in 2023. It was the first Rare Cask under the current cellar master, Baptiste Loiseau. Rare Cask 42.1 comes in a striking black crystal Baccarat decanter that is a work of art itself. Twenty artisans work on each decanter, and the process includes more than 50 steps. The neck is decorated with gold and rhodium for a special touch. It comes in a set with matching black crystal glasses and a serving pipette with a black crystal medallion. The global launch took place in Venice, Italy. 

Rare Cask 42.1 has strong floral notes, including lilac and iris, alongside rich chocolate and tropical fruits like passion fruit. This sweetness is balanced by some herbaceous notes, including thyme, as well as tobacco and leather. It’s recognizable as Louis XIII, but it has even more complexity and nuance. 

The retail price is $50,000, but it will go for far higher on the secondary market. There are a few ways to try it without purchasing a bottle, including a special offering at the St. Regis Venice. The Rare Cask experience includes a stay in the Santa Maria Suite, butler service, and a tasting on the suite terrace. It is available through the end of 2024 and is priced at 7,550 euros per night. 

Louis XIII Black Pearl

The only other limited-edition releases from the maison are the Louis XIII Black Pearl editions. In 2007, it released the first in collaboration with Baccarat. In 2014, Louis XIII released another limited Black Pearl edition to celebrate its 140th anniversary. Both came from a single tierçon, and only 775 decanters were released. The Black Pearl is noted for its metallic-looking crystal Baccarat decanter. Baccarat plated the clear crystal with several layers of material, including titanium, carbon, and gold, to create this unique mirrored effect. The metallic look is an homage to the metal flask that inspired the crystal decanter design. The Black Pearl is no longer available at retail, but you can find it on the secondary market, although you will have to pay a steep premium.  

Who Makes Louis XIII Cognac?

The House of Rémy Martin, part of the family-owned French spirits group Rémy Cointreau, makes Louis XIII and Rémy Martin Cognacs. Rémy Martin was founded in 1724 and was a pioneer in the Cognac industry. In 1874, Paul-Émile Rémy Martin, great-grandson of the company’s founder and namesake Rémy Martin, decided to create the most special Cognac the house had ever made. He searched the cellars for the oldest eaux-de-vie the house had to craft a special blend to be presented in a decanter decorated with fleur-de-lys, thus creating the first-ever ultra-premium Cognac. 

The name Louis XIII pays homage to the French king, who recognized Cognac as a type of brandy deserving of its own name. It was an instant hit, and Rémy Martin produced more Louis XIII and shipped it worldwide, from the US to China, in the late 1800s. The Cognac was even part of the Universal Exposition in Paris in 1900. 

Loiseau works on both Louis XIII and Rémy Martin Cognacs. However, since the eaux-de-vie in Louis XIII Cognac age for decades, the Cognac you drink today was made by multiple hands. Loiseau is only the fifth cellar master, and he uses the work of previous generations of cellar masters when he selects the eaux-de-vie for today’s blends. In addition, he is laying down casks of the best eaux-de-vie for future cellar masters to use in their blends. This method of making Louis XIII led to one of the company’s ideals of thinking 100 years ahead in every decision they make today. 

How Louis XIII Cognac Is Made

Each bottle of Louis XIII begins with white grapes grown in Grande Champagne, the premier cru of Cognac. It makes a still white wine from the grapes, then distills it twice in copper pot stills. This new spirit is called “eau-de-vie.” Next, the various eaux-de-vie age in French Limousin oak casks for decades before blending. You can learn more about how Cognac is made in our guide. 

Aging Process

This aging process is what separates Louis XIII Cognac from most others. The house has a collection of ancient oak casks that are more than 100 years old called tierçons. A tierçon is different from a traditional oak cask — a barrique — in several ways. It has a larger capacity, it’s taller, and the wood staves are .6 inch instead of 1 inch thick. Most importantly, tierçons fell out of favor and few are left; production ceased in 1917. This means that the tierçons have had long lives and contained many different eaux-de-vie. 

As an eau-de-vie ages, the wood from the barrel absorbs some of the liquid, which is called the angel’s share, and the liquid becomes more concentrated. Each barrel therefore imparts its own flavor into the spirit it ages. In 2017, Louis XIII began making new tierçons, but they won’t be ready to hold the final blends of its Cognac for decades. First, they will age other eaux-de-vie and develop their unique seasoning. 

Once the eaux-de-vie have aged, Loiseau samples them to decide which are ready for blending, using up to 1,200. He strives for consistency in the signature expression. The most special eaux-de-vie are set aside for further study and might become part of a limited-edition release one day, although these are exceedingly few and far between at Louis XIII, as the signature blend is already so special and rare. 

How to Drink Louis XIII Cognac

Drinking a glass of Louis XIII Cognac is an experience to be savored, and the brand has created a full ritual around the tasting. 

Facets of Louis XIII Glasses

For a Cognac this special, only a custom glass will do. Louis XIII partnered with crystal masters to craft a glass specifically designed to complement its Cognac. Each glass is mouth-blown and finished by hand, including carving individual facets into the crystal. These facets give the glass a brilliant sparkle. The glasses are rather thick and robust, in contrast to many delicate wine glasses and brandy snifters. This serves a purpose too. When you cheers using these glasses, they emit a relatively loud, clear chime. To do this, clink the widest part of the glasses together. Start carefully, but you can use more force than you think to make a sound as clear as a bell. It’s one of my favorite cheers to make — the chime is brilliantly clear, and it’s quite fun to do. 

Louis XIII Spear

Louis XIII makes a stainless-steel spear that you can use to precisely draw the Cognac from the decanter. This means you’ll take out only as much as you need for a tasting, and you won’t risk spilling any of the precious liquid. The spear is modeled after the pipette the cellar master uses to taste the eaux-de-vie in each cask. 

Tasting Louis XIII Cognac

As with all spirits, you’ll want to taste it slowly. First, nose the glass without swirling too much. The high ABV can make it unpleasant to inhale if you’ve swirled it vigorously. Once you’ve savored the aromas, take a very small sip — just a drop — to acclimate your palate to the alcohol and get your first taste. Think about the flavors, and see how long the finish lasts. 

Once you’ve had a minute to think about the Cognac, take a slightly larger sip to enjoy the smooth mouthfeel and more of the flavors. With a spirit this elegant and expensive, you won’t want to take large sips or mix it in a cocktail. (I recommend its sister brand, Rémy Martin, for Cognac cocktails.) When you taste Louis XIII, you’ll find a complex array of flavors, including floral notes, earthy tobacco, and cigar box, plus rich caramel and honey. 

Is Louis XIII Cognac Worth It?

Since it is one of the most expensive Cognacs, many people wonder if Louis XIII is worth the price. The answer is yes, especially if you are a spirits connoisseur. The eye-popping price tag alone is what makes it one of the most desired Cognacs, but it’s not expensive just for the sake of being expensive. It takes a minimum of 70 years to age all of the eaux-de-vie in the Louis XIII blend. That’s not counting the 200 years it takes for the oak trees to grow large enough to make the special casks (tierçons) that Louis XIII uses to age its Cognac. This is a huge financial investment, so it’s priced accordingly. 

In addition, each bottle of Louis XIII contains up to 1,200 eaux-de-vie, exclusively using grapes grown in the Grande Champagne region of Cognac, France. The Cognac comes in a gorgeous crystal decanter. Each decanter is hand-cut, blown, and engraved with Louis XIII’s signature fleur-de-lys. History and time are very important to Louis XIII Cognac, so of course the decanter has historical importance. It is modeled after a 16th-century flask discovered on a battlefield in France. 

If the $4,999 price is more than you’re looking to spend, Louis XIII also makes two smaller versions. The Miniature contains 50ml of the original Louis XIII spirit, enough for one or two drinks, in a diminutive Baccarat decanter, and the Drop has 10ml, enough for a sip. 

How to Visit Louis XIII

Louis XIII offers fantastic estate tours in Cognac. This six-hour experience is completely private with a personal guide to take you around. You’ll visit the Grande Champagne vineyards, aging cellars, and historic maison, and private rooms will be opened for you. In addition, you can visit the Grollet family estate, where many of the tierçons are aged. There’s a gastronomic component, too. Depending on the time of your visit, you’ll enjoy a fabulous lunch in the former distillery, which is quite an experience. It includes not one, but two tastings of Louis XIII during your visit. 

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