One of the world’s best cognacs: Louis XIII Remy Martin

I was fortunate enough to be sent a miniature of Louis XIII Remy Martin cognac last week, from the House of Rémy Martin which was established in 1724.  This is no ordinary cognac – it is blended from no less than 1,200 eaux-de-vie (fruit brandies), all from Grande Champagne, and aged in century-old Limousin oak casks.  A 70cl decanter of the cognac will set you back around €1,500. And, on 15th June 2011, Rémy Martin launched a highly exclusive Jeroboam bottle (3 litres, so more than 4 times the regular bottle) of Louis XIII, the decanter handedcrafted by skilled craftsmen at Cristallerie de Sèvres, making it a must-have for any serious collector, and with a price tag of €16,000. The bouquet brings with it the incredibly rich and intense aged oak casks (known as tiercons). As for the taste, this is a cognac that certainly won’t disappoint.  Hints of fruits, spices, jasmine and passion fruit are united, and intertwine with ginger and nutmeg.  Rose, iris, fig and prune all enter the mix, too, as your taste buds revel in the expertise of no less than four generations of the House of Rémy Martin cellarmasters.