A Taste Of Luxury

Ryan Smith, Jr.
May 4, 2020
2 min read

Join me on my guided tasting of Remy Martin's Louis XIII Cognac

Cognac is to Brandy as Champagne is to Sparkling Wine. Cognac is a distilled spirit made from wine. The eau de vie is made primarily from the fermented juice of Ugni Blanc grapes grown in one of the Champagne Crus of France before being double distilled in copper stills and aged in French oak barrels. Great care is taken to make sure that the grapes are grown and harvested in controlled conditions. The distilling and blending process are also watched very closely.

Recently, I was able to take part in a tasting of Louis XIII, a renowned cognac produced by Remy Martin that would run you around $4,000 a bottle, wholesale. Our tasting guide, Francois, took us on a journey allowing us to experience the spirit through each of our five sense.

It began with the feel of the specially made crystal tasting glasses as we began to examine the cognac in the light. The smooth carefully crafted glasses are designed to allow the cognac to breath while still concentrating the various aromas as you enjoy your sips. We continued to admired the amber color and the sunflower aesthetic produced by cognac in its natural vessel thanks in part to the crystal's design.

We were the guided through different levels of the aromas as we experienced the spices such as cinnamon and vanilla, the fruit such as plums, figs and apricots, the sweetness of butterscotch and caramel before finishing with the light warmth and smokiness echoing throughout. We did so by first engaging the aromas at waist level, then chest level before engaging at nose level with each presenting a different type of note that wasn't present previously. It allowed us to experience the careful blended eau de vies as intended.

Before we were able to get to the reason we were all there, it was time for the toast where we were delighted to the melodious sounds produced when the crystal glasses were struck together. Our guide went around the table lightly tapping each of our glasses allowing the rich ringing to echo through the room. It was then time to taste, but first with just a small drop to caress our lips before moving to a small sip as we tasted “time” as Francois put it, from the decades of blended to create the perfect cognac through their trained cellar master. The floral and fruity notes danced in the smooth harmony of the spirit as it coated our tongues. Both a taste and experience that lingered long after the sips left our palates.