Michael Hepworth
an extremely rare find in the 140-year history of the venerable French cognac.
HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)4/8/13/–Extraordinary Discovery – Only the Second to Join Rare Cask Collection April 1, 2013 – Seldom do the forces of nature align to create the remarkable occurrence that is LOUIS XIII RARE CASK. The discovery of one unique barrel among the hundreds of century-old tierc?ons that will become LOUIS XIII, is indeed a miracle that cannot be explained or replicated by human intervention.
Such is LOUIS XIII RARE CASK 42,6, only the second distinctive barrel to be discovered in the venerable Cognac’s nearly 140-year history – reflecting the complex unpredictability of nature as well as the contributions of four generations of gifted cellar masters.
The rare blend offers an exquisite taste profile featuring an incredible richness and aromatic intensity, and an alcoholic strength of 42.6 percent alcohol by volume, slightly higher than the 40 percent of classic LOUIS XIII.
This exceptional tierc?on contains only enough cognac to produce 738 decanters of RARE CASK 42,6, which will be distributed to a select list of retailers worldwide beginning in May. Each decanter will be engraved with a unique number from 001 to 738.
Pierrette Trichet, Cellar Master of the House of Re?my Martin, first discovered this particular cask in 2009 during her usual tastings of the outstanding 40- to 100-year old eaux-de-vie aging in casks set aside for inclusion in the prestigious LOUIS XIII blend.
Noting its distinctive aromatic complexity, she began to follow its evolution more closely. As cognac is a living, mysterious product, nature had yet to perfect her masterpiece. In the fall of 2012, Pierrette and Deputy Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau tasted the contents of this cask and discovered it had finally achieved its long-awaited perfect point of balance.
LOUIS XIII RARE CASK 42,6 celebrates the classic LOUIS XIII blend of 1,200 eaux-de-vie, 100 years in the making, here featuring salient aromas that are unique to this one precious cask. Discovered in the fall, it appropriately features autumnal notes of plum and dates, mingling with flavors of gingerbread, prune stone and ginger, and punctuated by a final touch of tobacco leaf.
The first expression of RARE CASK, LOUIS XIII RARE CASK 43,8, was released in 2010 to great acclaim by connoisseurs throughout the world. While both feature exceptional aromatic intensity and the unique characteristics that distinguish LOUIS XIII, there are unique notes prominent in each. The first RARE CASK revealed notes of wild mushrooms and candied fruit, and an alcohol content of 43.8 percent ABV.
Ever since the extraordinary discovery of the first RARE CASK, Trichet has been looking for other casks to enrich this collection, like an explorer searching for a priceless gem. The casks she selects are kept a closely guarded secret. However, amongst the finest Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie currently earmarked for LOUIS XIII, there may be some that will eventually be used in the blend of a future RARE CASK.
The iconic black crystal decanter for the LOUIS XIII RARE CASK collection was created exclusively by Baccarat, utilizing all the skill and expertise of the famed crystal house’s talented masters. The decanter owes its shape to the famous LOUIS XIII bottle whose original design was inspired by a metal flask discovered on the site of a 16th century battle.
A team of more than 20 master craftsmen complete more than 50 steps in creating a single RARE CASK decanter, all of which must be carried out while maintaining the opaque crystal at a constant temperature. The LOUIS XIII RARE CASK 42,6 decanter is distinguished by its fine detailing: beautifully adorned with a 22 carat rose gold neck with delicately engraved quatrefoils patterns on both sides.
Decanters of LOUIS XIII RARE CASK 42,6 will be priced at approximately $22,000 (excluding sales tax). For more information on LOUIS XIII RARE CASK, visit www.rare-cask.com ; and for
About LOUIS XIII de Re?my Martin LOUIS XIII cognac was created in 1874 by the House of Re?my Martin, founded in 1724. It is an intricate alchemy blended from 1,200 eaux-de-vie, created from the chalky soils of Grande Champagne, the best growing area of the Cognac region, France.
This Cognac ages up to 100 years in specially crafted barrels called tierc?ons. Four generations of cellar masters have worked to oversee the unique blend, which evokes tasting notes and scents of myrrh, honey, immortelle, plum, honeysuckle, wood bark, leather and passion fruits, making it the most complex and most prestigious cognac in the world.
An unusually rich, aromatic taste profile and an alcoholic strength of 42.6 percent, slightly higher than classic LOUIS XIII, define this remarkable cognac. Only 738 decanters of RARE CASK, each individually engraved with a number, will be available globally beginning in May for a retail price of $22,000 (excluding sales tax).
Only twice in the company’s history has there been a discovery like this – one unique barrel among the hundreds of “tierçons” that will one day become LOUIS XIII.
LOUIS XIII, visit www.louis-xiii.com.
Michael Hepworth
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