Louis XIII at Mott 32: Celebrating 150 Exceptional Years

Story: Leslie Yip Boucher-Harris

Although 150 years is but a fleeting moment in the human history, through the efforts of generations over a century and a half, Rémy Martin has crafted the classic Louis XIII, establishing itself as the king of Cognac and leaving behind a legendary story that continues to captivate.

A celebration marking the 150th anniversary of Louis XIII was recently held at the renowned Chinese restaurant Mott 23 in Toronto. Anne-Laure Pressat, Global Executive Director of Louis XIII, and Jean-Philippe Hecquet, Rémy Martin and Louis XIII’s Global CEO, were present to join guests in this extraordinary gathering. eliteGen was honored to be invited to witness this wonderful moment(click here to watch the video).

The dinner was filled with an enchanting atmosphere, where the luxurious and grand banquet hall of Mott 23, rich in Asian elegance, beautifully complemented the classical and noble aura of Louis XIII. The simple yet exquisite soup dumplings paired with the luxurious and expensive Louis XIII Cognac created an unexpected combination, symbolizing the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between the East and West, as well as the harmonious fusion of tradition and modern spirit. The meaning behind this pairing is truly awe-inspiring.

Looking back at the birth and development of Louis XIII, it is a testament to the accumulation of history and culture. In 1874, Paul-Emile Rémy Martin, fifth generation of his family, had a treasure within his grasp: precious drops of the House of Rémy Martin’s oldest and finest eaux-de-vie from Cognac Grande Champagne. He decided to compose the ultimate expression of his family’s legacy, giving rise to the first rebirth of an extraordinary spirit.

He looked to the past for inspiration and had become enchanted by a rare 16th century ‘Gourde Annulaire’, its circular form signifying perfection and harmony in Renaissance aesthetics. Building upon this, a distinctive Louis XIII Cognac bottle was created, adorned with a fleur-de-lis emblem at its center, a champagne gold neck, 13 crystal florets on each side, and a unique stopper that reflects the shape of the bottle.

The quest for the utmost quality of Louis XIII begins with the vines exclusively sourced from the terroir of Grande Champagne, the premier cru of Cognac. These vines produce grapes of exceptional aromatic quality, and later-on, eaux-de-vie with a remarkable aging potential. Each year, Louis XIII Cellar Master and his tasting committee select less than 1% of eaux-de-vie produced in Grande Champagne and set them aside to age in rare oak tiercons in the cellars. Over the past 150 years, this has led to the creation of highly artistic and luxurious limited editions, including The Time Collection 1874 Edition, The Origin-1874, L’Odyssée d’un Roi, The Infinity Experience-2022, The Drop-2022, and Rare Cask 42.1-2023.

Hecquet stated: “The 150-year legacy of Louis XIII illustrates perfectly our relentless pursuit of excellence. From the vineyards to the decanter, we dedicate ourselves to upholding the highest standards, ensuring this exceptional cognac continues to inspire for the coming centuries.”

The achievements of Louis XIII over the past 150 years are truly remarkable, but it has not rested on its past glory. The 150th anniversary celebration was both a reflection and a new beginning. Louis XIII aims to ensure its eternal legacy in the future, continually redefining the brand’s story.

At the dinner, Pressat remarked: “Louis XIII was there 150 years ago and will be there in 150 years, while we are only passing through. This 150th anniversary gives an even greater resonance to the weight of its living legacy, which we must preserve for the future generations while continuing to break the codes of our era.”