Rémy Martin is releasing two limited-edition cognacs of exceptional quality: Louis XIII The Legacy (a spirit that’s essentially the handiwork of four cellar masters brought together) and Carte Blanche à Baptiste Loiseau (No. 2)—a distinctive blend that perfectly illustrates cellar master Loiseau’s style and that of the House of Rémy Martin.
Carte Blanche, which I just had the pleasure of tasting just two weeks ago, blows the mind. Cellar master, Baptiste Loiseau, has certainly outdone himself with this release, which was matured in a single vat for 27 years: Its finish is unusually long and smooth. And the plum and cinnamon notes make it remarkable in the sense that you get an extraordinary balance of sweetness and spice. Bottled at 42% straight out of the vat, it is what we would call cask- or barrel-strength in America. So there’s no question that this is one bottle you’ll want to get your hands on. NB: Only 2,000 bottles (at $500 SRP) are allocated for the U.S. market. And if you find yourself out of luck in your local liquor stores, there’s always Whisky Exchange (my go-to for all hard-to-find spirits).
Baptiste Loiseau has certainly outdone himself with this release, which was matured in a single vat for 27 years: Its finish is unusually long and smooth. And the plum and cinnamon notes make it remarkable in the sense that you get an extraordinary balance of sweetness and spice.
Another element that I loved about Carte Blanche à Baptiste Loiseau was the fact that its packaging appealed more to younger cognac consumers, with its sleek lines and straightforward label. It’s certainly not your great-grandfather’s cognac. And while its price point may not be inexpensive, it’s also very reasonable for the quality that you’re getting. In my household, we call it a “buy–two situation.”
On the higher end of the spectrum, Louis XIII The Legacy is what I would call a real investment—something you save for a momentous occasion. (It’s $15,000 USD and can only be acquired through the Louis XIII concierge because only 500 decanters were made.) The cognac contains around 1,200 eaux-de-vie sourced 100% from Grande Champagne and is a collaboration between current cellar master, Loiseau, and his predecessors—André Giraud, Georges Clot, and Pierrette Trichet.
Four cellar masters—André Giraud, Georges Clot, Pierrette Trichet, and Baptiste Loiseau—collaborated to create Louis XIII The Legacy
“Crafting Louis XIII is like building a cathedral, every generation leaves their mark on the masterpiece,” said Ludovic du Plessis, global executive director of Louis XIII, in a press release. “The cellar masters have all contributed to the history of Louis XIII, perpetuating a savoir-faire which Baptiste Loiseau now upholds. These men and women are the cornerstones of Louis XIII.”
And this particular cognac is not just about the liquid gold that goes into the Baccarat decanter. Enthusiasts like me will go for the details of the packaging: The coffret is not crafted in its traditional deep red color. Instead, it’s bordering on taupe. Then here’s the fun part: All four cellar masters—Giraud, Clot, Trichet, and Loiseau—signed each and every bottle.
There are only 500 decanters of Louis XIII The Legacy—and enthusiasts will have to go through the Louis XIII concierge to purchase one.
“Louis XIII is a wave of time that comes from afar and carries you away. When my predecessor, Pierrette Trichet, first initiated me into the tasting, I could sense the patience that went into crafting its complex blend and feel the honor of being able to pursue the work of past generations,” Loiseau said. “I still feel that honor every day and I am grateful to have worked alongside Pierrette for seven years before assuming my role as the next cellar master. Just like my predecessors before me, as cellar masters we dedicate our lives to creating a masterpiece that we will never experience—and I look forward to keeping the legacy alive for the future by passing on the heritage of Louis XIII to the next generation.”
Source: Karla Alindahao
