“Reveal a Secret Treasure”
Created in Cognac in 1874, LOUIS XIII sets out to make its mark in various parts of the world. In 1881, this fine French elixir reaches the shores of Asia to be savoured from China to Hong Kong and of course, Singapore.
Launched 140 years ago by Paul Emile Remy Martin, LOUIS XIII is a timeless legacy, passed down from cellar master to cellar master. Since the late 19th century, it has been the prestigious cognac of choice at great royal courts, from the Tsar of Russia to the Court of Siam, sealing its status as the true cognac of kings.
The “Quest for a Legend” seeks to find hidden decanters of distinctive value across the globe; the rarest LOUIS XIII decanters might be locked in a French chateau, stowed in a hidden island or on display in a penthouse in Singapore.
Today, the house of LOUIS XIII invites private collectors in Singapore, Malaysia, India and Philipines to unveil their treasures in this first ever quest to discover these gems. LOUIS XIII collectors in Singapore who believe they are in possession of the rarest decanters are encouraged to send details and photos of their LOUIS XIII bottle to the local Remy Martin Office. More details will be explained at the end of this article.
Owners of the rarest decanter found will win the grand prize of a visit to the Remy Martin Estate in Cognac, France.
I was kindly invited to the media launch at Raffles Hotel, where we were addressed by Xavier Sesaulles, Managing Director SE Asia Middle East India, as well as Marie-Amelie Jacquet, the fourth Generation of the Heriard Dubreuil family which has run the prestigious Cognac house of Remy Martin for over 90 years.
The media launch is also accompanied by a fine lunch below:
Duck Foie Gras Terrine. Amaranth Popcorn, Pineapple Kunquat Chutney.
Pan-Fried Black Cod. Young Zucchini Risotto, Romaine Salad, Truffle Jus.
Dark Chocolate Praline.
And of course, we finished off the meal with a sampling of the rare LOUIS XIII, served in a crystal glass no less than 100 Euros in cost. This royal cognac is a complex blend of 1200 eaux-de-vie enjoyed only by a select few for more than a century. There are over 250 different flavours in one sip, and a bottle typically retails for about $4000-$5000 SGD off the shelf. Aromas include lime, apricot, hay, passionfruit, oakwood, coffee and even cigar box, leather and many exotic scents beyond my palate to imagine.
This complex cognac pairs exceedingly well with the dark chocolate praline which brings out the subtle sweetness.
Truly a cognac fit for kings.
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To join the “Quest For a Legend”, participants must send photos of their unopened LOUIS XIII bottle via SMS or whatsapp to the local Remy Martin office, or they can also submit their entries online at www.louisxiii-cognac.com.
Participants need to provide their full name, age, ID, contact info, nationality and details on how they obtained their bottle of LOUIS XIII. Participants are allowed to submit more than 1 bottle.
The winner will be chosen by an expert committee which assesses each bottle with a set criteria.
The prize is a return trip to the Remy Martin Estate in Cognac, France on Business Class as well as a guided tour of the estate, grounds, cellars and distillery. Tasting are to be expected and a one night accommodation in Cognac is provided.
