Big news in the world of rarefied spirits. The House of Rémy Martin, the legendary cognac producer, is releasing a brand new batch of its Louis XIII Rare Cask line. To give you an idea of just how big that news is, this is only the third time in the company’s history that the House has released a single-cask Louis XIII offering, rather than a blended cognac.

Traditionally, Louis XIII is created by blending the oldest and rarest eaux-de-vie. But, in 2004, cellar master Pierrette Trichet found a tierçon (cask) so unusual in aroma and bouquet that she designated it as a single, unblended cognac, which became known as Rare Cask 43.8.

Then, in 2009, Trichet, with the help of her deputy Baptiste Loiseau, discovered another cask that was just as unique. Thus, Rare Cask 42.6 (the numbers refer to the percentage of alcohol by volume) was born.

Now, it’s happened again. The third iteration of Rare Cask was found by Loiseau, who took over from Trichet to become the fifth-generation cellar master at Louis XIII. “A year ago, I noticed something subtle and extraordinary about a singular tierçon. It had been almost 10 years since discovering the last Rare Cask, and then the gift from nature came,” said Loiseau, of the discovery.

Only 775 decanters are to be released, each requires more than 50 operations to produce and is hand-crafted from rare black crystal by famed French jeweller Baccarat. The decanters feature gold-and-rhodium finished necks and are accompanied by Pillet crystal glasses and a serving pipette featuring an ornate black medallion.

For cognac connoisseurs unable to stretch to the not-exactly-inconsiderable investment needed to secure a decanter – available exclusively through Harrods from 20 June 2023 – good news. From 1 June 2023, the Rare Cask 42.1 will be available to taste by the glass at the recently refurbished Vesper Bar at The Dorchester Hotel representing a rare opportunity to sample this most sophisticated of spirit. Book your table here.

See you there.

£47,000, available at Harrods from 20 June, visit uk.louisxiii-cognac.com for more.