LOUIS XIII Cognac Unveils Rare Black Pearl Expression Inspired by Le Grollet
LOUIS XIII Cognac has officially released BLACK PEARL: TRIBUTE TO THE BIRTHPLACE OF LOUIS XIII, a limited-edition expression within its flagship Black Pearl collection. Inspired by Le Grollet—the historic cellar where the brand originated—the release pays homage to the microclimate and unique aging conditions of the original estate. Limited to 398 decanters worldwide, the release is available through the LOUIS XIII network of private client directors at a suggested retail price of $28,000.
To complement the release, Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau developed a temperature-driven tasting ritual designed to mimic the exact ambient conditions of the Le Grollet cellar. Each decanter is housed in a bespoke, temperature-controlled cooling display that maintains the liquid at 13°C (55.4°F). As the cognac gradually warms to room temperature in the glass, its profile evolves from initial notes of beeswax, honey, and precious wood to deeper facets of warm spices, nutmeg, rich rancio, and dark chocolate.
The blend centers around a rare eau-de-vie selected by Loiseau from the house's historic demijohn collection, carrying an aromatic signature originally identified by his predecessor, Pierrette Trichet. The liquid was subsequently infused into a single hand-selected tierçon oak barrel to complete the aging process. The physical decanter features custom midnight-blue reflections designed to mirror the dark atmosphere of the original cellar space.
In addition to direct client purchases, select high-end hospitality venues in major global markets—including New York, Paris, London, Shanghai, and Kuala Lumpur—will offer the expression by the glass, allowing guests to experience the cooling cellar tasting process firsthand.
To discover more about the BLACK PEARL: TRIBUTE TO THE BIRTHPLACE OF LOUIS XIII and purchase, visit www.louisxiii-cognac.com. Decanters are available for an SRP of $28,000 through the LOUIS XIII network of private client directors.