Everybody knows how priceless even a sliver of the LOUIS XIII cognac is. Every drop you sip from the crystal decanter has been artfully selected at least a century ago by generations of Cellar Masters. Imagine, then, how much value is placed in the newly-launched LOUIS XIII Black Pearl AHD.
Fans of this luxury cognac will know that LOUIS XIII is made of a blend of up to 1,200 of the finest eaux-de-vie sourced 100% from Grande Champagne—the first cru of the Cognac region. Even the decanter it comes in is hand-blown by artisans, crafted out of fine crystal. The cognac itself is exquisite, with aromas of myrrh, honey, dried roses, plum, honeysuckle, cigar box, leather, figs, and passion fruit.

But even that is incomparable to rare blend housed in the latest limited-edition Black Pearl AHD. This blend is a signature of the cellar André Hériard Dubreuil, which is cooler, darker, and damper than the other cellars. It is precisely these conditions that give the eaux-de-vie extra notes of fresh, floral, and intensely earthy aromas. Alongside the signature aromas found in LOUIS XIII cognacs, the Black Pearl AHD also has scents of wet chalk and woody undergrowth for a smoother, earthier elegance.
To celebrate this special blend, even the new design of this decanter has been spared no expense. The steel-coloured Baccarat decanter is part of the Black Pearl collection, inspired by a royal flask found on the battlefield of Jarnac, fought in 1569, which was later acquired by Paul-Émile Rémy Martin in 1850. The making of this 35cl decanter is an inimitable work of art, hand-blown by extremely skilled artisans, later decorated in precious palladium plating.
Only 1,498 numbered Black Pearl AHD decanters are available, making this an extremely prized possession to anyone lucky enough to own one. Each decanter goes for US$13,000, approximately RM52,000.
Want your own decanter? Find out how you can get yours here.
(All images: LOUIS XIII)