LOUIS XIII "Quest for a Legend"

Just recently, Remy Martin has launched a worldwide search for the oldest and rarest decanter of LOUIS XIII on earth. Entitled "Quest for a Legend", the launch was held at the new integrated resort at the Entertainment City in Pasay, City of Dreams Manila inside Crown's The Tasting Room.

To cognac drinkers, Louis XIII is know to have established itself to be the most premium cognac drink right now. Tracing back as early as 1870's, the drink from Europe has set sail for the US and throughout Asia like Singapore, Malaysia, India and Philippines then and all over the world.

Louis XIII with Pillet Glass & Candle Holders.

What makes LOUIS XIII special is a complex blend of 1,200 eaux-de-vie (spirit) into an exquisitely designed decanter. Oh and not to mention, more than a 100 years of age.

Marie-Amélie Jacquet - Louis XIII

Marie-Amélie Jacquet is the Financial Planning and Analysis Manager in Rémy Cointreau’s Global Trade Retail division. She is also a 4th generation family who has been running the Remy Martin cognac house for 90 years. She shared with us the passion and art that goes into every bottle of the Louis XIII. "The "Quest for a Legend" gives gives enthusiasts and fans of the brand to be part of the brand's history" shared Jacquet.

Christophe Bourrie, Regional Director (SEA, India and Middle East) of LOUIS XIII.

Christophe Bourrie who is the Regional Director (SEA, India and Middle East) of LOUIS XIII also graced the event. Bourrie shares, “We are proud to be the first region to lead the ‘Quest for a Legend’, in search of the rarest and most unique decanter. LOUIS XIII set foot on the shores of Singapore, Calcutta and Penang in 1881 and by 1883 it had reached Manila”

The "Quest for a Legend" goal is to search for hidden and the rarest decanters across the globe. Those in the Philippines may send details and photos of their LOUIS XIII bottle via SMS Text, Whatsapp or to the local RémyMartin office. Entries can also be submitted online at www.louisxiii-cognac.com/questforalegend

In the market right now, a LOUIS XIII bottle costs a little more than P 100,000. Of course hotel price is higher. Collectors and professional cognac drinkers would say that a LOUIS XIII bottle is a premium cognac and a really good drink. Mixed and aged perfectly.

During the dinner, they gave out glasses of LOUIS XIII. Which was was an exciting moment for most of the people who attended the event for it would be the first time that we would be able to taste a cognac this good. I stared at the glass and humbled myself.

Here are my tips in drinking a the 100 year old LOUIS XIII Cognac.

1. First is to appreciate it. Lift it up and look at amber beauty.

2. At an arms length, try to get a whiff of the fine cognac. From there, you can get a very delicate flowery scents.

3. Move it closer and tilt the glass to the side and sniff it like wine. There you will notice some nutty flavors, hazelnut, oak and some spice notes. Also there is the smell of vanilla and honey.

4. Take a sip. Recommended is a small drop to coat your palate and so that your mouth will be ready for the explosion.

5. Pleasant finish.

You will notice the fireworks of over 200 flavors. Of course my palate is not trained for something delicate, refined and complex such as this cognac but I do see the art and i can taste the quality that was put into this spirit.

Here are the mechanics of the competition.

· Contest entry period is between 3 February 2015 and 31 March 2015

· To enter the competition, participants in the competition must send photos of their unopened LOUIS XIII bottlevia SMS Text, Whatsapp or to the local Rémy Martin office. Entries can also be submitted online at www.louisxiii-cognac.com/questforalegend

· Participants need to provide their full name, age, ID, contact information, nationality and details on how they obtained the bottle of LOUIS XIII

· Participants can submit more than one bottle

· The LOUIS XIII team will follow up with each submission individually

· The winner will be chosen by and expert committee who will assess each bottle with a set criteria

· Rémy Cointreau International (RCI) reserves the right to make the final decision

Terms & conditions:
Participants
· Must be the legal owner of the bottle
· Must be citizens or residents of the participating countries in SEAMI
· Must be 18 years and above, 25 years of age for India
· Must agree to absolve LOUIS XIII/RCI from any liability with regard to handling of the entry bottle

Bottle
· The bottle must be unopened, with at least 50% of original liquid (this will be verified by RCI and the House of Rémy Martin)

Prize
The prize is a trip to the Rémy Martin Estate in Cognac, France which includes:
· Two return Business class air tickets
· Two first class return train tickets between Paris and Angouleme
· Car pick up transfer to the Estate
· A hosted lunch at the Estate
· Guided Tour of the Estate, grounds, cellars and distillery
· A tasting of LOUIS XIII and Dinner
· One night’s accommodation in Cognac

Now how's that for a prize? Full terms and conditions will be made available at a later date. So, calling all collectors and fans of the brand, it is time to join the quest and be part of the legend.

During the event, Remy Martin also unveiled the first ever LOUIS XIII RARE CASK in the Philippines and was turned over to the first owner City of Dreams Manila. Worth more than 1 Million pesos. This cognac is the second edition of Louis XIII rare Cask bottled in 738 Baccarat black crystal decanters. That's right, only 738 bottles made all over the world. This is actually the second Rare Cask that Pierrette Trichet found to be different, rare and unusual in aroma and a much gentler Cognac. The neck band is made of 22-karat rose gold, and the decanter comes in a sliding double-door presentation case that activates a subtle but dramatic LED illumination of the bottle when opened. The designated ‘42.6’, a reference to the liquid's unadulterated alcohol content.

Mr. Kevin Sim, Christophe Bourrie and Marie-Amélie Jacquet

For more info on the Quest, check out the exclusive video content at www.louisxiii-cognac.com/questforalegend you may also browse on social media site with the hashtag “#QuestforaLegend” and “#LOUISXIII.\

More photos during the event.