Louis Xiii De Rémy Martin – One Century In A Bottle Recipe

Prepare glass by rinsing

Pour 1 tsp of Louis XIII into the snifter, swirl to coat the interior to warm and release aromatics, then discard or sip as a palate primer. This primes the glass and honors the spirit.

Measure the pour

Using a jigger or bar spoon, measure 2 tablespoons (roughly a standard 1.5–2 oz tasting pour depending on service) of Louis XIII and gently pour into the prepared snifter.

Decide on dilution

Taste the neat cognac first. If you prefer a slightly more open, softer palate, add 1 tsp chilled filtered water to the glass. Add the water dropwise with a bar spoon, swirl gently, and re-evaluate.

Add ice (optional)

If the guest prefers chilled, place a single large clear ice sphere or one large ice cube into the glass using tongs. Allow it to sit for a short moment; do not aggressively stir. The slow melt will gently open the spirit without diluting too quickly.

Express orange oils

Use a peeler or small knife to remove a wide strip of orange peel. Hold the peel over the glass and give it a quick twist (skin side down) to express the citrus oils onto the surface of the cognac. Rub the rim lightly with the peel to add a subtle citrus note. Drop the peel into the glass if desired.

Optional herb bouquet

For a slight herbal accent, gently clap a fresh thyme sprig between your hands to release its aroma and hold it over the glass for the guest to inhale while tasting; do not steep the herb in the cognac unless requested.

Present and guide tasting

Serve the snifter to the guest with the stem between fingers so they can warm the cognac slightly. Encourage 3 stages of tasting: aroma (take short sniffs), the first sip (let the spirit coat the tongue), and the finish (note the length and complexity). Offer small sips of water on the side to cleanse the palate between pours or to further adjust dilution. Throughout service, treat the bottle and pour with care and respect—Louis XIII is best enjoyed slowly.

If multiple pours are requested, repeat the measuring and optional dilution steps. Keep track of total volume served and consult the guest on preferred serving size. Always store the bottle upright and away from direct sunlight when not in use.