Exclusive Ghana tasting experience of Louis XIII Cognac

Last week, Jorg Pfutzner, the Private Client Director for Louis XIII of the House of Rémy Martin toured select West African cities including Accra, Abuja and Lagos for a series of exclusive tasting experiences with Louis XIII, the world's most exquisite cognac.

The Accra session was hosted on the 19th of July at the Alliance Motors Ghana showroom and attended by an intimate group of cognac and luxury enthusiasts including Bola Ray, CEO of both the EIB Network Group and Empire Entertainment, Ramchand Udharam Mohinani, Chairman of the Mohinani Group, Elton Afari of Cosmopolitan Insurance, Alican Sunal of Kempinski Accra, and Prakash Basarmalani, Managing Director of Ezone Electronics.

First created in 1874, LOUIS XIII Cognac is an exquisite blend of up to 1,200 grapes eaux-de-vie (water of life) sourced 100% from Grande Champagne, the first cru of the Cognac region. Each eau-de-vie is matured slowly inside of an oak cask for up to 100 years. The individually numbered decanters are designed after an original 16th-century metal flask, discovered on the site of the battle of Jarnac in France and are made from fine Baccarat crystal, mouth-blown by some of the most skilled master craftsmen.

"Louis XIII is regarded as the most luxurious spirit on the planet with an intricate alchemy which takes four generations of Cellar Masters 100 years to craft every decanter making it known as a century in a bottle," shares Pfutzner who educates guests throughout the world on the history, heritage and art of experiencing Louis XIII.

During the tasting with Pfutzner which is considered a once in a lifetime experience, he expertly led guests through the Louis XIII history and approach to fully experience the prestigious spirit. In the opening ceremony and serving ritual, Pfutzner poured the precious liquid from the iconic crystal decanter into specially designed Louis XIII crystal glasses. Bespoke canapes prepared by Santoku restaurant were paired to complement and enhance Louis XIII's unique flavours.

A video was premiered featuring the partnership between Louis XIII and producer, Pharrell Williams for the "100 Years" song Williams produced which is set to be released in 2117, a 100 years from the time it was created. The song is an original creative composition, an expression of the delicate relationship between nature, time, the impact of humans on the environment, and a reflection of the100 year maturation process of Louis XIII.

"Both Louis XIII and Alliance Motors share a commitment to excellence and a unique understanding of craftsmanship that make us perfect partners to highlight the luxury and artistry of one of the world's most exquisite cognacs. Our clients reflect refined and globalized tastes that welcome the opportunity to discover and experience Louis XIII," said Salman Ali, the Marketing Manager of Alliance Motors Ghana who hosted the tasting experience in their spacious showroom amidst a collection of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.

"The legend of LOUIS XIII has been traced by exceptional individuals, extraordinary places and the hand of history itself. I was thrilled to share my passion for Louis XIII for the first time in Ghana," adds Pfutzner who had guests sign a memory book which features written thoughts and mementos by clients throughout Africa sharing their Louis XIII experience. The book will ultimately be stored at the House of Remy Martin in Cognac, France for future generations to discover Louis XIII client's personal legacies.

For over a century, LOUIS XIII has been synonymous with refinement the world over. It has been a witness to many of the most significant events of our age: it was exhibited at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1900 and soon established itself as a symbol of French taste and sophistication. In the years that followed, it captivated the royal courts of Europe and became a permanent feature at the most prestigious hotels. The first decanter of Louis XIII was sold in Africa in 1881 to a client in Capetown, South Africa. The brand's proud legacy endures today as LOUIS XIII continues to transcend Time.