The uncovering of a Rare Cask is a unique moment in the life of a Louis XIII Cellar Master, as such a spontaneous, rare occurrence may never happen in a single lifetime. Through three unique blends of unguessable yet anticipated perfection, the Rare Cask collection pays testimony to the legacy of the House and successive Cellar Masters. “While the singularity of a Rare Cask rests on a miracle given by nature, the know-how that is necessary to its creation was born from a transmission of an art, from generation to generation, where each cellar master perpetuates the gestures of his predecessors,” says Baptiste Loiseau.
Louis XIII Rare Cask 42.1 is the first edition of the Rare Cask collection to be presented as a ritual set. The black crystal decanter is accompanied by crystal glasses ornated with black quatrefoils and a serving pipette featuring a black medallion. The forming of each decanter is a demonstration of the juxtaposition of art and savoir-faire. Inspired by a flask unearthed on the battlefield of Jarnac in 1569, each Rare Cask limited edition decanter is handcrafted at the House of Baccarat in France. The single tierçon provides a limited number of just over 775 decanters, specially crafted from black crystal by Baccarat. Rare Cask 42.1 illustrates the importance of Caring for Wonders – for Time and Nature, at the crossroads of art and savoir-faire.
Rare Cask story begins in 2004, when Cellar Master Pierrette Trichet identified a centennial tierçon of eaux-de-vie with a richness and intensity never encountered before and an exceptional 43.8 degrees ABV. This became the first Rare Cask, so special that only 786 black crystal decanters were released. The second Rare Cask was launched in 2013 with a yet different ABV of 42.6. Today, Louis XIII unveils its third ever special edition with Rare Cask 42.1.
Images courtesy of Louis XIII
