R�my Martin Louis XIII �Very Old�, 70cl. �Very Old� is the wording used on earlier Louis XIII decanters (typically late-1960s to 1970s bottlings). These are blends of Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie aged ~40�100 years, presented in crystal (often Baccarat or St-Louis - In this case Baccarat Crystal) with an individually numbered decanter and separate crystal stopper. ABV is usually ~40% and sometimes not stated on the label for these older releases.
 
Background & Why It�s Collectible
1. The heritage of the brand & blend
The bottle you�re looking at of Louis?XIII by R�my?Martin carries deep historical roots in the world of cognac:
R�my Martin was founded in 1724 in the Cognac region of France.
The Louis XIII blend was launched in 1874 by Paul-�mile R�my Martin.
The name �Louis XIII� pays tribute to King Louis XIII of France at whose reign the R�my Martin family established themselves in the Cognac region and who is credited with officially recognizing cognac as its own category of spirit.
This longstanding heritage makes the bottle an object of luxury and history.
2. The blend & production
What makes Louis XIII special (and collectible) lies in how it is made:
It uses only eaux?de?vie from the Grande Champagne cru (the premier cru) of Cognac grapes grown in chalky soils, giving high refinement.
The blend can include up to around 1,200 individual eaux-de-vie, aged for decades (40?100 years) before being blended.
It is aged in rare, large oak casks called tier�ons (some over 100 years old themselves) and decanted only when the cellar-master thinks the blend is ready.
Because of this meticulous process (long aging, very selective sourcing, craftsmanship), the blend is extremely limited and high quality hence luxury and collectible.
3. The decanter, presentation & �Very Old� variants
Collectability is also driven by packaging, provenance & vintage variations:
The iconic crystal decanter is a hallmark: the design traces back to a 16th-century flask found at the site of the Battle of Jarnac (1569) and reproduced in glass in 1874.
Each decanter is individually numbered and often the stopper and presentation matter a lot. The older �Very Old / Age Unknown� versions (as your lot is) are particularly prized by collectors because they pre-date or differ from the modern �Classic� labelling.
4. Why the �Very Old� version adds appeal
Your lot is labelled �Very Old� (70 cl). Here�s what that means for its appeal:
It denotes an earlier generation of bottling (often from the 1960s�70s era) where �� Tr�s Vieille, �ge Inconnu� (Very Old, Age Unknown) was used.
These older bottles often carry stronger provenance (older stock of eaux?de?vie), more scarcity (less produced or fewer surviving examples), and are more sought after by connoisseurs/collectors.
Older bottles also have that �time capsule� appeal because part of the story of Louis XIII is about �ageing in the cellar, then being bottled, then being stored� so the older the decanter era, the more the story.
5. Luxury & cultural status
Beyond production, this is a bottle that has symbolic value:
It has been served at notable historical occasions (for example: luxury liners, banquets) and associated with royalty and celebrities.
It�s a luxury item in its category, crossing the boundary between fine spirits and collectible art/object.
Because of its high price, limited supply and strong brand story, it appeals to both spirits collectors and luxury collectors (including those more interested in packaging/design).
7. Market dynamics & scarcity
Because every decanter is unique and the blend uses extremely old stock, the available supply is constrained.
Older decanters (like �Very Old� era) are increasingly rare to find.
Luxury spirits in general are gaining traction as collectible assets (especially limited or premium bottlings).
The brand also keeps innovating with special editions, which enhances prestige of the �standard� older ones by comparison.
The interplay of the collectability (some buy to invest, some buy to admire object d�art carefully) raises the stakes and visibility of such lots.
Currently Retail prices (if not SOLD OUT) can range from �3500 - �5500+
Example and comparable Retail / Retail-type pricing
A listing for a 1970s bottling of Louis XIII �Very Old� 70 cl is priced at �4,750 in the UK. Threshers
A listing for Louis XIII (bot. 1960s) 70cl / 40% is priced at �5,500 in the UK. The Whisky Exchange
Please note: It is for every buyer to satisfy themselves that this item is exactly what they are looking for in terms of Size, Year, ABV, Version etc. Once sold there are no returns for obvious reasons. In this case the serial number of the decanter has been obscured to ensure exclusivity and anonymity for the buyer.
IMPORTANT: This particular offering has cosmetic scratches and binding glue on the case. This item is bought in the knowledge that these cosmetic flaws exist and hence the considerable discount on a Shop Offered New product. If bought AGE VERIFICATION will be needed on delivery. If the item is delivered and believed to be damaged DO NOT ACCEPT. Once delivered their are no returns. This is to prevent damage or tampering. Shipping and Insurance are included in the price. Options to pick up in person will also be provided on completion of the Sale.