What Is The Most Expensive Cognac? Answered! (2023)
Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Did you know that over 20,000 companies make and sell cognac globally? These houses are spread across different countries, but the best are usually found in the Cognac region in France.
But what is the most expensive cognac? Keep reading to find out.
About The Most Expensive Cognac In The World
There are various factors contributing to the mind-boggling prices of cognacs. Some of the most expensive cognacs are limited-edition, sold in auction, with rich history, undergo intense cognac production, and so on.
In fact, the most pricey bottle of cognac is the Henri IV Dudognon Grande Champagne.
This expensive cognac bottle uses high-quality and luxurious materials like diamond, gold, and platinum, enough to be displayed in an art gallery, given its traditional craftsmanship style and modern bottle design.
Record Holder For Being The Most Expensive Cognac
The record holder for being the most expensive cognac is the Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac Grande Champagne.
It costs around $2 million and features 24-Karat gold, over 6,000 diamonds, and sterling platinum, weighing around 8 kilograms.
This luxury bottle was master crafted by Jose Davalos, a prominent jeweler. It also holds a liter of Heritage Cognac, containing 41% ABV.
A Mexican company tried to trade a bottle in Dubai that was filled with tequila. After failing miserably, they agreed to sell it to a buyer who then used it to fill a bottle of Dudognon Heritage.
Other Expensive Cognacs
Remy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl Grande Champagne Cognac
Average Price: Around $30,000
ABV: 40%
What Made It Expensive: Some of these Remy Martin Black Pearl are sold for a price tag of around $30,000. It’s a significant drop-off from the four places on the list, mainly due to the quantity.
This incredible bottle of Louis XIII cognac was created in 2007 as an extra-special release. It features a bottle made from liquid gold, designed to honor some of the producer’s earliest offerings.
Remy Martin Louis XIII L’Odyssée D’un Roi Cognac
ABV: 40%
Average Price: Around $135,000
What Made It Expensive: This decanter-style bottle of Louis XIII was sold at an auction in 2016. It features a custom Hermes leather trunk and a crystal decanter modeled on a flask found in Cognac, France, during the 16th century.
It’s said to be the oldest eau de vie brandy that was aged in France and tasted by the cellar master. In fact, there are just three bottles of this particular blend in orbit, making its cost soar higher.
Gautier Cognac 1762
ABV: 40%
Average Price: Around $144,525
What Made It Expensive: One of the most high-priced cognac bottles ever sold is reportedly the oldest, which is 258 years old. That’s why the Gautier Cognac price soared to around $144,525.
It is also believed that only three bottles of this drink are still in existence, equally wearing their original labels.
It’s an amazing experience to drink alcohol that was crafted fourteen years before the U.S. became a country and even World War II began. It gives you a natural history perspective tagging along with its brand’s roots.
Cognac Brugerolle 1795
ABV: 40%
Average Price: Around $149,943
What Made It Expensive: Napoleon, a historic French ruler, was a huge fan of expensive products, such as Champagne and wine.
One of the reasons this grapes-sourced spirit’s costs blew up was because it was the last bottle of Napoleon’s favorite drink.
Before Brugerolle established its shop in Matha in 1847, French military officers often asked for the company’s work, including the Cognac Brugerolle 1795 that Napoleon loved.
Croizet Cognac Cuvée Léonie 1858
ABV: 40%
Average Price: Around $157,000
What Made It Expensive: In 2015, the Guinness Book of World Records named the 1858 Croizet Cuvée Leoni the most expensive bottle of cognac.
This particular bottle was owned by Lee Tachman, a rare spirit dealer. Still, in its original packaging, this drink has dust that dates back hundreds of years.
Aside from its history, this bottle also features a pre-phylloxera blend, which is its unique characteristic, making this spirit expensive.
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Factors That Make This Spirit Expensive
History
Some cognacs come with a remarkable history. Other spirits date back years or decades ago, that age along with iconic periods in history. For example, the Gautier and Brugerolle came into existence even before the world war began.
Limited Bottles Produced
When it’s limited-produced, expect it to be pricey as it’s very special. Also, limited production of the cognac drink only makes up less than 1% of the worldwide’s spirit by volume, which justifies its price.
Decanter
Although decanters [1] are only common in wines, some of the most expensive bottles of cognacs in the world use decanters made from expensive metals or a baccarat crystal.
Also, cognac brands use an elegant glass bottle or a metallic bottle to present the spirit in a more sophisticated and luxurious way. So it also affects the cost of the cognac bottle.
Age Statement
The older the age, the pricier because the older the liquor, the better its flavor. If you’ve attended a private sale, you’ll see that old liquors are priced twice or triple that of young spirits.
But despite the hefty price tag, you will never regret old-aged spirit, especially if you want a great drinking experience.
Higher Production Cost
Expensive bottles usually have natural ingredients with more meticulous distilling and aging process. So, it comes with a higher production cost.
Cognac producers carefully select the Eaux-de-vie [1] (or the wine) to be double-distilled in oak casks or selected oak barrels to make brandy.
FAQs
Does cognac get more expensive with age?
Yes, cognac gets more expensive as it ages. Naturally, the longer it is aged, the more the final result will likely cost. Many of these are made from old distillations [2] that have been around for decades. They are then blended with other products to create a unique blend, making its final cost higher.
Is an expensive cognac a good investment?
Expensive cognac is a good investment because there’s only a limited supply. Once you behold a limited-produced bottle, you can trade it in years to come at a much higher price.
So, What’s The Most Expensive Cognac?
The most expensive cognac is the Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac Grande Champagne, sold at around 2 million dollars.
It is known as the “DNA” of cognac that features a crystal bottle set with 24-karat gold, two precious metals, and is topped with 6,500 diamonds.
Although the most expensive cognac bottles come with a high price tag, if you have a chance to try these expensive drinks, you might surely think you have touched the skies!
Reference:
- https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/01/dining/eau-de-vie-fruit-s-essence-captured-in-a-bottle.html
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-cognac-distillation-is-all-about-the-details-301236667.html
