LOUIS XIII Black Pearl AHD

Bottle tbc of 1498

COLLECTION PREVIEW

LOUIS XIII Black Pearl AHD, one of 1,498 Baccarat decanters drawn from a single tierçon in the André Hériard Dubreuil cellar.

OVERVIEW

LOUIS XIII Black Pearl AHD was introduced in 2019 as a tribute to André Hériard Dubreuil, former chairman of Rémy Martin, whose centenary formed the basis of the release.

The edition comprised 1,498 individually numbered 350ml Baccarat crystal decanters at 40% ABV. Rémy Cointreau’s own 2019 reporting confirms the 350ml steel-coloured crystal format, the numbered production of 1,498 decanters and that the liquid was drawn from a single tierçon within the André Hériard Dubreuil cellar.

The AHD release sits within the Black Pearl lineage of LOUIS XIII, distinguished by its metallised Baccarat presentation and by the selection of a particular reserve of mature LOUIS XIII held within the family cellars.

This example was acquired directly through the approved Australian LOUIS XIII importer and distributor after being offered to the current custodian through an established private-client relationship with the maison.

THE BOTTLE

The Black Pearl AHD was the first LOUIS XIII release presented in this 35cl format, rather than the conventional 70cl decanter.

Its Baccarat crystal form follows the historical flask silhouette associated with LOUIS XIII, itself inspired by a 16th-century flask found near the battlefield of Jarnac and later acquired by Paul-Émile Rémy Martin.

For AHD, Baccarat applied a steel-coloured metallised finish using palladium, creating the silver, anthracite and black reflections characteristic of the Black Pearl family. Contemporary release material describes the decanter’s crystal lacework, medallions and pearl-like detailing beneath this metallic treatment.

The present example retains its original coffret, stopper, booklet and the components supplied within its presentation case.

Decanter number: Not confirmed
Tierçon reference: Not confirmed

Specialist secondary sources identify the tierçon as C100-139, but this reference should remain unconfirmed for this individual example until verified against its own documentation or physical markings.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

André Hériard Dubreuil occupied an important position within the development of Rémy Martin and its long-term stewardship of mature Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie.

The AHD edition was conceived not simply as an anniversary decanter, but as a tribute tied directly to a particular cellar bearing his name.

Rémy Cointreau described that cellar as cooler, darker and damper than the other cellars, conditions which influence the way mature spirit develops within its casks. The tierçon selected for Black Pearl AHD had been stored deep within this cellar’s family reserve.

Contemporary reporting states that Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau selected the tierçon in 2017. The release followed in 2019, linking the cognac itself, its place of maturation and the individual being commemorated.

This makes Black Pearl AHD materially different from a limited edition created through presentation alone. The significance of the release extends to the identity of the reserve from which the completed LOUIS XIII assemblage was drawn.

PRODUCTION & LIQUID

LOUIS XIII is composed from mature Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie selected and preserved across generations of cellar masters.

The Black Pearl AHD liquid was drawn from one traditional tierçon within the André Hériard Dubreuil cellar. A tierçon is a large old oak vessel traditionally associated with Cognac maturation and storage.

The term “single tierçon” should not be interpreted in the same way as a single-cask whisky. The tierçon contained an already developed LOUIS XIII assemblage, itself representing mature eaux-de-vie accumulated and managed over a long period.

Contemporary material describes the AHD expression as showing dried rose, honey, myrrh, cigar box, plum, honeysuckle, leather, fig and passionfruit, developing toward wet chalk and forest-floor characteristics. Those notes were specifically linked at release to the cool, humid conditions of the André Hériard Dubreuil cellar.

The release was bottled at 40% ABV in 350ml format.

The frequently cited description of LOUIS XIII as incorporating up to approximately 1,200 eaux-de-vie provides broader context for the house style, but it should not be read as a confirmed count of components assembled specifically for Black Pearl AHD.

RARITY & COLLECTING SIGNIFICANCE

The production quantity is fixed and documented at 1,498 numbered decanters worldwide.

Its collecting significance comes from the combination of:

  • the 1,498-decanter production

  • the first 35cl Black Pearl presentation

  • Baccarat manufacture

  • palladium-toned metallised crystal

  • the André Hériard Dubreuil commemorative purpose

  • liquid drawn from a single tierçon in the family reserve

  • direct association with an identified LOUIS XIII cellar

  • original coffret and supporting presentation material

The production number alone establishes its restricted nature. More importantly, AHD represents a specific intersection between the cellar history of LOUIS XIII and the Black Pearl design language.

Public auction appearances are relatively infrequent compared with standard LOUIS XIII releases. Sotheby’s has documented an example, decanter no. 0527 of 1498, with original presentation case and an estimate of £6,000 to £8,000.

PROVENANCE

The present example was purchased directly from the approved Australian importer and distributor for LOUIS XIII.

The custodian had an established relationship with the maison as a significant private client and had previously acquired both classic and rare LOUIS XIII releases.

The Black Pearl AHD was offered directly to the custodian within that relationship, rather than being sourced through auction or the secondary market.

The custodian accepted the allocation on recognising the limited nature of the edition and its place within the broader LOUIS XIII collection.

The original purchase invoice, allocation correspondence, delivery documentation, photographs and communications with LOUIS XIII are retained.

Since acquisition, the piece has remained in climate-controlled cellar storage.

This provides a clear documented provenance from authorised Australian distribution into the current collection.

THE STORY OF THIS EXAMPLE

The current custodian has collected LOUIS XIII over a number of years and has acquired both established expressions and more limited releases.

Black Pearl AHD was offered directly as part of that private-client relationship.

The decision to acquire it was straightforward. With only 1,498 decanters produced and the release tied to a single tierçon within the André Hériard Dubreuil cellar, the custodian recognised it as a distinct piece within the wider LOUIS XIII chronology and elected to secure the allocation when it became available.

Unlike pieces subsequently acquired through secondary channels, this example entered the collection directly from the authorised Australian distributor and has remained with the same custodian since.

CONDITION & PRESENTATION

The piece is described as like new and unopened.

The decanter has not been removed for use and no scratches, plating loss, chips, tarnishing or other material marks have been reported.

The original coffret is retained and includes the booklet, stopper and the presentation components originally supplied with the edition.

The seal and presentation are reported to remain intact.

The piece has been stored in a climate-controlled cellar throughout the current custodianship.

Final confirmation of decanter number, fill level and any tierçon reference should be made once detailed bottle photographs are available.

WHY IT MATTERS

LOUIS XIII Black Pearl AHD is significant because the commemorative concept extends beyond the decanter itself.

The release connects André Hériard Dubreuil to a cellar bearing his name, a particular family-reserve tierçon held within that cellar and a finite series of 1,498 Baccarat decanters created to contain the resulting LOUIS XIII.

Within the Black Pearl series, it is also distinguished by its 35cl format and its highly reflective palladium-toned Baccarat presentation.

For this individual example, the significance is strengthened by its direct Australian allocation history. It was not acquired retrospectively after the edition became collectable. It was offered to an established LOUIS XIII private client through the authorised distribution channel and has remained documented, complete and carefully stored since acquisition.

The combination of direct provenance, complete presentation and restricted production is difficult to recreate through secondary-market acquisition alone.

MARKET & DOCUMENTED CONTEXT

LOUIS XIII Black Pearl AHD was released in 2019 as a numbered edition of 1,498 decanters and was distributed in Australia through the maison’s authorised channel at established LOUIS XIII market pricing.

Historical release pricing requires adjustment when considered in a 2026 context. Australian consumer prices have risen materially since 2019, meaning the equivalent present-day cost of the original allocation is already significantly higher before accounting for the release’s discontinued status, limited production and the cost of sourcing a comparable example today.

Public secondary-market evidence for Black Pearl AHD remains comparatively limited. Auction estimates have historically sat below international retail replacement prices, while current listings across the broader Black Pearl family demonstrate substantially higher asking levels. These should not be treated as direct comparables, but they provide useful context for the present replacement environment.

For a complete, unopened Black Pearl AHD retaining its original coffret, booklet, stopper and associated presentation components, together with direct authorised Australian private-client provenance and supporting documentation, a reasonable indicative Australian collection value as at August 2026 is:

AUD $45,000 to AUD $65,000

I would treat this range as provisional until the decanter number, full presentation contents and detailed condition photographs have been confirmed.

This is not a formal valuation or a public asking price. The limited number of directly comparable completed transactions means individual results can differ materially according to provenance, completeness, condition, location and buyer demand.

COLLECTION STATUS

OPEN TO ENQUIRY

The custodian has permitted Cloakroom Reserve to receive private expressions of interest regarding this piece. An enquiry does not constitute an offer to sell, nor does it oblige the custodian to enter into a transaction.

CUSTODIAN'S NOTE

The Black Pearl AHD was accepted when offered directly through the custodian’s longstanding relationship with LOUIS XIII, recognising both the restricted production and its distinct place within the maison’s limited-release history.

DOCUMENTATION HELD

  • Original purchase invoice from the approved Australian importer/distributor

  • Allocation correspondence

  • LOUIS XIII communications

  • Delivery records

  • Original coffret

  • Original booklet

  • Original stopper and presentation components

  • Photographic record

COLLECTION RECORD

Producer: LOUIS XIII by Rémy Martin
Expression: Black Pearl AHD
Category: Grande Champagne Cognac
Country: France
Region: Cognac, Grande Champagne
Release: 2019
ABV: 40%
Volume: 350ml
Tierçon: Not confirmed for this decanter
Decanter No.: Not confirmed
Production: 1,498 numbered decanters
Crystal: Baccarat
Presentation: Palladium-toned metallised crystal
Packaging: Original coffret, booklet, stopper and presentation components
Provenance: Purchased directly from the authorised Australian LOUIS XIII importer/distributor
Condition: Like new, unopened
Storage: Climate-controlled cellar
Documentation: Original invoice, allocation correspondence, delivery documentation and LOUIS XIII communications
Indicative Market Context: AUD $16,000 to AUD $24,000 as at August 2026, provisional pending full inspection
Collection Status: Open to Enquiry

PRIVATE ENQUIRY

This piece is currently marked Open to Enquiry by its custodian.

Cloakroom Reserve may receive private expressions of interest regarding the piece. Any enquiry is subject to review and does not constitute an offer for sale, acceptance by the custodian or confirmation that a transaction will proceed.

Where appropriate, Cloakroom Reserve may facilitate a private discussion between the relevant parties.

COMPLIANCE NOTE

Member Collections are presented for documentation, provenance and private collection purposes. Inclusion does not necessarily indicate that an item is offered for sale. Where an item is marked Open to Enquiry, any subsequent transaction is subject to owner approval, applicable Cloakroom Reserve terms and relevant Australian liquor laws.