You're at a high-end bar. The lighting is dim, the leather chairs are plush, and the guy next to you just ordered a "Louis XIV cognac." He looks confident. He probably thinks he's channelled the Sun King himself.
The problem? He’s technically asking for something that doesn't really exist in the way he thinks it does.
Most people confuse the "Sun King" (Louis XIV) with his father, Louis XIII. If you’ve seen those stunning Baccarat crystal decanters with the spikes and the fleur-de-lys, you’re looking at Louis XIII, produced by Rémy Martin. But if you're specifically hunting for Louis XIV cognac, you’re likely either looking for a very specific bottle from the House of Godet or you've fallen victim to a very common historical mix-up.
Why Everyone Confuses Louis XIV with Louis XIII
It’s an easy mistake. Louis XIV was the one who built Versailles. He’s the face of French absolute monarchy. He’s the "Sun King." It makes total sense that the "King of Cognacs" would be named after the most famous king of France.
But history is funny like that.
Rémy Martin named their prestige blend after Louis XIII because he was the monarch who first recognized cognac as its own category of brandy back in the 1600s. It was a nod to the "birth" of the spirit. Louis XIV, while legendary, usually gets the short end of the stick when it comes to spirits branding, despite the fact that his reign was when the cognac trade actually started to explode.
The Godet Connection: The Real Louis XIV de France Cognac
If you are dead set on drinking a cognac that actually bears the name of the Sun King, you have to look at Cognac Godet.
In 1699, King Louis XIV ennobled Jean Godet. He gave the family a coat of arms that featured three goblets and a star—a design you’ll still see on Godet bottles today. To celebrate this specific royal connection, the House of Godet released a "Louis XIV de France" cognac.
It’s a different beast than the Rémy Martin version.
While the Rémy Martin Louis XIII is a blend of 1,200 different eaux-de-vie from the Grande Champagne region, the Godet Louis XIV is a tribute to the family's ennoblement. It’s rare. It’s niche. Honestly, if you try to order it at a standard hotel bar, the bartender will probably just point you toward the Rémy Martin bottle and assume you got the numbers wrong.
What's actually inside a bottle of prestige cognac?
Let’s talk about what makes these "King" cognacs so insanely expensive. We aren't just talking about a fancy bottle.
The stuff inside is often older than anyone currently living in your house.
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For the Rémy Martin Louis XIII (the one people usually mean when they say Louis XIV cognac), the liquid is a blend of eaux-de-vie aged between 40 and 100 years. Imagine that. A cellar master a century ago put that liquid into a barrel, knowing they would never live to see it bottled.
- The Terroir: It’s all from Grande Champagne. Not the place with the bubbles, but the "cru" in the Cognac region known for its chalky soil.
- The Barrels: They use "tierçons"—massive, ancient oak casks that are so old and fragile they have to be painstakingly maintained by specialized coopers.
- The Taste: You don't just "drink" this. It’s an explosion. People describe everything from dried roses and jasmine to cigar box, leather, and passion fruit.
Basically, it’s history in a glass.
The Price Tag: Is it Worth the Hype?
You’ve probably seen the prices. A standard 750ml bottle of Louis XIII will run you anywhere from $3,000 to $4,500 depending on the year and the market. If you’re looking at the Godet Louis XIV or limited editions like the "Black Pearl," you’re looking at five figures.
Is it worth it?
Well, it depends on what you’re paying for. If you just want to get tipsy, absolutely not. Buy a bottle of VSOP for $60 and call it a day.
But these cognacs are "experience" spirits. You’re paying for the fact that the liquid was distilled during the World Wars. You’re paying for the Baccarat crystal decanter that takes a team of craftsmen days to make. In 2026, the luxury market has only gotten more obsessed with these "legacy" items.
How to actually drink it (Don't be that person)
If you find yourself in front of a glass of Louis XIV cognac or its Louis XIII cousin, please, for the love of everything holy, don't shoot it.
- The Glass: Use a tulip glass, not a wide balloon snifter. The tulip shape concentrates the aromas.
- The Temperature: Don't warm it over a candle. That’s an old-school move that actually ruins the balance of the alcohol. Room temperature is perfect.
- The Wait: Let it sit. For a spirit that's been in wood for 80 years, it needs about ten minutes to "wake up" once it hits the air.
- The Sip: Take a tiny drop. Just one. Let it coat your tongue.
The finish—the taste that stays in your mouth after you swallow—can last for over an hour. That’s the real hallmark of a "King" cognac.
Finding the real deal
If you’re hunting for a bottle, be careful. Because these are such high-value items, the secondary market is full of fakes. Always check the serial numbers. On a Louis XIII, the number on the bottle must match the number on the stopper and the certificate of authenticity.
For the Godet Louis XIV, you’ll likely need to go through specialist importers or high-end boutiques in Europe. It’s not something you’ll find at the local liquor store next to the vodka.
Honestly, the "Sun King" cognac is sort of the ultimate "if you know, you know" bottle. While the rest of the world is chasing the famous spiked decanter of Louis XIII, the real history buffs are looking for the Godet coat of arms.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Collector
If you're serious about getting into high-end cognac, don't start at the $4,000 level. Start by tasting a "Hors d’Age" cognac from a smaller house. "Hors d’Age" means "beyond age," and these bottles often contain spirits just as old as the famous "King" brands but without the $2,000 "marketing tax" on the crystal bottle. Look for names like Delamain, Tesseron, or Frapin. They offer incredible 50-year-old blends that will give you a benchmark for what truly old cognac should taste like before you drop several months' rent on a Sun King tribute.