13 Most Expensive Cognacs in the World

Named for King Louis XIII of France, who reigned during the 17th century when Remy Martin established itself as a house of Cognac, Louis XIII is the most expensive line of cognac in the world.  If you can find it, the bottle fetches six figures with some auctions showing sale prices over $100,000. The Black Pearl Grande Champagne Cognac uses a selection of eaux de vies that have been aged at least 100 years, notwithstanding the aging process of the blend. On top of that, this cognac comes in a Baccarat crystal bottle that is worth thousands.

From the House of Croizet, Cognac Cuvee Leonie 1858 is a blend that uses eaux de vie from both the Petite and Grande Champagne regions of Cognac. Croizet distillers age the cognac for a minimum of 50 years in oak barrels, instilling a flavor profile of wood, dried fruit, and baking spices.

Hennessy is one of the most famous cognac producers in the world and the top cognac seller globally. Hennessy Timeless Cognac is a part of their limited edition series, blended from over 100 different eau de vie, each one aged for a century or more. The blend then undergoes another 100-year aging process to produce a cognac that is the height of smoothness and complexity.

Cognac Brugerolle 1795 is one of the most expensive cognac bottles in the world because it is one of the oldest cognacs. 1795 refers to the date of this cognac’s alleged origins. Some bottles still date to the 18th century. The blend of two main types of cognac grapes ages in an oak barrel for 50 years, much like a whiskey, instilling a leather and fruit flavor profile with a smooth finish.

At around 2 million dollars a bottle, Henri IV Dugnon Heritage Cognac is the most expensive cognac by leaps and bounds. It is a bend of various eaux de vies aged in oak barrels for over 100 years. The decanter that holds this finest of cognacs has gold and silver plating, spiked edges, and a daunting thickness.

Another product of the coveted Louis XIII line from Remy Martin, L’Odyssee D’un Roi Cognac is even more expensive than the Black Pearl variety. It consists of a blend of over 1200 eaux de vies aged in French oak barrels for more than a century. The dark amber hue, rich-tasting notes of fruit and nuts, and sweet finish make this Remy Martin cognac the ultimate sipping spirit.

Produced in honor of HINE house of Cognac’s 250-year anniversary, HINE 250 Years Decanter 1953 cognac is a limited edition bottle produced in 1953. There are only 250 bottles of this cognac that come in Baccarat crystal decanters. They have a delicious palate of tobacco, orange zest, and leather with a spicy and long finish.

This regal variety of Hennessy cognac uses a blend of 100 different eau de vie from Hennessey’s many cellars aged a minimum of 50 years in oak barrels. The real show stopper that also factors into its exorbitant price tag is the silver-plated and bejeweled treasure chest that houses its container.

Armagnac is a brandy from the Armagnac region of France and is the oldest recorded brandy in the world. This 1857 vintage brandy is a limited edition bottle that the house of Manoir de Beraut debuted in honor of the 19th-century senator Augustin de Goyon. 186 Manoir de Beraut Comte de Goyon Armagnac is the most expensive variety of Armagnac and is very hard to find at auction.

Along with Hennessy, Remy Martin, and Martell, Courvoisier is part of the top four cognac producers in the world. Courvoisier L’Esprit Decanter N 10 is a part of the exclusive, limited edition line of L’Esprit, which debuted in the year 2000 to celebrate the new millennium. The L'Esprit uses grapes from all regions of Cognac that use both traditional and modern distilling techniques.

A collaboration between House of Hardy cognac and the famed glassware artist Lalique, Hardy L’Ete Lalique Cognac is a blend of six different cognacs made over 100 years ago. The crystal bottle designed by Lalique is a modern masterpiece that features smooth, round glass and a sculpted arch of grape vines over the top. The flavor profiles of honey, cinnamon, and earth set this cognac a cut above the rest.

Frapin Cuvee is a stunning cognac both in terms of flavor and presentation. This 1888 vintage batch comes in a cylindrical leather case that reveals a cone-shaped carafe containing a dark mahogany cognac. Its flavor notes of dried fruit, chocolate, and hazelnut have a long spicy finish that makes for a memorable sipping experience.

The fourth and youngest member of the big four cognac producers, Martell offers the Premier Voyage as the cream of the crop of their oldest cognacs. It's a blend of 18 different eaux de vies that deliver a complex and powerful palate of candied fruit, walnuts, black currant, and baking spices.