While vodka, rum, and whiskey tend to be at the forefront of expensive alcohol conversations, cognac also has a few pricier bottles. If you are a cognac connoisseur or want to try a new higher-priced alcohol, explore these ten most expensive cognacs in the world.
10. Martell Savoir Faire, $37,019
Our twelfth most expensive cognac is the Savoir-Faire Cognac, created from one of the most highly sought-after Cognac crus. After creating the cognac, it is bottled into a unique decanter designed in collaboration with Les Grands Ateliers de France, made from ebony and parchment. Some of the auctions for this liquor include an invitation to the House of Martell to learn about the company’s process of creating high-quality cognac.
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9. Jacques Hardy 1777 Grande Champagne Cognac, $50,823
Travel back in time for our eleventh selection: a bottle of 1777 Grande Champagne Cognac from the personal collection of Jacques Hardy. Distilled by the Yvon family, the cognac was gifted to Jacques Hardy’s uncle for his wedding. The liquor sat in oak casks until 1936 when it was bottled and now can be bought for over $50,000.
8. Martell Extra Cognac 1950s Baccarat Michelangelo Decanter, $53,332
Another older cognac appears in the form of Martell’s Extra Cognac, estimated to have been bottled in the early 1950s. The liquor is contained in a Baccarat Michelangelo crystal decanter with a matching stopper, etched with a floral design and the signature Martell logo in the center.
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7. Hennessy 8 Cognac, $53,395
Though the Hennessy 8 Cognac may look quite different from other bottles, it still ranks number seven on our list. The liquor inside the bottle is a blend of eight selected eaux-de-vie, representing 250 years in the cognac industry. The bottle features eight crystal rings with a stopper engraved with floral motifs, all designed by Arik Levy. Only 250 bottles were made in this limited edition.
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6. Remy Martin XIII L’Odyssée d’un Roi, $134,750
One of the more detailed bottles on our list is the L’Odyssée d’un Roi, a tribute to Louis XIII’s “mythical journeys through the ages.” The bottle also brought together three French luxury houses: Hermès, Saint-Louis, and Puiforcat. With three bottles created, they were presented at exclusive events all over the world before being auctioned through Sotheby’s.
5. Gautier Cognac 1762, $144,525
Also known as the oldest cognac in the world by the Guinness World Book of Records, the Gautier Cognac from 1762 takes our fifth spot. Only three bottles remain from the batch, and have earned the names “big brother,” “little brother,” and “little sister.” Though two of the bottles have been auctioned or bought, one remains at Gautier as a symbol of their past.
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4. Cognac Brugerolle 1795, $149,943
A favorite of Napoleon while ruling over the French, this 1795 Cognac Brugerolle was specifically requested by French military officers during the 18th century. One of the reasons why this particular bottle is so costly today is due to limited quantities, with very few bottles left.
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3. Croizet Cognac Cuvée Léonie 1858, $156,760
A bottle of Cognac Croizet from 1858 made history in 2011 when it was sold at auction in Shanghai for 1 million yuan ($156,760), making it the most expensive cognac to be sold at auction. Along with a hefty price tag, the 1858 bottle has a history of being in prominent places, such as in the hands of Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower during WWII.
2. Remy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl, $165,000
Louis XIII Black Pearl was created in a collaboration between Louis XIII cognac and crystal-maker Baccarat to create a stunning bottle. Part of an exclusive series, the liquor inside is from a 1960 cellar from the Grollet family estate, making the Black Pearl a rarity that cannot be reproduced.
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1. Les Remarquables de Martell, $1.1 million
The most expensive cognac in the world comes from Maison Martell, called the Les Remarquables de Martell. Each year the company unveils a masterpiece that combines an extremely rare cognac and the talent of an artist or artisan to create a once-in-a-lifetime piece. The best part? This artwork will never be reproduced, making the value skyrocket to over a million dollars.
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