Last Friday night in New York, cognac maker LOUIS XIII celebrated its “100 Years” initiative with a cocktail held aboard the Manhattan Yacht Club’s Honorable William Wall, hosted by brand Global Executive Director Ludovic du Plessis. To begin the evening, guests were escorted through the Manhattan harbor by way of boat, enjoying a breezy escape from the summer heat on the way to the to the floating venue.
Upon arrival at the yacht, attendees (including Famke Jansson and Gretchen Mol) were invited to the upper deck open-air bar, where a selection of caviar canapés and oysters were complemented by champagne and rosé. The evening included a live DJ set, scenic views of the New York and Jersey City skylines, and—of course—a tasting of the new LOUIS XIII.
Presented in partnership with Pharrell Williams, the “100 Years” campaign began in 2017 out of a shared interest Williams has with the brand—a dedication to saving the environment. As part of the initiative, Williams composed an original song, entitled The Song We’ll Hear Only If We Care, which will not be played for 100 years—the same amount of time it takes to complete the creation of a cask of LOUIS XIII cognac.
Recorded on a record made of clay found in the Cognac region of France, the song is currently being stored in the cellars of LOUIS XIII, in a location that is predicted to be submerged in water in 100 years. One century from now, in the year 2117, the song is due to be removed from the cellars and played—which will only happen if we address the causes and consequences of global warming—or destroyed by the constantly-rising water.
“I love the fact that LOUIS XIII thinks a century ahead,” said Williams. “We should all do the same for the planet. We have a common interest in preserving nature for the future. Each bottle is the life achievement of generations of men and women. It’s all about legacy and transmission.”
