Family Legacy
The Chng family’s generation‑spanning relationship with Louis XIII is a rarity, just like the Jeroboam Commande Spéciale that embodies it
The universe of Louis XIII is a rarefied one. From the cognac’s complex blend of eau de vie sourced exclusively from the Grande Champagne region—some aged for a century—to the handmade crystal decanter it is comes in, every bottle of Louis XIII is the culmination of work spanning generations. It is this work that informs the cognac maker’s rarity and exclusivity, which extends to the Louis XIII Society, an owners‑only club promising tailored services and experiences.
For the brand’s closest and most privileged clients, the opportunity to access even rarer and more exclusive offerings sometimes presents itself. One such example was the recently launched Jeroboam Commande Spéciale. It features the familiar 3‑litre Jeroboam decanter, but comes with customisation of the crystal stopper, gold neck and central medallion. In turn, the bespoke creation is delivered in a unique red wooden coffret that serves both storage and display functions.
The Jeroboam Commande Spéciale’s level of personalisation necessitated a limited run of just 13 bottles across Asia. In Singapore, the offer was extended to and taken up by the Chng family, who have built a close relationship with the brand for almost a decade since Mr and Mrs Chng first discovered Louis XIII. The couple has since introduced their sons Ryan and Rodrique to the brand, and savouring its cognac is now a family affair. Such is the level of familiarity that the close‑knit Chngs see Louis XIII as part of the family. This is reflected in their Jeroboam Commande Spéciale’s customised text on the decanter neck: Family for Life.
How did the family’s relationship with Louis XIII start? Mrs Chng:
My husband and I were invited to a private dinner sometime in late 2015, and had the opportunity to try Louis XIII for the first time. Neither of us were drinkers before that dinner,
but our first taste of Louis XIII had us intrigued. My husband was especially smitten with this cognac, and things progressed from this initial discovery.
Has the family’s relationship with the brand evolved over the years? Mr Chng:
Our ties with Louis XIII have definitely deepened over time. When my wife and I made our first private trip to Cognac with the brand, for example, we got to spend some time with Louis XIII’S then brand ambassador, Florian Hériard Dubreuil, who’s also a fourth‑generation member of the family who owns the House of Rémy Martin. We visited the house’s private museum as well, and these interactions gave us a deeper understanding of the brand’s focus on family tradition and legacy. These are values that we identify with very strongly.
Mrs Chng:
What’s also important is that we’ve been able to introduce our two sons to the brand and nurture their appreciation for it. As a family, we’ve taken trips with the brand to discover its various facets, including learning about cognac‑making during one of our visits to France. These are all fond memories that we treasure, and I call the lovely people we’ve built these connections with family.
The family already has an extensive collection of Louis XIII. What was behind the decision to buy the Jeroboam Commande Spéciale? Mr Chng:
Yes, we’ve previously already bought two bottles of Jeroboam, which we will eventually gift to our two boys. In addition, we’ve had the chance to purchase limited editions from the Black Pearl, Rare Cask, and Time Collection lines. Owning the Jeroboam Commande Spéciale was thus a natural progression for us and when we were offered the chance to buy it, I accepted immediately. I see this purchase as yet another chapter that further ties our family to the brand’s heritage.
The custom‑engraved message on the family’s Jeroboam Commande Spéciale reads “Family for Life”. Is there a story behind this? Mr Chng:
The boys came up with it, and I thought it was a fitting message.
Rodrique:
My family’s journey with Louis XIII has given us many eye‑opening experiences. My brother and I felt the customised message should help us remember the good memories we’ve had as a family, while also expressing the hope that we’ll create even better ones in future, with many more bottles of Louis XIII to come.
Ryan and Rodrique, how do you feel about eventually inheriting the family’s Louis XIII collection and continuing the close relationship with the brand? Ryan:
It’s an exciting thought. My brother and I have begun our journeys with Louis XIII and grown with it, and it’ll be an honour to inherit the legacy our parents have built. For me, the Jeroboam Commande Spéciale will be an important part of this because it serves as a reminder of our family’s fondness and admiration for the brand. I hope that I, too, will be able to share these when I start my own family, and keep our love for cognac alive for generations to come.
Rodrique:
We feel truly blessed to be able to inherit such exclusive and meaningful gifts in time, because they will serve as reminders of the good times and happy memories we had. Louis XIII has become a part of the Chng family’s history, and its cognacs are tangible pieces of this history that future generations can cherish and enjoy.