On August 11, Guinness World Records officially recognized a bottle of 1696 Jules Robin Cognac as the world’s oldest Cognac. This vintage spirit, now owned by Dutch collector Lars Janssen, surpasses the previous record-holder, a 1762 Gautier Cognac. The 1762 Gautier, one of only three remaining bottles, fetched $146,000 at auction in 2020.
The allure of such ancient spirits lies in their rarity and historical significance. The 1696 Jules Robin Cognac is a rare survivor from the era before the 1860s phylloxera outbreak, which devastated the wine and Cognac industries in Europe. This bottle offers a rare glimpse into pre-phylloxera French distilled spirits.
Remarkably well-preserved, the 1696 bottle is crafted from cut lead crystal and features an emblem detailing its producer and vintage. It is encased in a glass dome, accompanied by an engraved stopper and drinking glass, and is displayed on a custom stone base.
Originally gifted to Edmond Jaulin, a cofounder of the Cognac house, the bottle later entered a private French collection before being acquired by Janssen in 2018 for an undisclosed sum. This historic find now stands as the sole surviving Cognac from the 1600s.
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