Which Historic Hotel offers a special tasting of Winston Churchill's favorite cognac?
Raffles London at The OWO (1906) London, England, United Kingdom

Raffles London at The OWO has a rare experience for any guest who loves cognac. Cognac is a type of brandy named for the Cognac region where it is produced. The production of this grape-based alcohol requires the adherence to specific rules during production of the spirit, and it must be produced in the Cognac region to be called cognac according to the French appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) designation. Cognac must be made from Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanc, or Colombard grapes; distilled twice in a copper pot still; and aged in Limousin or Tronçais oak barrels for at least two years.

There are many varieties of cognac, but one of the rarest is LOUIS XIII made by Rémy Martin, one of the world’s most prestigious brands. Only 50 six-liter Mathusalem are made each year. Their creation requires the skills of 20 of Europe’s finest crystal craftsmen, LOUIS XIII Cellar Masters, and of course, the key cognac blend. The flavor profile of LOUIS XIII cognac has remained unchanged since it was created by Paul-Émile Rémy Martin in 1874.

The cognac was once loved by Winston Churchill, making the partnership a natural fit for Raffles London at The OWO. The Old War Office (OWO) building, now the Raffles London, a beacon of white Portland stone, has undergone a grand metamorphosis from civil service hub to a luxurious historic hotel. The distinctive domes, soaring ceilings, and mosaic floors of this 1906 building have been carefully preserved.



Raffles London at The OWO occupies a desirable location that was once the site of a royal palace. This neo-Baroque-style marble-clad hotel features 120 exquisitely appointed guestrooms and suites, nine high-concept restaurants and three bars, including a subterranean speakeasy, a destination spa and wellness club with a pool, and rooftop terraces. In addition, there are 85 exclusive, private residences. In a nod to its legacy as the main base for British military operations until 1964, venues bear names such as “The Lawrence,” named after the famed Lawrence of Arabia, British officer Lt. T.E. Lawrence; and “Morse” and “Code” paying tribute to the clandestine messages of the spy trade.

The one-of-a-kind, by the glass, LOUIS XIII tasting is held at the Guards Bar and Lounge. This bar is named for the guards that have kept watch over the reigning monarch for more than 520 years, first at the Palace of Whitehall, which once stood on the grounds of Raffles London at The OWO, and now at Buckingham Palace. Overlooking the pomp and circumstance of the Horse Guards and the palace beyond, the bar is the perfect location for this experience.

The cognac comes with a beautiful presentation. The six-liter decanter sits atop rich red leather trunks, made to mirror the colors of the Household Cavalry, part of the Household Division and is the King's official bodyguard, adorned with a small silver plaque that pays homage to the collaboration between the historic hotel and LOUIS XIII. This gorgeous Mathusalem can be seen from the bar’s windows, providing visitors with a glimpse into luxury. The tasting comes with a culinary experience option to pair LOUIS XIII with various caviars served in a dedicated Christofle silver-plated caviar serving set, with matching mother-of pearl-spoons.

Raffles London at The OWO is the only place where this exclusive experience and partnership exists. Guests can book a stay where key historical figures, such as Winston Churchill, Lord Kitchener, and British spy-turned-novelist Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, once roamed its venerable halls.

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