ARRIVAL IN NEW DELHI & UDAIPUR──To the "City of Lakes"

Opening an India guidebook purchased at Narita Airport, I found a quote from Buddha after the map of India. During my university days, the story that "many people who traveled to India for their graduation trip had their values turned 180 degrees and couldn't find jobs" was widely circulated. However, India today is one of the countries increasingly asserting its presence on the global economic map. The IT industry in the US cannot function without India, and it boasts an overwhelming population as a consumer market. With such expectations for the connection between modern India and the "very rare kind of cognac" from LOUIS XIII, I first flew to the capital, Delhi.

After arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport, India's gateway, I took a charter flight arranged by Rémy Martin to Udaipur, my destination, a journey of about an hour and a half by air. On the map, Udaipur is located at about 45 degrees southwest of Delhi, depicted with lakes surrounded by mountains.

Allow me to explain Udaipur briefly. Located in Rajasthan, northwestern India, this region was ruled by Maharajas (princes) until India gained independence from British rule in 1947. It is the largest state in India, with vast deserts in the west, and is considered by some to be the most exotic and enchanting state in India. Udaipur was founded in 1567 by Udai Singh, a Maharaja of the noble Mewar clan who fled from the Mughal Empire and their former capital Chittorgarh, naming the city after himself. He created Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake by damming rivers to secure water for daily life.

The lakes that supported the lives of ordinary people have now become world-renowned tourist attractions. Udaipur is called the "Venice of the East" or the "City of Lakes," and is a coveted honeymoon destination among Indians. It is also famous as a filming location for the movie "007 Octopussy."

From Udaipur Airport, I traveled by limousine bus. My eyes were captivated by the "everyday scenes of India" visible from the car window: leisurely walking cows, skinny dogs, men engrossed in conversation in the shade, women busy hanging laundry, idle-looking general stores... Compared to the hustle and bustle of Delhi, the tranquil scenery was quite soothing.

LAKE PICHOLA & THE LEELA PALACE──A Boat Ride to the Hotel

The bus arrived at the boat landing on the lake. Even knowing that Lake Pichola is artificial, its size was astonishing. The lake is currently about 3x4 km. From here, we would take a boat to our hotel. Boarding a boat with the LOUIS XIII crest fluttering at the prow, we headed to our accommodation, "THE LEELA PALACE UDAIPUR." Such a thoughtful touch always brings a smile to guests' faces.

India might conjure images of many budget accommodations for travelers, but that's a thing of the past. Today, luxury hotel chains owned by Indian capital compete fiercely. The Leela Palace Udaipur is a 5-star hotel belonging to The Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts. Upon arrival at the hotel's jetty, we were welcomed with Rajasthani folk music and a shower of flowers, and a red mark was placed on our foreheads. The hotel itself is a magnificent Rajasthani palace-style structure, and the guest rooms are superb. The suites, with their unique and tasteful interiors, are designed with an Indian aesthetic, and the lake views are particularly noteworthy.

CITY PALACE AND INDIAN DINNER──Dinner Dress Code: "Just a Touch of White"

Upon arriving at the hotel in the evening, a welcome party was held. While watching the sunset over the lake, I exchanged greetings and pleasantries with journalists from around the world. The attendees for this launch party were mainly from Asia, including Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, as well as from Europe, such as Russia and the UK. While five media outlets sent five representatives from Japan, China sent a staggering 25 participants. Comments like "The Chinese market is indeed huge" were heard from attendees. I couldn't help but understand when the hotel staff greeted me with "Ni hao" upon landing. The current cognac market, much like automobiles, seems to be dictated by the preferences and trends of China's affluent class.

Looking out at the lake from the hotel, two small islands are visible, each with an elegant structure. The beautiful white building is the "Taj Lake Palace," built in 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh II. It once served as a "summer retreat" for Maharajas and their guests. Although now converted into a hotel, it was featured as Octopussy's palace in the 1983 film "007 Octopussy," and Roger Moore, who played James Bond, and the film crew also stayed at this hotel.

Another palace stands on a small island called Jag Mandir, where the announcement of the "very rare kind of cognac" is scheduled for the following day.

Introducing the 76th Maharaja, Arvind Singh Mewar!

After the welcome party at the hotel, we took a boat to the City Palace, the venue for dinner that evening. The City Palace, viewed from the lake at night, was immense, fueling our anticipation for what was to come. The City Palace is the largest royal residence in Rajasthan, measuring 450 meters north-south and 240 meters east-west. Descendants of the Maharaja still reside here; half of it is a museum, and parts are open as restaurants, attracting a constant stream of tourists. The dinner was held in the courtyard of this very City Palace.

The sheer scale of the City Palace was impressive, but the dinner venue set up in the central courtyard was also perfectly managed. The dry evening breeze, pleasant with a jacket, felt wonderful. Just then, a portly gentleman appeared, led by horsemen.

His name is Arvind Singh Mewar. He is the 76th descendant of the rulers of Udaipur, a city that preserved its unique power and culture as an independent state until the formation of the Republic of India. Born in 1944, he is indeed the 76th generation. As I would discover during the museum tour the next day, the rulers of Udaipur have maintained an unbroken lineage since 734 AD, making them the oldest Maharajas in India.

The appearance of the modern Maharaja caused excitement among the guests, who took turns taking commemorative photos. He also delighted guests with a photo opportunity with Cellar Master Pierrette Trichet, whom I had interviewed for OPENERS last autumn. Following the Maharaja's address, dinner was served, accompanied by traditional Rajasthani dance performances and a video introducing the connection between LOUIS XIII and India, further heightening anticipation for the next day'sannouncement of the "very rare kind of cognac."

ACTIVITY IN UDAIPUR──A Land Where Religion and Culture Intersect

The next day, we had city sightseeing until the gala dinner in the evening. Rajasthan, where Udaipur is located, includes Jaipur, known as the "Pink City," Jodhpur, also called the "Blue City," and Udaipur, the "White City." Seeing the brilliantly white City Palace during the day made its name's origin clear.

Passing through the Tripolia, the triple-arched gateway of the City Palace built by Maharaja Udai Singh, we entered the museum, where a statue of Ganesha greeted us. Touring the palace's interior revealed the successive additions and renovations by various Maharajas, interestingly showing the influence of both Hindu and Islamic cultures in each era.

Highlights include an octagonal watchtower with a domed roof on the rooftop, the "Peacock Courtyard" (Mor Chowk) with its beautiful peacock mosaics, and the "Ruby Palace" (Manak Mahal) adorned with exquisite glass inlay work. There are also rooms famous for their ceramic tiles, galleries displaying paintings, and numerous treasures such as palanquins, cradles, and weapons once used by the Maharajas.

After the museum, we visited the classic vintage car museum owned by the Maharaja, followed by brunch at the Fatehgarh Hotel, a renowned spot on a hilltop in Udaipur. We also attended the Royal Craft Bazaar, featuring demonstrations by traditional Indian artisans. Purchases made at this bazaar contributed 20% of the amount to the Vidayan Trust, which supports scholarships in India, through the "Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation" presided over by the current Maharaja.

GALA DINNER IN JAG MANDIR ISLAND──Dress Code: Black Tie

Returning to the hotel, I changed into a tuxedo and took a boat to Jag Mandir, the venue for the gala dinner. It was amusing to see men and women in formal attire, black tie and evening gowns, being ferried across in small boats. Jag Mandir is said to have been built by Maharaja Karan Singh, and the island is named after Maharaja Jagat Singh, who oversaw many subsequent additions. The island is lined with stone elephant statues, and the beautifully carved stone pavilions are particularly striking.

The gala dinner featured black table settings, in keeping with the theme of the "very rare kind of cognac = LOUIS XIII Rare Cask 42.6" to be announced tonight. My tablemates were a staff member from Rémy Martin in Russia and a food journalist from the UK. Both had visited Japan before, and we had a lively conversation about Japanese cuisine.the "very rare kind of cognac = LOUIS XIII Rare Cask 42.6"

As the dinner concluded, Cellar Master Pierrette Trichet, who first discovered this rare "cask," took the stage. A tasting followed, guided by her explanations. Madame Trichet shared: "When humans and nature collaborate to create something magnificent, an exceptional masterpiece can emerge, far exceeding expectations. When a state of unparalleled perfection is reached, it is beyond simple explanation."

"At least once a year, check all of LOUIS XIII's tierçons (old casks over 100 years old)."──"This was advice given to me by my predecessor, Cellar Master Georges Clot. The aging process is an infinitely complex natural phenomenon. Unexpected changes are bound to occur. The first edition of LOUIS XIII Rare Cask was discovered in 2004. I pondered the factors that led to the creation of such a magnificent cognac, but I could never replicate the process. However, I instinctively felt that I would discover such a cask again someday."

The "LOUIS XIII Rare Cask 42.6" that I then tasted had a more complex aroma than the standard LOUIS XIII, with a stronger alcohol presence that even I, lacking Madame Trichet's refined olfactory senses, could perceive. A miracle of nature, limited to 738 bottles worldwide, presented in a Baccarat black decanter.──This is a creation born from the collaboration of humans and nature.