Gold In The Glass: When Anish Kapoor Met Rémy Martin XO

One of the world’s most celebrated artists rarely lends his hand to brand collaborations – but for Rémy Martin, Anish Kapoor made an exception. Country & Town House explores a rare meeting of minds, materials and mastery.

Inside The Rémy Martin X Anish Kapoor Collaboration

‘My father was in the navy in India,’ says Anish Kapoor, standing next to a gleaming sculptural disc of burnished reds and golds at the ICA in Piccadilly. ‘He’d come back from far-flung ports – Bangkok, wherever – with rare things. Rémy Martin was one of them. It was special. Coveted. It had a kind of mystique.’

That sensory memory laid the foundation for a creative partnership of real authenticity. Kapoor – the visionary behind Cloud Gate in Chicago and the immersive, unsettling Descent into Limbo – is one of the most influential artists working today. Known for his manipulation of form, light and void, he is famously selective when it comes to collaboration. But for Rémy Martin – a house that, like Kapoor, obsessively pursues depth, complexity and time – he made an exception.

The result is a twofold creative endeavour: a redesigned XO decanter, and a dedicated sculptural artwork that visually channels the colour, complexity and emotion of Rémy Martin XO.

‘I tried to find the colour of the colour,’ Kapoor explains, gesturing towards the deep, almost glowing disc that accompanies the decanter. ‘It’s not easy. The liquid inside the bottle isn’t one fixed thing – it changes, depending on the light, the space. I wanted to hold onto some of that atmosphere.’

Created over six months with his close-knit studio team, the sculpture involved an intensive process of pigment layering, surface refinement and mirror concavity – techniques Kapoor has honed for decades. ‘I’ve been making concave mirrors for some time. What interests me is that the colour isn’t just on the surface. It’s across the void. It reads through the space.’

The artwork – rich in pagan golds, oxblood reds, and burnt umbres – speaks to the Cognac itself: a blend of more than 400 eaux-de-vie, aged for decades, with notes that range from jasmine and fig to leather and spice.

‘There’s a kind of resonance,’ Kapoor adds. ‘The work and the liquid – both have depth, a play of opposites, a kind of sensual complexity.’

This project also marks the first time Rémy Martin has allowed a reinterpretation of its iconic XO decanter. Kapoor’s version is elegant and pared back. ‘I didn’t want to break away from the traditional form,’ he says. ‘It wasn’t about making a statement. Just a small gesture, a respectful evolution within the house’s DNA.’

For Rémy Martin, the collaboration is a landmark. ‘Honestly, it’s the first time we’ve ever touched the XO decanter like this,’ said Jean-Philippe Hecquet, CEO. ‘It’s a jewel already – and the way Anish treated it was just perfect. He kept its soul but added his touch.’

When asked what emotion he hoped to evoke for those who collect the piece, Kapoor smiled. ‘Oh my God, impossible question. Hopefully they enjoy the drink. Hopefully they like the look of the bottle. What more can you say?’

How To Drink Rémy Martin XO

A masterclass in sipping with all the senses

If you’ve only ever encountered Cognac as a postprandial swirl in a balloon glass, prepare to have your senses rewired. Rémy Martin’s immersive tasting ritual, Opulence Revealed, redefines the art of drinking XO. Here’s how to do it justice:

1. Choose the Right Glass

Forget the old-school brandy snifter. A Burgundy wine glass is best – allowing the aromas to bloom gently and retain their complexity in the bowl of the glass.

2. Don’t Swirl It (Yet)

While wine might benefit from immediate swirling, Cognac is more delicate. Let the XO settle before gently winding the glass later to avoid losing its more ethereal notes.

3. See the Liquid Gold

Hold the glass up to the light and observe the colour – deep amber, flecked with gold. The hues shift with the light, echoing the tones captured in Anish Kapoor’s artwork for the limited edition.

4. Smell in Stages

Bring the glass to different points around your face to layer the aromas:

• From a distance: delicate florals, jasmine, hints of orchard fruit
• Closer to your chin: dried apricot, fig, richer stewed fruits
• Right under the nose: incense, leather, spice – the signature of older eaux-de-vie in the blend
  

5. Sip Slowly

The first sip is just to awaken your palate. The second is where the flavour truly unfurls – velvety, spicy, with a remarkable balance of fruit, oak and warmth.

6. Pair Thoughtfully

For the ultimate sensory experience, try pairing with figs, dark chocolate, aged cheese (like Spenwood or Parmesan), or orange zest – all elements found in XO’s aromatic profile.

The Rémy Martin XO x Anish Kapoor limited edition is available from spring 2025 in select global markets. Each bottle comes with access to Kapoor’s exclusive accompanying artwork and tasting experience. remymartin.com