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Hennessy is a legendary cognac house that accounts for 45% of all global sales and 66% of the US market. Every year, Hennessy produces more than 50 million bottles of cognac and exports products to 120 countries. The high reputation of the brand is guaranteed by the strict observance of the specially developed Quality Charter, which regulates all aspects of production.
Historical reference. The company was founded in 1765, when the retired captain Richard Hennessy (Irish by birth) settled in Charente to engage in the production of cognac. The first batch of the drink was exported to Ireland and Britain, the next one went to America and the French colonies.
By 1792, sales amounted to about 3 million bottles. European royal houses became Hennessy customers, then the Russian imperial court joins them. In the XNUMXth century, the outstanding quality of cognac made the brand popular on all continents. After the death of Richard Hennessy, his son Jacques took over the firm, changing its name to Jas Hennessy.
From that time to the present day, the presidency has been occupied exclusively by representatives of eight generations of the family – perhaps this is one of the important components of success. Today, the post of head belongs to the direct descendant of the founder of the company, Gilles Hennessy. Yang Fiyu, who has been cellar master since 1991, is the seventh generation of a dynasty whose name is also inextricably linked with the House of Hennessy. In 2017, the master’s successor was elected, his nephew Renaud Fiyu.
It was the Hennessy house that introduced many concepts and terms later adopted by all manufacturers in the industry. In 1817, in accordance with the wishes of the future British monarch George IV, a very aged cognac of a light shade (Very Superior Old Pale) was created. The abbreviation VSOP began to be used as the official brand standard. Later, Maurice Hennessy was the first in the city to start bottling cognac, he also has the merit of inventing a system of stars to indicate the quality of the drink.
In 1870, a special cognac was created in memory of the founder of the brand. Emile Fiyu selected the best old spirits from four regions of the Cognac region: Grande Champagne, Petit Champagne, Borderies and Fins Bois, some of which are over 30 years old. So the first Hennessy Extra Old appeared (literal translation – “extra old”). The abbreviation XO is now used to refer to cognacs aged for at least 6 years.
The original figurative form of the decanter with a relief image of a vine was invented in 1947. Relatively recently, Hennessy developed several new products: in 1979 Paradis, in 1995 Choice (for China), Bras d’Or and Extra (for duty-free shops ), Privi (for distribution in Japan). In 1996, Richard Hennessy was created, named after the founder of the company.
For many years, the doors of the plant have been open to visitors. In 1996, the original Les Quais Hennessy tourist center was built. The museum, designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, tells about the traditional methods of cognac production in modern conditions. The study tour usually begins with a crossing to the other side of the Charente River, where the company’s warehouses are located. The tour ends with an expert tasting, after which guests are given the opportunity to visit a boutique that presents the entire range of brand cognacs.
Awards
Hennessy products traditionally occupy the top lines in the ratings of strong alcoholic beverages and have been awarded many awards at international competitions:
- 2006 – 2 double gold medals and Best of Show – Brandy (Hennessy Paradis Extra, Hennessy Richard) at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
- 2007-2009 – 2 double gold medals (Hennessy Paradis, Hennessy XO) at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
- 2007 and 2010 – 2 Gold medals (Hennessy Richard, Hennessy Paradis,) at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
- 2012 – 5 Золотых медалей (Hennessy VS, Hennessy Black, Hennessy Paradis, Hennessy VSOP Privilege, Hennessy XO) на San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
- 2012 – Double Gold Medal (Hennessy Richard) at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
- 2013 – Gold medal (Hennessy VS) at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
- 2013 – Bronze medal (Hennessy Black) at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
- 2016 – Gold medal and victory in the category “Best Cognac” (Hennessy VSOP Privilege) at the New York International Spirits Competition.
Interesting Facts
- Since 1856, all bottles have been decorated with a fragment of the coat of arms – a hand in knightly armor clutching a halberd. This heraldic symbol is a kind of reference to the military career of Richard Hennessy.
- In honor of its 250th anniversary, the Hennessy cognac house organized a grand anniversary tour: the route ran along the historical path of the great journeys made by the family from America to Asia.
- Becoming a professional taster at Hennessy requires at least ten years of training and apprenticeship under the supervision of the company’s Tasting Committee.
- One of the most successful advertising images of the brand is recognized as a St. Bernard – a rescue dog with a Hennessy barrel attached to its collar.
- In order to increase the attractiveness of the brand in the eyes of the youth audience, a popular rapper and actor from Brooklyn Nas was invited to shoot commercials.
Types of cognac Hennessy
Hennessy VSOP, 40%
Balanced and harmonious cognac – a blend of 60 cognac spirits, the exposure of which reaches 15 years. It has a multifaceted bouquet with notes of hazelnut and sandalwood. Exquisite taste with bright hints of honey, ripe pear, roasted almonds.
Hennessy VS, 40%
The modern equivalent of the original “three-star” Hennessy created in 1865. Considered one of the most popular cognacs in the world, it has been repeatedly awarded gold medals at international competitions. Firm and round, with a complex bouquet that reveals shades of walnut and toasted bread, aromas of baked goods with almonds. The taste is balanced tones of walnut, grape seed and vanilla.
Hennessy Very Special Limited Edition, 40%
New edition of the limited series from the house of Hennessy. The design of the bottle was entrusted to the famous American artist and tattoo artist Scott Campbell. The artist decorated the label and gift box with fine calligraphy and the image of two wings as a symbol of freedom of creativity and spirit. The blend consists of spirits aged 3-6 years and has an exquisite bouquet, which combines floral notes with hints of grapefruit, grapes and almonds. The aftertaste is rich with vanilla notes.
Hennessy XO, 40%
Produced since 1870. The assemblage contains more than 100 distillates, aged on average 20-30 years, the oldest spirit is over 90 years old. Volumetric and rich taste reveals notes of chocolate, dried fruits, cloves, cardamom, oak, black pepper. It has a long and dynamic aftertaste: walnut, moderate grape sweetness, agave saltiness.
Hennessy Library, 40%
The main idea is expressed in the name and gift box: collectible cognac is the same rarity and value as old rare books. The age of cognac spirits in the assemblage is 10-12 years.
The bouquet reveals tones of vanilla, the aroma of walnut and black bread. Warm notes of melting chocolate, gingerbread, oak and white pepper sound in the refined taste. Long sweet aftertaste with tones of dried apricots, white chocolate, coffee.
Hennessy Paradis, 40%
The blend, assembled by Maurice Fillou, consists of 100 rare cognac spirits aged from 20 to 30 years. The bouquet reveals notes of candied fruits, honey and dried fruits with subtle nuances of cinnamon. Soft silky taste with hints of grapes, almonds and candied orange. In the aftertaste, notes of prunes and spices are noticeable.
Hennessy Paradis Imperial, 40%
Cognac with a rich history: created in 1818 as a gift to the Russian Emperor Alexander I at the personal request of his mother. The lost recipe was restored after almost two centuries by the efforts of the assemblage master Jan Fiyu, who considers this drink the pinnacle of his career. The blend uses rare XNUMXth and XNUMXth century eaux-de-vies from the Founder’s Cellar. Considered one of the jewels of the House of Hennessy collection, a crystal decanter with a royal lily stopper was specially commissioned for the drink.
The expressive and powerful character of this cognac is revealed by the nobility of the bouquet with aromas of jasmine, orange blossoms, fresh grapes. Intense taste with notes of fruit and creme brulee ends with a long, warming aftertaste.
Hennessy Richard, 40%
Dedicated to Richard Hennessy, cognac is made from very old spirits from the so-called “Founder’s Cellar”. The assemblage of Folle Blanche and Ugni Blanc gives the cognac a masculine character. A rich and elegant bouquet reveals aromas of citrus, toffee, dried apricots and spices, beautiful nuances of leather and Havana cigars. It has a deep berry-fruit flavor with hints of vanilla, honey and hazelnuts. It is poured into crystal decanters, numbered and individually differentiated.
Hennessy Futura VS 40%
Produced in a limited series. To create an unusual bottle design, the company attracted the popular American graffiti artist Futura. More than 40 alcohols are used in the blend. In the bouquet, notes of magnolia, fresh grapes and walnuts are complemented by softness of taste and a long aftertaste.
