Introduction
“They wanna know who’s my role model, it’s in the brown bottle….Hennessy.” In 1992, the famous rapper 2pac dedicated and titled the song “Hennessy.” 2pac is known to have been the first rapper to rap about Hennessy. However, other artists like Snoop Dogg, Drake, and Dej Loaf, have joined the club and sang praises to this household name.
Being one of the big four cognac houses, Hennessy is currently the biggest producer and seller of cognac in the world. Owned by Moët Hennessy, which is in turn owned by LVMH (66%) and Diageo (34%), its humble beginnings started back in 1765.
History of Hennesy
The company was founded by Richard Hennessy, who was an Irish military officer and businessman. Eventually, Richard retired to Cognac, a region in France, where he started to distil and sell brandies. His son James Hennessy gave the company its name, Jos Hennessy & Co. He was also responsible for choosing Jean Fillioux as the house’s Master Blender. A member of the Fillioux family has occupied the role ever since, a relationship that has lasted eight generations and more than 250 years.
Hennessy has since become the world’s leading exporter of cognac with so many expressions under its belt. Let us look at some of its popular products;
Hennessy Paradis
Hennessy Paradis is a luxury cognac known for its voluptuous and harmonious aroma. Created in 1979, it consists of the best grapes in Bordeaux. This gives it a smooth, beautifully subtle aftertaste and mild sweetness.
Hennessy Paradis is made from 100 Eaux-de-vie that have been aged for up to 130 years. Its superb coppery gold colours are an indication of the many years it has spent ageing in old casks.
Nose: rich and deep with notes of spice and fresh flowers and blossom
Palate: There are notes of fresh flowers and spice, dried fruits and candied peels
Finish: Long, warming and very rounded.
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Hennessy X.O
Created in 1870, Hennessy X.O (Extra Old) is made from the Eaux-de-vie aged as old as 30 years. The Eaux-de-vie is aged in young barrels and marked out by their power and energy, but also by their capacity to achieve an excellent roundness through time.
Nose: A rich, fruity palate with prunes, Corinth raisins and sticky toffee pudding.
Palate: Dark chocolate and over-ripe plums. A little sultana character, cocoa butter and spice.
Finish: Spicy, vanilla-led finish with all kinds of dark fruits
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Hennessy VS
Hennessy V.S (Very Special) is one of the most popular cognacs in the world. Aged between two to eight years in new oak barrels, Hennessy V.S is bold and fragrant.
Being the youngest of the Hennessy portfolio, and the least expensive (though still a mid-range, premium price for liquor), Hennessy VS makes for an excellent everyday cognac. It can be taken neat, on the rocks or in cocktails.
Nose: Caramel with spiced oak, nutmeg and black pepper
Palate: You can taste rich caramel which is balanced by oaky dryness, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper spice, with hints of vanilla
Finish: Medium-length and warm with a lingering note of grape must
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Hennessy VSOP
Hennessy V.S.O.P (Very Superior Old Pale) is a balanced cognac, expressing 200 years of Hennessy’s know-how. Specially made for King George IV, England’s then future is created from Eaux-de-vie aged between four to fifteen years.
Nose: Rich, sweet, and autumnal, with big notes of apples and honey, cinnamon, and clove. The dry oak helps balance everything out.
Palate: You can taste notes of plum, ripe grapes, and melon, followed by rich dark chocolate, caramel, and oak
Finish. Medium length, soft caramel and light spice
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Hennessy Master Blender’s Selection
Nothing captures this spirit of craftsmanship more than the Master Blender’s Selection. A unique series of limited-edition releases, it is the result of Hennessy’s Master Blender’s freedom to elaborate a blend which is not replicated in other Hennessy cognacs.
So far, Hennessy has released;
1. Master Blender’s Selection No. 1, released in 2016
2. Master Blender’s Selection No. 2, released in 2017
3. Master Blender’s Selection No. 3, released in 2018
4. Master Blender’s Selection No. 4, released in 2021
Hennessy Classivm
This unique expression of Hennessy was originally produced exclusively for the Chinese market, though it is now sold worldwide. Hennessy Classivm combines the strength of Eaux-de-vie and a singular spicy taste to form a new style of cognac.
Aged for between three and twelve years, the broad spectrum of Eaux-de-vie that make up Hennessy Classivm (blended from Petit and Grande Champagne cognacs ) brings a range of contrasting delights to this innovative style, placing it in the VS classification.
Enjoy it any way you like as this is a cognac to be appreciated on its own, add a few drops of water, can be used as a base in a cocktail, or mixer.
Nose: The aromas begin with mixed wood notes — cedar and oak — along with florals and warm pecans.
Palate: The flavour profile is open, warm, and fruit-forward with apple, grape must, and almonds.
Finish: The finish is medium-length and warm with a lingering note of grape must
Hennessy Black
First released in 2009, Hennessy Black was exclusively available in the United States. Hennessy Black’s bright flavours and smooth character are ideal for cocktails which is why it was intentionally created to be in a mix/cocktails.
Its texture and higher ABV (43%) make it the cognac of choice for many mixologists. These prefered qualities come from selecting around 40 young, fresh and vivid Eaux-de-vies matured for around two to five years in old oak barrels.
Nose: Jasmine and orange flowers that are subtly mixed with hints of citrus, honey, and fresh grapes
Palate: Sweet honey, grape a hint of citrus, jasmine, floral notes
Finish: Smooth
Hennessy Pure White
Hennessy Pure White expresses the qualities of the white wines from which they are distilled. They are produced with the finest white grapes from the sunny Cognac region. The Cognac double distillation accounts for its flowery aromas and powerful character.
The Perfect Serve: let the bottle cool in ice for a while, this will bring out the flowery aromas. Drink it on the rocks in a tumbler or as a long drink. Served over ice with fresh fruit juice or in a cocktail.
Hennessy X.X.O
The cognac Hennessy X.X.O was first created in 1870 alongside Hennessy X.O when Master Blender Emile Fillioux set aside Eaux-de-vie with great potential. The result was Hennessy X.X.O which was launched around the world, starting in 1871.
In 2018, Yann Fillioux, the 7th generation of Master Blender, decided to re-create the Hennessy X.X.O in 2018.
The blend incorporates over 100 Eaux-de-vie with ages between 2 up to 30 years. It’s said to be the first XO ever released, with Hennessy dubbing that name himself. According to the brand, that’s why the full name is technically Hennessy The Original X.O.
Nose: An expressive nose of bitter orange, freshly grated nutmeg, notes of bitter orange, liquorice and peppermint leaf.
Palate: The palate is wonderfully rounded and spiced delicately. The length of the palate exceeds expectations.
Finish: Long, easy and warming. It leaves behind cocoa, plums and light touches of spice and oak
James Hennessy
With this expression, the Tasting Committee pays tribute to James Hennessy. James Hennessy conquered new territories in the quest to spread the success of Hennessy far beyond the region of Cognac.
To be enjoyed neat or on ice.
Nose: Suggestions of mild tobacco and light wisps of smoke combine subtly with toasty aromas.
Palate: Hints of roasted almonds intermingle and merge with Madagascar vanilla to produce soft and delicately perfumed notes.
Finish: Elegant and smooth
Richard Hennessy
This extraordinary cognac expression is named for the founder of the House of Hennessy, Richard Hennessy. Confident and assertive, this exceptional blend is made from some of the scarcest Eaux-de-vie in Hennessy’s reserves.
For this reason, Richard Hennessy cognac has been crafted in an extremely limited quantity and finest quality Eaux-de-vie.
Nose: Discover seductive aromas of hazelnut, butterscotch, spice cake, pipe tobacco and honey
Palate: waves of spice and all sorts of fruit; from ripe and juicy to stewed and deep. Stunning oak interplay.
Finish: Very, very long. The exceptional, flawless movement of oak, spices and fruit leaves cannot be expressed in words.
Conclusion
Hennessy has so many expressions that we cannot possibly include all of them. However, we have a number of Hennessy expressions. You can view or purchase Hennessy from our website, here.
Try a bottle of one of the top-selling and popular cognac brands in the world! Buy Hennessy Online in Nairobi and we will deliver at your doorstep, in Nairobi, and its environs for free. We also have next-day delivery within the country.
Would you like to gift someone special? We do personalized gift hampers, gift wrapping and engravings for that special love, friend, or family member. Let us appreciate the ones we hold dear with a bottle of their favourite drink.
Cheers!
By Roseline Maina: Digital Marketer
