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Celebrating 250 years of Hennessy

Keeping in mind the 250th anniversary of Hennessy cognac, Maurice-Richard Hennessy—a direct descendant of the founder of the Hennessy company—tells us what makes the brand special

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What is the one thing about Hennessy cognac that has remained constant in the last 250 years? 
Hennessy is a human story. The collaboration of two families—Hennessy and Fillioux—over centuries is quite unique and is part of Hennessy’s legacy. However, it is not simply about the legacy or learning a trade, but about passing down a passion and a shared vision of excellence. That’s why this idea of transmission of the savoir-faire and legacy has remained constant for 250 years. The unique quality and excellence of Hennessy blends over 250 years, thanks to the Tasting Committee that has nurtured the unique collection of eaux-de-vie for future generations, has also remained the same.

What makes Hennessy unique?
First of all, the House of Hennessy has linked two families—the Hennessys and the Fillioux—for seven generations, over the last 250 years. The Hennessy Comité de Dégustation (tasting committee) is also unparalleled in the world of cognac. Today, a Fillioux heir still chairs the tasting committee. 

At Hennessy, we only use only eaux-de-vie from the four great crus—Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies and Fins Bois—of the region. Hennessy also owns the largest stock of cognac eaux-de-vie in the world; 2,50,000 barrels, with some eaux-de-vie over 200 years old. Hennessy is the only cognac house that still owns its very own tonnellerie (barrel making), La Sarrazine. 
Hennessy is a pioneer in the Cognac world; Maurice Hennessy and Emile Fillioux created X.O. L’Original, and Maurice Hennessy himself invented the system of stars to identify cognacs.

How has cognac sales grown in India?
The first shipments to India took place in 1819, so Hennessy has a long history with India. Although it’s not one of the most important markets, Hennessy has excellent relations with India and sales have been growing constantly.

How can one enjoy a good cognac in a hot country such as India?
In India, we sell most of our range from premium to ultra-prestige. We have traditional drinkers for the prestige such as X.O, which you can enjoy neat, on ice or with water. Premium products such as Very Special are consumed in cocktails. Hennessy Very Special and Hennessy V.S.O.P can be drunk dry or on the rocks, and also blended with different ingredients—sparkling or still water, mint, lime... It allows an infinite number of combinations for refreshing drinks.

Cognac is generally consumed in very cold countries. But we are seeing that China's consumption of Cognac is increasing, how would you explain this paradox?
Cognac is consumed everywhere in the word, not only in cold countries. Hennessy has been present for more than 250 years and first exported to China in 1859. Our entire range, from premium to ultra-prestige, has a presence in China. The Y generation is very keen on Hennessy Classium and drink it in a cocktail. The cognac market is in constant evolution and traditional markets discover a more modern consumption through cocktails. 

Other markets that have discovered cognac pretty recently are rapidly changing, like Africa with particularly important markets such as Nigeria and South Africa, and the Philippines and Malaysia in Asia.


The H250 Collector Blend

Tell us about the H250 blend
To mark 250 years of savoir-faire, tradition and innovation, Hennessy has created the exclusive H250 blend with Master Blender Yann Fillioux and his Comité de Degustation. The Hennessy 250 Collector blend distinguishes itself by its bright, warm shade of amber, which comes from the slow ageing of the eaux-de-vie and the successive blending processes. Aromatic tones ranging from herbal to spicy give it a remarkable voluptuousness, revealing notes of bitter orange and fresh nutmeg, liquorice, dried peppermint leaves and precious spices such as saffron.


While powerful on the palate, the Hennessy 250 Collector Blend possesses elegance, highlighted by a delightful nuance of spicy complexity.

The 250 barrels—entirely handmade by traditional coopers from La Sarrazine, Hennessy’s cooperage—that hold the Hennessy 250 Collector Blend have been specially sized for the event. They hold 250 litres (rather than the usual 270).

How has Moet Hennessy evolved as a brand?
Moët Hennessy is the wine and spirits division of the LVMH group. It encompasses 21 prestigious brands internationally renowned for the quality of their land, craftsmanship and products.

 

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