The history of the Hennessy family dates back to the 18th century, when Richard Hennessy, an Irish officer in the service of the King of France, decided to settle in Cognac, in the Charente region, to set up in the brandy trade. Drawing on his expertise and knowledge of the market, Richard Hennessy quickly made a name for himself, producing Cognacs of exceptional quality.
Over the generations, the Hennessy family has passed on its winemaking know-how and heritage, contributing to the worldwide renown of the house of Cognac. Today, Hennessy belongs to the luxury group LVMH, while remaining true to its values of excellence and tradition.
The terroir of the Charente region is a fundamental element in the production of Cognac Hennessy. Vineyards extend over some 70,000 hectares, covering six appellation contrôlée zones, the most prestigious of which are the crus of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne. These terroirs, characterized by limestone soil, benefit from a moderate oceanic climate, creating ideal conditions for growing the Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche and CoLombard grape varieties.
The quality of the terroir, combined with sustainable and responsible viticulture methods, enables the vines to produce grapes of the highest quality, which will be used to produce the exceptional Hennessy brandies.
The production of Cognac Hennessy is a complex and meticulous process. It begins with the careful selection of the finest eaux-de-vie, which are then distilled twice in traditional copper stills. Ageing is the key stage in the production of Cognac Hennessy, which takes place in French oak casks, often from the Tronçais and Limousin forests. The eaux-de-vie age for years, even decades, in these barrels, acquiring their complexity, subtle aromas and unique character.
Hennessy is also renowned for its art of blending, which involves skilfully marrying different eaux-de-vie of different ages and crus to create balanced, harmonious Cognacs. The cellar masters, guardians of Hennessy know-how, hold the Secrets of this ancestral art, preserving the consistency and excellence of the cuvées.
The Cognacs Hennessy are distinguished by their aromatic richness, roundness on the palate and long finish. They offer a complex aromatic palette, ranging from ripe fruit and citrus notes to spicy, vanilla and woody aromas. On the palate, Cognacs are soft, velvety, with hints of caramel and fruit Secs, testifying to their great maturity.
