RICHARD HENNESSY

A masterpiece for a masterpiece

Confident and assertive, this exceptional blend is made from some of the scarcest eaux-de-vie in Hennessy's reserves, carefully selected and preserved in The Founder's Cellar.
For this reason, Richard Hennessy cognac has been crafted in an extremely limited quantity: 12 tierçons, a historic barrel handcrafted in French oak by generations of cooper Masters at Hennessy's own barrel-making workshop.

In a meeting of visionary minds, Richard Hennessy's monumental legacy finds a contemporary incarnation in a bold, architectural, and graceful decanter in Baccarat crystal, as well as ritual accessories (glasses, a fusil, and a tray) designed by the world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind.

The result is at once intuitive and unexpected: a monumental tribute to a pioneer.

COLOR

Its wonderful amber colours show a pure and warm intensity, foretelling of an undeniable power to come.

NOSE

The nose is filled with delicate flowery notes, soft spices, nutmeg and hints of fennel.

PALATE

The spices, notes of leather and preserved fruits appear and reappear over and over, returning to emphasise the aromatic complexity of the nose in one magnificent symphony of flavour.

COLOR

NOSE

PALATE

Its wonderful amber colours show a pure and warm intensity, foretelling of an undeniable power to come.

The nose is filled with delicate flowery notes, soft spices, nutmeg and hints of fennel.

The spices, notes of leather and preserved fruits appear and reappear over and over, returning to emphasise the aromatic complexity of the nose in one magnificent symphony of flavour.

FEATURE STORY

THE DISCUSSION BETWEEN TWO ARCHITECTS

DANIEL LIBESKIND & RENAUD FILLIOUX DE GIRONDE PAY TRIBUTE TO 250 YEARS OF HISTORY

THE 12 CHAPTER'S OF RICHARD HENNESSY'S LIFE

CHOOSE YOUR CHAPTER

1/12

Richard Hennessy's birthplace: Ireland 1724-1743

Richard Hennessy was born in Ireland. The descendent of a prominent family of Celtic origin, Richard spent his childhood at the family estate of Ballymacmoy, in County Cork. Below flowed the River Blackwater and, just a bit further on.... the sea.

2/12

Enlistment in the army, a new European citizen: ARMY 1743-1756

For the young Richard, a Catholic and the last of his siblings, remaining on native soil was inconceivable. France welcomed him, and he joined the prestigious Irish regiment of Clare in the army of King Louis XV. An apprenticeship in exile, and the opening of a new world.

3/12

The birth of a businessman: OSTEND 1756-1764

A few years later, Richard joined some family members in the thriving port city of Ostend and began a new apprenticeship that would continue throughout his life: that of international commerce. From the port, with its quays and ships bound for the four corners of the globe, Richard set his eyes on new horizons.

4/12

The founding of a trading house: TRADE 1765

Neither an heir nor independently wealthy, Richard had to work to make his way and provide for his family. He decided to establish a business with the help of two associates who could invest the necessary capital.

5/12

Settling in Cognac: THE TOWN OF COGNAC

In 1765, he chose Cognac, along the Charente River, to establish a trading house for eaux-de-vie. Nearly 260 years later, the Hennessy address in Cognac remains the same, and the House Richard founded still carries his name.

6/12

A businessman's first steps: TERROIR 1765-1776

Richard was an affable, sociable man, an assiduous correspondent, and a keen observer of an environment subjected to the upheavals of the day. Within just a few years, he established the reputation necessary to develop a business trading eaux-de-vie. He had a flair for picking up on what consumers wanted in the Old and New World alike: excellent cognacs of new and unique qualities, born of the Charente terroir.

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The dark years: MELANCHOLY 1776-1788

Hard times put the business at the mercy of circumstance: the French Revolution, war, new maritime trade routes and customs duties all contributed to instability and the need for greater agility. Richard struggled through, but when personal tragedy struck and he lost two sons and his wife in just a few months, he was overcome by doubt and despair. He might have put an end to it all…

8/12

Resilience and rebound: RESILIENCE 1788

Having left his homeland, embraced the Enlightenment, built a reputation and forged fraternal ties all over the world, Richard could not give up. Above all, he had his son James by his side. Richard had fought many battles; James would be the victor.

9/12

Cultivating one's garden and savoring its delights: A TIME OF SERENITY 1789-1800

Amidst parcels of vines, a river bordered by poplar trees, a home with thick walls, a kitchen garden, and a library, Richard relaxed at La Billarderie and enjoyed the serenity of his twilight years. James was hard at work nearby, in Cognac. The Maison Hennessy would live on.

10/12

Dawn of a new era: AFTER RICHARD

In just two generations, Richard and James — father and son — established not only a House but a dynasty. Successors would take up the flame and bring their own ingenuity to the family saga. They would also team up with another talented clan, the Fillioux family of Master Blenders.

11/12

Richard Hennessy, a living testimony through a new decanter: THE TRIBUTE

A masterpiece for a masterpiece, designed by the world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, this aesthetically striking decanter is an art object in its own right that brilliantly expresses the character of Richard Hennessy and the cognac he inspired: it is visionary, complex, and unapologetically intense.

12/12

Richard Hennessy: ARCHITECT OF ETERNITY

Richard Hennessy is a living testimony to our founder’s vision and the history of the Maison. It is our rarest cognac from some of the oldest eaux-de-vie in the world, paying tribute to Richard Hennessy’s rare visionary mindset that paved the way for Hennessy’s future. To us, Richard was the architect of eternity, and this cognac is his legacy.

DID YOU KNOW

ARCHITECT OF ETERNITY

Richard, the commensurate army man, built the iconic Maison Hennessy with a rare ability to identify brilliant talents and work with them to bring out their best. During his time in the French army, Richard corresponded with his uncle in Belgium who was already trading eaux-de-vie from Cognac, and Richard began to build his business on this relationship.

Richard’s son James also helped to propel success through his determination and clearsighted ability. James expanded the business and outlined the vision for Maison Hennessy, set forth by Richard: the house and reputation of Hennessy had to be outstanding. Together, Richard and James embraced a pioneering and ambitious spirit.

RARE COGNACS

The ageing, the vineyards, the shipments—everything was carefully controlled, always with the long view of the company and products in mind.

First, we select eaux-de-vie for maturation only when they have an outstanding ability to age.

Second, Hennessy rare cognacs are only made with eaux-de-vie that have matured for a long period of time.

Third, the precise task of identifying and blending eaux-de-vie has always been in the expert hands of our Fillioux Master Blenders and tasting committee.

A LIVING TESTIMONY

Only a very few eaux-de-vie can pass the test of time, which is why we bottle no more than 12 barrels per year.

This ability to keep the long view in mind is a quintessential part of Hennessy's DNA. In honour of our founder, Richard Hennessy, this cognac is strong in character, long-lasting, and unapologetically intense. Its perfect construction reveals itself through tasting: it surprises and ambushes the senses.

It is a true connoisseur’s cognac – rich yet controlled, unfathomably complex. In tribute, the name recalls our founder’s Irish origins and the family’s saga of an adventurous soldier who became a visionary entrepreneur.