HENNESSY LEGACY

1765

At the beginning, Richard Hennessy, an Irish officer

The Hennessy cognac trading house is founded by Richard Hennessy, an Irish man who had previously served as an officer in the army of Louis XV.

1794

First shipments of Hennessy cognac to America

According to the Maison archives, Hennessy cognac arrives to New York. From then on, it becomes more and more popular in the United States, a country that had gained its independence just 18 years before. Hennessy has never left America since, establishing itself increasingly firmly in African American music.

1804

Once barrelled now bottled

In order to reach the far corners of the globe, Hennessy is one of the first to export cognac in labelled glass bottles. The Hennessy label was seen as a guarantee of quality, sought-after all over the world.

1806

When two become one

Richard Hennessy names Jean Fillioux as the first Hennessy Master Blender. Jean Fillioux who had joined Hennessy as a cooper to construct barrels, was put in charge of overseeing the reserve of eaux-de-vie. An extraordinary relationship developes between the two families: eight generations of Fillioux have overseen the aging and blending of cognacs produced by the Hennessy family.

1817

Creation of Hennessy Very Superior Old Pale

The Prince of Wales, later King George IV of Great Britain, a great cognac connoisseur asks Hennessy to create a "very superior old pale" cognac.

1818

First shipments of Hennessy to Russia

Empress Maria Federovna asks Maison Hennessy to produce the most exceptional cognac as a birthday present for her son Czar Alexander I. From then on, the imperial family regularly orders Hennessy cognac.

1819

First shipments to Calcutta, India

The first official record of a Hennessy shipment to India dates from 1819. Special precautions are taken due to the long trip and the very special weather conditions. John Exshaw, based in Bordeaux, was a trading house specialized in ultramarine trade and recommended that Hennessy House use high-quality, well-ironed barrels.

1852

The first shipment to Australia

From 1850 to 1914, Australia is one of Hennessy best customers. Cognac is shipped on boats and transboarded in Tonnay Charente for London where it is taken care of by English merchants in charge of its transport to Australia.

1856

The 'Bras Armé,' becomes the brand symbol

The iconic fist clutching a hatchet refers to founder Richard Hennessy's family coat of arms.

1859

The first Hennessy shipments to China

Since the opening of the Suez Canal in the mid-nineteenth century, China had been no more than a month away from the great southern French port of Marseille. The first Hennessy order arrives from China on December 28th, 1859. Nicquet Faroux & Schuwirth fulfills the order for 25 cases, each containing 12 bottles of Hennessy pale eaux-de-vie vintage 1857.

1865

Contribution to the creation of a star based classification system for cognac qualities.

Maurice Hennessy, great-grandson of founder Richard Hennessy, contributes to the creation of a cognac classification. This classification offers varying numbers of stars to designate different quality, giving rise to Hennessy's Three Star Cognac.

1866

First shipments of Hennessy to Japan

The first trace of an expedition of Hennessy to Japan found in the Maison archives dates back to October 18, 1866. Shipping to Morgan Brother in Yokohama, 35 cases of twelve bottles of Fine Pale.

1869

First shipments of Hennessy to Brazil

First shipments to Brazil, 30 cases of one star eau-de-vie, for Munzer & Spann.

1870

Maurice Hennessy creates  a new quality named X.O 

Maurice Hennessy creates the Cognac Hennessy X.O (Extra Old). Originally for family and friends, it becomes emblematic of the Maison Hennessy and contributes to the category's creation. Hennessy X.O is today a worldwide reference for cognacs.

1891

First shipments of Hennessy to Zanzibar

February 28, 1891 sees the first expedition to Africa, outside of South Africa and Maghreb. The order is shipped to Zanzibar, which is under British protectorate since July 1, 1890. It is Henry Greffulhe, a banker, who placed the order for 25 cases of three stars eau-de-vie.

1912

Hennessy advertising in Asia

Hennessy ads increase the brand visibility in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

1947

Creation of the Hennessy X.O carafe

Gérald de Geoffre de Chabrignac, a descendant of Richard Hennessy, creates the now distinctive X.O flacon design.

1949

Hennessy accompanies Paul-Emile Victor

True to the brand's adventurous personality, bottles of Hennessy 3-Star cognacs accompany the Paul-Emile Victor expedition to the Arctic.

1979

Creation of Hennessy Paradis

Master Blender Maurice Fillioux, 6th generation of Master Blender creates Hennessy Paradis as an ode to symphonic music – a voluptuous cognac made from eaux-de-vie selected for their distinctiveness to make the perfect blend.

1996

Creation of Richard Hennessy

Master Blender Yann Fillioux, 7th generation, creates for true connoisseurs of great cognac, Richard Hennessy. This superb blend is a testament to 250 years of history, talent, knowledge and expertise, encapsulating the Hennessy savoir-faire.