260 Years of History

Richard Hennessy was born in Ireland in 1724, elected to serve the French crown, and founded a trading house in Cognac in 1765. Building on a talent for selecting the best eaux-de-vie, he developed trade links throughout Europe and the Americas, marking the history of his Maison with  boldness and and a spirit of openness.

In the early 19th century, Maison Hennessy entrusted the Fillioux family with its cognacs. Jean Fillioux, a cooper, passed on his know-how to his son Christophe, who became the first Master Blender. Their story  continues today with Renaud Fillioux de Gironde, the 8th generation to take on the responsibility of Master Blender.

The quays of Cognac, the historic birthplace of Hennessy, opened up the world thanks to the Charente River, which connected the Maison to global ports. Old photographs and postcards attest to the adventure: to this day, the Charente River endures as a vital cornerstone for Hennessy, a living memory of historic expeditions and an emblematic landmark in the heart of its homeland.

Since its founding, barrels from Maison Hennessy have set sail and made their way to Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia. The company conquered the world, exporting to five continents by the end of the 19th century. From the 1930s onwards, this expansion was accompanied by global advertising, celebrating a wide variety of voices proclaiming cognac's universal appeal. Today, Hennessy is present in 160 countries and is the world leader in premium spirits.