RICHARD HENNESSY

TASTING
FEATURE STORY
DESIGN
DID YOU KNOW
Stories

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 on the family estate.

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 tonnellerie, or 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.

A masterpiece for a masterpiece, 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.

For Richard Hennessy, Daniel Libeskind immersed himself in the richness of history and dedication to craft to design a bottle that is as visionary as the man who inspired it. To capture the founder's spirit, he started with a classic cognac bottle shape, imbuing the geometric, crystalline forms of Baccarat crystal with soft, organic curves that bring new energy and complexity to the cognac it contains.

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

TASTING

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.

FEATURE STORY

THE DISCUSSION BETWEEN TWO ARCHITECTS

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

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DESIGN

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.