Hennessy
Founded | 1765 |
---|---|
Founder | Richard Hennessy |
Headquarters | Cognac, France |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Laurent Boillot, Chairman & CEO; Boris de Vroomen, International Director |
Products | Cognac |
Revenue | €954.2 million (2012) |
Owner | LVMH (66%) Diageo (34%) |
Website | Hennessy.com |
Jas Hennessy & Cie., commonly known simply as Hennessy (French pronunciation: [ɛnɛsi]), is a French producer of cognac, which has its headquarters in Cognac, France.
It is one of the most known cognac houses,
The brand is owned by
History
The Hennessy cognac
Hennessy became the world's leading exporter of brandy in the 1840s, a status it has never lost.
The V.S.O.P. designation was first applied in 1817, when the Prince Regent (later
A branch of the Hennessy family moved from France to England in the early 1900s. It established itself in the Army and in English politics, eventually earning the title of Baron Windlesham. Although family ties are alive, the English branch is no longer involved in the cognac business.
In 1944 Kilian Hennessy, a fifth-generation direct descendant of Richard Hennessy, began assisting his cousin Maurice Hennessy in running the business.[12] Kilian Hennessy had intended to be a banker, but instead went on to position Hennessy as an international brand, travelling to Ireland, the United States and Asia to promote the brand.[12] He first visited China in 1946, and the nation has since become the world's second-largest cognac market.[13] In 1947, Hennessy's business relationship with Martell also came to a close, after the death of Maurice Firino-Martell.[14]
Hennessy has also become a key part of major luxury
.In 1988, a management crisis led to the group's takeover by
Kilian Hennessy remained on the company's advisory board until his death in 2010 at the age of 103.[15] An eighth generation representative of the Hennessy dynasty, Maurice-Richard Hennessy, acts as one of the brand's global ambassadors. He had originally trained as a farmer before entering the family business.[18]
From 2018 onward, Hennessy experienced production shortages caused in part by increased demand, bottle shortages, and frosts.[19]
Marketing
Hennessy holds the largest collection of cognac eaux-de-vie in the world, with more than 470,000 casks in its cellars.[3] Through a process of blending and maturation of varying lengths, it makes several distinct gradings of cognac. As well as its V.S and V.S.O.P. gradings, which make up the majority of its sales, Hennessy is known for expensive specialist cognacs, some of which are still blended by the Fillioux family.[5]
Limited editions of Hennessy can contain more than one hundred different eaux-de-vie, some of which can be centuries old; they are traditionally accompanied with luxurious trimmings such as custom-made boxes and hand-blown carafes.[20] A bottle of Richard Hennessy, for example, is priced at around USD$7,000, and comes in a Baccarat crystal decanter with matching glasses, a fusil, and a tray, all designed by the architect Daniel Libeskind.[21]
Since 2009, Hennessy has released a number of collectible editions to mark anniversaries, special occasions, or collaborations with artists, designers and organisations, such as the NBA.[22] It has collaborated with Zhang Enli, Les Twins, Refik Anadol, Kaws and Marc Newson among others.
Hennessy is also used as an ingredient in
Hennessy has a substantial consumer base among African Americans, who drink the majority of the cognac consumed in the United States.[26] Accordingly, the brand has also marketed itself with initiatives around black entrepreneurship and Black History Month.[4]
Products
- Hennessy V.S
- Privilége V.S.O.P
- Hennessy X.O
- Hennessy X.X.O
- Hennessy Master Blender's selection
- Hennessy Paradis
- Richard Hennessy
- James Hennessy
- Hennessy Paradis Imperial
- Hennessy 8
- Hennessy Timeless
- Hennessy Ellipse
- Hennessy Black
- Hennessy Pure White
- Hennessy Classivm
- Hennessy Fine de Cognac
Collectors' bottles
Collector bottle | Year released | Description | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Hennessy VS "44" | 2009 | Honor of 44th president Barack Obama | |
Hennessy VS "NUL" | 2010 | National Urban League | |
Hennessy VS "BOA" | 2010 | Blending of Art (five different bottles with two designers per) | |
Hennessy VS "KAWS" | 2011 | New York graffiti artist KAWS design | |
Hennessy VS x Luminous | 2013 | Club Edition of bottle with luminous front label | |
Hennessy VS x STEPHANE ASHPOOL | 2013 | Exclusively available in France, is entirely covered with a "chameleon" paint presenting a mixture of blue, yellow and green. | |
Hennessy VS x Os Gemeos |
2013 | Brazilian artists Otavio and Gustavo Pandolf | |
Hennessy VS x Shepard Fairey | 2014 | Brazilian artists Otavio and Gustavo Pandolf | |
Hennessy VS x Shepard Fairey Deluxe Edition | 2014 | Gift set of two bottles with a booklet providing a behind-the-scenes look at the Hennessy and Shepard Fairey partnership, and three exclusive collectible stickers designed by the artist | |
Hennessy VS x Scott Campbell | 2016 | ||
Hennessy VS x Scott Campbell Deluxe Edition | 2016 | Gift set of two bottles with a booklet providing a behind-the-scenes look at the Hennessy and Scott Campbell partnership, in a wooden box | |
Hennessy VS JonOne | 2017 | ||
Hennessy VS x Vhils | 2018 | ||
Hennessy VS x Felipe Pantone | 2019 | ||
Hennessy VS x Julien Colombier | 2021 | ||
Hennessy VS x Les Twins | 2021 | Two editions were released | |
Hennessy VS x Nas | 2023 | 50th anniversary of hip hop | |
VSOP | |||
Hennessy VSOP Helios | 2011 | Gold Bottle (named after Greek god of sun) | |
Hennessy VSOP "NyX" | 2011 | Platinum bottle (label glows under black light) | |
Hennessy VSOP Kyrios | 2012 | Black bottle (3D label) | |
Hennessy VSOP Depuis | 2013 | Red bottle | |
Hennessy VSOP x John Maeda | 2017 | With glasses | |
XO | |||
Hennessy X.O x Marc Newson | 2017 | ||
Hennessy XO Odyssey | 2007–11 | Released every year since 2007 (2011 bottle sits on rock formation) | |
Other Editions | |||
Hennessy Kenzo | 1997–99 | Fashion designer Kenzo (subsidiary of LVMH) | [n 1] |
Hennessy Red Book | 2011 | Levandovka filling | |
Hennessy X Futura | 2012 | New York graffiti artist Futura | |
Hennessy Fine De Cognac and Tea | 2011 | Tea House Maison de Thé Théodor |
In popular culture
Hennessy has a long-standing relationship with
Hennessy has actively pursued this consumer group for decades. It targeted minority audiences as early as the 1950s, when it placed advertisements in African American magazines like Ebony and Jet, used African American models, and hired African American employees.[28] By some estimates more than two thirds of Hennessy sold in the United States is consumed by African Americans.[29] It is sometimes referred to as "Henny".[30]
Hennessy appears frequently in the lyrics of popular music, and by one estimate the words "Hennessy" or "cognac" are referenced in more than 1,000 songs.[28][31]
Some notable examples include "
In a 2019 interview with the South China Morning Post, Maurice-Richard Hennessy said that “the word ‘Hennessy’ goes well in a song", and disclosed that he had met several rap artists, who he thought were "nice people". He told the paper that "they often come from poor backgrounds and ask me about recommendations, how to drink it, how it’s made.”[52]
Hennessy is the drink of choice for Blues musician Del Paxton in the movie
At the 2009 VMAs interruption, Kanye West was reportedly intoxicated after drinking Hennessy and other various alcoholic drinks before his infamous interruption of Taylor Swift.[55]
Hennessy Literary Awards
Hennessy sponsors the New Irish Writing competition in the Irish Independent, and the associated annual Hennessy Literary Award, that has launched such Irish writers as Joseph O'Connor, Dermot Bolger, Colm Ó Clúbhán, Patrick McCabe, Colum McCann, Frank McGuinness, Anne Enright, Hugo Hamilton, Dermot Healy and Neil Jordan.[56][57][58]
Notable consumers
Hennessy was the favourite drink of
Rapper and actor DMX stated that Hennessy was his go-to alcoholic drink when he went clubbing. Actors, rappers and friends would further confirm his "love" for Hennessy.
Notes
- ^ Produced for the Australian, Hong Kong, Indonesian, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and United States market. Around 18000 bottles were then produced, with the blue version launched in 1997 and the yellow one in 1999.
References
- ^ "Cognac makers look beyond China for growth". Reuters. 2011-09-23. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "Cognac makers ramp up U.S. efforts as China sips less". Reuters. 2015-11-22. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ a b "Hennessy, high-end cognac - Wines & Spirits". LVMH. June 2021. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ a b "Cognac's Streak Continues –". Market Watch. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-067040-5.
- ^ "DIAGEO Annual Report 2021" (PDF).
- ISSN 0024-3019.
- ^ a b "MHD | Moët Hennessy Diageo". MHD | Moët Hennessy Diageo (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "Hennessy, l'empire du cognac". France-Soir. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- ^ Morganstern, Adam. "Hennessy 8: A $40,000 Cognac Celebrates Two Families Working Together For Eight Generations". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "Hennessy, high-end cognac - Wines & Spirits". LVMH. June 2021. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
- ^ a b "Cognac magnate responsible for transforming family business". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "Cognac sales jump 31% as drinkers go upmarket". Reuters. 2022-01-17. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-84533-614-1.
- ^ Agence France Presse. 3 October 2010. Archived from the originalon 10 March 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ a b Kirkpatrick, David D. (26 April 1999). "The Luxury Wars - Nymag". New York Magazine. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "5 Questions With Maurice Hennessy On The Hennessy Paradis Imperial". MICHELIN Guide. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "LVMH opens new cognac bottling plant to cope with US demand". South China Morning Post. 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "Why apprentice tasters in Hennessy have to remain silent for at least five years". CNA Luxury. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ Morganstern, Adam. "Hennessy Unveils A $7,000 Bottle Designed By Legendary Architect Daniel Libeskind". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "HENNESSY VS editions". Website of donhenny-hennessycollector!. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "Introducing Hennessy Black", cocktailenthusiast.com, 2 June 2010; retrieved 16 March 2011.
- ^ Hein, Kenneth. "Cognac is in the house", allbusiness.com, 22 September 2003; accessed 8 November 2014.
- ^ Hennessy. "Hennessy And Multi-Platinum Recording Artist Nas Unveil Year Two Of The "Wild Rabbit"". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "Why Cognac Makers Want More U.S. Business". Fortune. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ a b Mitenbuler, Reid (2013-12-04). "African-Americans Have Been Drinking Cognac for a Lot Longer Than You Think". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ a b c Holman, words: Bianca (2016-09-13). "Hennessy's Popularity Is Not Due To Hip Hop. The Story Is Much Deeper Than That". VinePair. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "Cognac makers ramp up U.S. efforts as China sips less". Reuters. 2015-11-22. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
- ^ Fields, words: Jessica (2022-02-21). "10 Things You Should Know About Hennessy Cognac". VinePair. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "Lyrics containing the term: hennessy". www.lyrics.com. Retrieved 2018-01-27.
- ^ Tech N9ne – KC Tea, retrieved 2018-01-27
- ^ 2Pac (Ft. Obie Trice) – Hennessey, retrieved 2018-01-27
- ^ Snoop Dogg (Ft. Kokane) – Hennesey N Buddah, retrieved 2018-01-27
- ^ Kodoku – Hennessy, retrieved 2023-08-11
- ^ Trippie Redd – Love Scars, retrieved 2023-08-11
- ^ Sean Paul – We Be Burnin' (Recognize It), retrieved 2023-08-11
- ^ BLACKPINK – 붐바야 (BOOMBAYAH), retrieved 2023-08-11
- ^ Yung Lean (Ft. Bladee) – Hennessy & Sailor Moon, retrieved 2023-08-11
- ^ Digital Underground – The Humpty Dance, retrieved 2023-08-11
- ^ Master P – Pass Me Da Green, retrieved 2019-12-10
- ^ Jenny Lewis – Red Bull & Hennessy, retrieved 2019-04-09
- ^ Beyoncé (Ft. The Weeknd) – 6 Inch, retrieved 2023-08-11
- ^ Jamie Foxx (Ft. T-Pain) – Blame It, retrieved 2023-08-11
- ^ Mayer Hawthorne – Henny & Gingerale, retrieved 2023-08-11
- ^ D-Block Europe – Whistle, retrieved 2023-08-11
- ^ Post Malone – Better Now, retrieved 2023-08-11
- ^ Ramirez, Elva. "Pass The Courvoisier: Cognac Notches Best Year Yet In 2018". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ Drake (Ft. Kyla & Wizkid) – One Dance, retrieved 2017-12-25
- ^ McIntyre, Hugh. "Drake's 'One Dance' Was Officially The Biggest Song On The Planet In 2016". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
- ^ Mobb Deep - Shook Ones, Pt. II (Official HD Video), retrieved 2022-03-23
- ^ "Hennessy cognac heir on why rappers are good people". South China Morning Post. 2019-05-27. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "A Hennessey for Del Paxton". Yarn. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
- ^ On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) - IMDb, retrieved 2022-03-23
- ^ Grady, Constance (2019-08-26). "How the Taylor Swift-Kanye West VMAs scandal became a perfect American morality tale". Vox. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
- ^ Vanessa O'Loughlin, "New Irish Writing" Archived 2020-12-23 at the Wayback Machine, Writing.ie; accessed 8 November 2014.
- ^ "Your chance to join the ranks of our best writers", independent.ie, 24 March 2012.
- ^ "New home for New Irish Writing and the Hennessy Award" Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, Writing4all.ie; accessed 8 November 2014.
- ^ Paul Fischer (2015). A Kim Jong-Il Production: The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnapped Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and a Young Dictator's Rise to Power. Flatiron Books. p. 169.