Hennessy

Hennessy is a cognac house and brand that originated in Cognac, France. It was founded in 1724 by Irish-born trader Richard Hennessy and has grown into one of the world's best-known and most widely distributed cognac houses. The company is a major part of LVMH, the luxury goods conglomerate, and operates as a leading producer within its Wines and Spirits division.

The house sources grapes primarily from the Charente region, with a strong emphasis on the crus of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne (often referred to as Fine Champagne for blends). Cognac is produced using copper stills and then aged in oak casks from the Limousin forest. The blending process combines eaux-de-vie of varying ages and origins to create a consistent house style that balances fruitiness, finesse, and spice. Typical profiles feature floral and orchard-fruit notes, layered with vanilla and oak influence as they mature.

Hennessy offers a tiered range of cognacs, with the core categories commonly cited as VS (Very Special), VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale), and XO (Extra Old). Prestige and luxury expressions include Paradis, Richard, and Extra, among others, which are composed of older cognacs and marketed as premium products. The brand emphasizes consistency across global markets while allowing some regional variation in blends.

Globally, Hennessy is among the most widely exported cognacs, with a strong presence in Europe, North America, and Asia. Ownership is held by LVMH, with the Hennessy name carrying decades of marketing and distribution experience that have helped it maintain a leading position in the global spirits industry.