How to distinguish original Hennessy cognac from a fake. Hennessy (cognac) - history, classification and taste properties

Taste and strength elite cognac Only a few know. If many people recognize it, then it will no longer be cognac.

We all know how popular the elite Hennessy cognac is, but what lies beneath its creation? What are its features and who managed to create such a desired drink of nobles, which is not inferior to any other cognac?

The future since 1765

The ideal taste of Hennessy cognac was developed by the Irish officer Richard Hennessy, who served in the brigade under French king Louis XV. Richard has always been distinguished by special courage and perseverance in military affairs. But who would have thought that it was he who would become the creator of the standard cognac, forcing the French to abandon wine and give their preference to the amber drink.

Richard Hennessy managed to win the favor of the king. He distinguished himself in several important battles, but, fighting bravely in the last battle of Fortenoy, he was seriously wounded. For special services to France, Louis XV gave Richard Hennessy land in the city of Cognac. Here, in a temperate climate on the damp banks of the Charente River, the production of the future elite cognac Hennessy began. This happened in 1765. Richard Hennessy worked on improving the taste of the aristocratic drink for 44 years. During this time, Hennessy cognac managed to be on the table of many aristocrats in England and France.

The 19th century became Hennessy's runway to success. Cognac was supplied to Russian Empire, Japan, India, China. More and more people learned about unique taste Hennessy, and in 1890 Jas Hennessy & Co became the rightful leader in the world market for cognac spirits.

Some interesting facts about the history of Hennessy

In 1818, at the request of the Russian Empress Maria Feodorovna, the Hennessy house prepared a special cognac for Tsar Alexander I. The tsar really liked the gift, and from that time on, French cognac began to be regularly supplied to the Russian Empire.
The emblem on the bottle - a hand holding an ax - symbolizes Richard Hennessy's 12 years of service in the army and, as a result, the acquisition of land on which the history of the best cognac in the whole world began.
In 1832, during the cholera epidemic, Hennessy cognac was quickly sold out, as English doctors insistently recommended drinking it for disinfection.
The international classification of cognac quality was developed by Richard's great-grandson, Maurice Hennessy: the so-called stars, which are now used all over the world.
Great-grandson Maurice also created a special cognac with the designation XO (extra old). This designation also became international over time.
In 1947, the representative of the Hennessy dynasty, Gérald de Geoffrey de Chambrinac, created an elegant signature bottle for Hennessy XO - a decanter with a grapevine.
In building perfect cognac Richard was assisted by Hennessy cellar master Jean Filho. They passed on their production secrets to their descendants. The families of the two dynasties of Hennessy and Filho still preserve the traditions of their ancestors, thanks to which Hennessy remains a popular elite drink.

Hennessy today

At the moment, the Hennessy brand is considered a leader in the cognac business. The company sells about 50 million bottles of the exquisite drink per year, which accounts for approximately 40% of all cognac production in the world.

In 2009, the company released a limited edition bottle of Hennessy VS cognac in honor of Barack Obama. The bottle had gold embossing on black glass with the inscription “In honor of the 44th President.”

In 2010, at the World Competition in San Francisco, the Hennessy cognac house received a silver medal for Hennessy Black cognac. This drink, according to President Hennessy, will appeal more to young people in a diluted form than to strong gentlemen.

Despite the fact that Hennessy cognac is, after all, a classic drink of aristocrats, it has managed to acquire a more youthful and fashionable image. Popular African-American rap stars Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, P. Diddy and Kanye West helped him in this.

In 2015, the company celebrated its 250th anniversary. At the anniversary celebration, the representative of the Hennessy & Co cognac house, Jean-Michel Cochet, uttered wonderful words: “The important thing is not that we are already 250 years old, but that the unique heritage of Hennessy is constantly being maintained and developed.”

Today Jas Hennessy & Co decided not only to supply the amber drink to all countries of the world, but also to give curious connoisseurs the opportunity to see with their own eyes how the best French cognac is made. For this purpose, the Hennessy Museum was created. It is located in the city of Cognac. The tour of the art of cognac begins with a quiet boat ride along the Charente River, and then continues to the inner sanctum of the Hennessy distillery. Here you can learn more not only about the production of the elite drink, but also see a large collection of exclusive bottles and labels.

Hennessy cognac production technology

To produce this elite drink, special Ugni Blanc grapes are used, which are grown in 4 regions of Cognac: Grande Champagne, Petit Champagn, Borderie, Fins Bois. All cognac spirits are regularly tasted with care and love by oenologists and cellar masters. In this way, maturation is controlled. Alcohol can also be “adjusted” to the desired taste by assembling (mixing).

Unfortunately, the Jas Hennessy & Co company keeps secret the detailed technology and features of the preparation of its cognac, but its owners made it clear what exactly Hennessy production is based on: rigor, attention and love.

The process of creating Hennessy cognac is divided into several stages:

distillation. It all begins with her. This process is carried out in special copper distillers;
excerpt. The alcohol is aged in oak barrels: first new ones, and then old ones. Aging in new barrels makes the taste of cognac spicy, while in old barrels it acquires a light hue and a refreshing taste. To make barrels, the Hennessy family uses only wood from the Tronçais forest. The aging period is from 60 years. And the oldest cognac is considered to be a drink whose shelf life is 250 years;
mixing. They do this to create the desired quality.

For over 200 years the main features of Hennessy cognac remain:

use of exceptional cognac spirits;
long-term aging over 60 years;
multi-faceted taste with a rich voluminous texture and various shades;
preservation of special traditional technology Hennessy, which makes the taste of cognac so special.

That is why all connoisseurs of refined luxurious taste and long pleasant aftertaste want to enjoy exquisite cognac of incomparable quality and high reputation, just like 250 years ago.

Hennessy is one of the largest manufacturers elite alcohol. Its product line includes cognac spirits and cognacs of various aging periods, including elite and collectible ones. Many connoisseurs of strong alcohol, when they say “Hennessy”, mean good cognac, and vice versa – anticipating the tasting quality alcohol, think about the drink of the above-mentioned company. It would be reckless to use this legendary drink wrong. After all, by doing this you would deprive yourself of the opportunity to appreciate the versatility of the bouquet and the wonderful aftertaste. If you happen to be the lucky owner of a bottle of Hennessy, it wouldn't hurt to know how best to drink it.

Basic rules of use

The basic rules for tasting cognac also apply to Hennessy.

Cognac is considered a digestif and is usually served after a meal in the company of coffee and a cigar. The rules of etiquette do not provide for other additions, although even connoisseurs of cognac will not mind much if you offer light snacks to go with it, harmoniously emphasizing and highlighting its bouquet.
The aroma of Hennessy will not be able to develop if you taste it chilled. Cognac is served room temperature, but after that they warm it for some time with the palm of their hand, inhaling the gradually opening bouquet.
Wide glasses, slightly tapering at the top, like a flower bud, are suitable for tasting cognac. They can be on a low stem or without it. The latter slightly fall to one side, as they have a rounded bottom; they are popularly called “tumblers.”
Please evaluate before you take a sip. appearance and the aroma of the drink. Slightly rotate the glass and see how long the drops linger on the walls. The longer the drips persist, the more mature the cognac. It wouldn’t hurt to inhale the bouquet first from a distance of about 20 cm, then at the edge of the glass - it will reveal its different facets.
After taking a sip, hold the drink in your mouth for a while, allowing it to slowly flow across your tongue, affecting different taste buds. This is the only way you can fully experience the extraordinary taste of the drink and its long aftertaste.

According to the rules of etiquette, it is not necessary to include snacks with cognac, but if you definitely want to offer something more substantial with this drink than coffee, you should focus on the taste of cognac, so that the snack does not interfere with appreciating its noble bouquet.

What to eat with Hennessy

Despite the fact that the traditions of drinking alcohol reserve a place for cognac as a digestif, it is gradually gaining more space for itself. More and more often it is offered as an aperitif, and some even put it on dinner table. This trend was noticed by the producers of Hennessy, and the chef of the Hennessy-owned Bagnotel castle was commissioned to create snacks for the best varieties cognac produced by the company. As a result, recommendations appeared on how to snack on Hennessy so that the snack would not interfere, and sometimes even help to appreciate the noble taste of the drink.

Hennessy V.S.O.P. It is recommended to eat fish and seafood, but with a sauce, the recipe of which includes this cognac itself. It was also noted that light notes of smoke, clearly heard in the aroma of the named drink, are successfully emphasized by grilled meat, dry-cured meat products and smoked meats.
Hennessy H.O. gets along well with game and poultry in wine sauce. It would be a good idea to offer it with dried fruits, candied fruits, and fresh figs.
Hennessy Paradis Extra requires delicate snacks. Foie gras goes best with it. They'd make a good match for him goat cheese and lightly salted salmon.
Richard Hennessy can be served with desserts such as nuts, candied fruit, ice cream, chocolate, and berry mousse.

If you did not find the Hennessy variety you are going to taste in the list above, you can serve it with:

olives;
liver paste;
seafood;
canapés with lightly salted salmon;
lean veal;
fruit salad with whipped cream;
ice cream;
nuts and dried fruits.

Dilute and mix with other drinks elite varieties cognac is not accepted, but ordinary varieties of Hennessy may well become part of alcoholic cocktails. Most successful recipes offered by the manufacturers themselves.

Cocktail Hennessy Honey

"Hennessy" - 8 ml;
water – 8 ml;
honey – 1 ml;
lemon – 1 slice.

Cooking method:

Boil water, cool to about 60 degrees, pour into a cognac glass.
Add Hennessy and stir.
Add honey and stir the cocktail again with a bar spoon.

All you have to do is garnish the glass with a slice of lemon, and the warming cognac cocktail is ready to drink.

Cocktail Hennessy Winter's Spirit

"Hennessy" - 8 ml;
hot water – 8 ml;
lemon – 4 slices;
ginger – 2 slices;
sugar syrup – 1 ml;
spiral from orange zest- 1 PC.

Cooking method:

To the bottom glass of cognac add lemon and ginger slices.
In a separate container, mix cognac, hot water and syrup.
Pour into a glass with lemon and ginger.
Garnish the glass with an orange twist.

Despite the fact that traditionally lemon is not considered the best couple for cognac, this option winter cocktail proposed by the Hennessy manufacturers themselves.

Cognac and whiskey are the most elite alcoholic drinks. Today we won't talk about whiskey. The House of Hennessy is one of the oldest and most famous houses in the world for the production of cognac products. Hennessy cognac is in great demand. The range of alcoholic products will please any buyer with different financial capabilities.

Hennessy cognac is distinguished in several categories:

Aging period
Taste qualities
Price

Taking these criteria into account, all alcoholic products Companies are divided into classic cognacs and special cognacs. To the “special cognacs” include gift and collection alcohol, the cost of which exceeds 500,000 Russian rubles. Their distribution is limited to several hundred copies.

The cognacs of the classic range remain more affordable for many.

Hennessy XO

The cost of a bottle of fine cognac with a volume of 0.35 and 0.7 liters varies between 5,500 and 9,500, respectively. The company's most popular product is Hennessy XO "X.O" means "extra old", which indicates the age of the drink. The composition includes more than 100 cognac spirits and all of them are 20-30 years old. Hennessy xo with a strength of 40% has a noble amber color.

The aroma of Hennessy XO cognac reveals itself gradually. Oak aroma with fruit and spicy shades. Taste and reveal everything taste qualities You can have Hennessy xo after the first sip. Taste ripe pear in combination with figs, it smoothly gives way to notes of dark chocolate and spices: cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and cardamom.

Gourmets recommend drinking Hennessy XO cognac only in pure form and with ice.

Cognac is often used as a gift. But you should be wary of fakes. Original product At home, Hennessy is bottled only in containers with a volume of 0.35 and 0.7 liters. Carefully examine the cork shell before purchasing. The lid is produced using a special technology - this involves the presence of a holographic inscription “Holosleeve” and laser engraving. A relief image of a hand with a halberd is applied to the front of the bottle.

An equally popular drink from the same house– Hennessy VS. It is aged for at least two years, and the oldest alcohol in this drink is 7 years old. “VS” – Very Special, translated from English it means “very special”. Indeed, Hennessy BC has a special mild taste and pleasant aftertaste. The smell of cognac is noble, restrained. The woody aroma gives way to a pleasant aroma hazelnut with a slight hint of caramel. The color of the drink is rich amber. Recommended for consumption in its pure form, not chilled. You can warm up alcohol with body heat, that is, pour Not a large number of liquid into a glass. The warmth of your hands will enhance the taste.

The original Hennessy vs Cognac has a ribbed pattern grapevine. If there is no excise stamp on the alcohol packaging, this is a sign of a counterfeit product. Pay special attention to the bottom of the bottle! The pattern on it should be symmetrical, not to mention the day itself.

Cognac can be purchased in volumes:

0.05l (273 rubles)
0.2l (950 rubles)
0.35l (1,870 rubles)
0.5l (1,960 rubles)
1.5l (6,500 rubles)
3 liters (12,000 rubles)

There is also gift wrap Hennessy VS. The difference is noticeable on the box and is slightly reflected in the price.

Cognac Hennessy VSOP

Very popular among connoisseurs of luxury taste palette Hennessy uses Hennessy VSOP. The combination consists of more than 55 cognac spirits aged from 6 to 12 years. Hennessy Very Super Old Pale (VSOP) has a light amber hue, with a light and delicate taste, and has a multifaceted palette of flavor shades. With one sip, you can taste sweet vanilla combined with spicy cinnamon and cloves. After, taste buds There is a slight aftertaste - the taste of smoke. It is gradually replaced by a note of ripe grapes with a hint of honey. The combination of fruit and almonds completes the game of flavors.

Hennessy VSOP fans advise not to mix cognac with other drinks. You need to drink Hennessy on a full stomach and without snacking, so you can get maximum pleasure from the drinking process. Like Hennessy VS, VSOP should be drunk by warming the contents of the glass with the warmth of your palms to fully reveal the flavor bouquet.

Hennessy VSOP and Hennessy XO are often counterfeited. To avoid buying low-quality alcohol, you need to know several features of the product itself. Firstly, real products from the Hennessy house do not have falcons or abrasions. The drawings are clear, neat and even. The gilding is not erased with a finger, and a cognac box does not stain your hands. Secondly, genuine Hennessy VSOP contains more air bubbles. To check this, you need to quickly turn the container upside down. Pay attention to drips– they should resemble oil stains. Another indicator of the quality of alcohol is its transparency. Clear fingerprints should be visible through the bottle.

You can purchase Hennessy VSOP in volumes of 0.05; 0.35; 0.5; 0.7; 1 and 3 liters. The cost depends on the displacement and endurance. On average, the price for elite alcohol will range from 2,500 to 27,500 rubles.

One of the expensive varieties Hennessy's cognac products are considered Hennessy Richard. Cognac is named after the founder of the house. The drink contains over 100 cognac spirits. Some of them are produced from the Folle Blanche grape variety, grown and harvested in the 19th century.

Any man will like the taste of this forty-degree drink. The bouquet reveals itself gradually and gives an unforgettable taste experience. It all starts with citrus aromas and smoothly one aroma replaces another. Sweet toffee, the taste of dried apricots, the taste of tart spices are delicately replaced by the smell of expensive cigars. It has delicate taste fruits and berries and a sweet aftertaste of honey and hazelnuts. The drink goes well with dark chocolate, ice cream and fruit. Any cognac that has been aged for more than 5 years is not recommended to be mixed with other drinks.

Cognac Hennessy Richard

Luxurious cognac Hennessy Richard bottled in 0.7 liter bottles and costs from 165,900 rubles to 300,000.

Such expensive cognac is rarely counterfeited, but the rules for choosing alcohol at Hennessy's house remain unchanged. The first thing the eye pays attention to is color. Real Hennessy has rich amber shades, its surrogate is the color of tea with lemon. The bottle cap should not twist. These small features will indicate the quality of the alcohol.

Attention, TODAY only!

Hennessy – everyone knows this word. This is the name of a truly legendary cognac with an extraordinary taste and rich bouquet of aroma.

The Hennessy cognac company was opened in 1765, its founder is Richard Hennessy. The production was located in the Cognac region of France. From year to year, mixing methods and proportions have been increasingly improved different varieties cognac alcohol, as well as the distillation process. At the Hennessy wine house at that time, this was done by professional Jean Filou (his profession was rather called oenologist). Thanks to this man, and his dynasty of seven generations, cognac, known in our time, was born with a surprisingly mild taste and at the same time a rich bouquet.

Hennessy cognac was extremely popular in aristocratic circles in France and England. Soon, sales of the drink gradually spread throughout the world.

In 1865, Maurice Hennessy introduced the labeling that is now used by all cognac producers in the world. These are the legendary stars that indicate the aging period of cognac spirit. In the same year, Hennessy cognac began to be produced in glass bottles, since previously it was customary to bottle this drink in wooden barrels. Classic bottle Hennessy, which is still used today, was shaped like a bunch of grapes.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Hennessy XO brand of cognac (this means extra old) gained great popularity. This is how a drink with long aging and rich taste was designated. This cognac was associated with exclusivity and high society. To this day, Hennessy symbolizes wealth, high status and luxury.

In 1987, Hennessy became part of the Louis Vuitton Moet-Hennessy holding.

Nowadays, Hennessy cognac can be bought in several types. The most common, and therefore the most counterfeited, brands are:

1. VS (this is cognac aged for at least two years, has soft taste with woody and floral notes, the approximate cost of a bottle is about $15, the most inexpensive and best-selling type).

2. VSOP (a drink with a very rich taste, which is achieved by mixing during the production of 60 varieties of cognac alcohol aged from 6 to 12 years, the price of a half-liter bottle is not less than $40).

3. XO (this is the most exquisite variety, for its production they use one hundred varieties of cognac alcohol, aged for at least 20 years, has a deep amber color, as well as a taste with notes of cinnamon, oak, flowers and cocoa, I consider this cognac the perfection of cognac art, its the price is at least 200 dollars per bottle).

Differences between original and fake

In order to avoid falling into the hands of unscrupulous alcohol sellers, you need to know the main features of the original Hennessy cognac.

Only every fourth bottle of Hennessy cognac sold in the world is real drink. This is how you can imagine the impressive scale of the market fake alcohol. But it’s up to you to decide whether to buy a fake or not, because if you are careful, you can easily recognize a low-quality fake.

First of all, pay attention to the shape of the bottle. In the original, it is wider in the XO grade and narrow in the VSOP. The bottle is of very high quality without chips, scratches or cracks. The color of the drink in the original is more rich and pure. The cork is made of very high quality, covered with a special aluminum film. On top of the cork there is always the Hennessy brand logo, as well as the name and degree of aging.

Availability is required excise stamp. It must be glued well and evenly, without traces of glue.

The label must be glued evenly and have no traces of glue on it. The bottom of the bottle should be even in shape, without unnecessary markings. If there is a raised marking of 0.5 or 0.7 on the bottom, you can be sure that you are holding a fake in your hands.

The most commonly counterfeited brands are Hennessy XO and VSOP. Let's look at the main features of these types.

HennessyXO

First of all, Hennessy XO does not come in 0.5 liter bottles. This variety is always gift-wrapped.

The bottle must have clear and neat symbols: branches of grapes and the symbol of the house of Hennessy in the form of a hammer in the hand. In fakes there is usually no house symbol, and the grape branches are blurred and uneven.

At the bottom of the bottle there is always a raised inscription HENNESSY & C COGNAC FRANCE.

HennessyVSOP

There must be clear and even raised VSOP symbols on the front of the bottle and the House of Hennessy mark on the back. The label must be very neat, it has a raised feel to the touch and must include the image of the brand logo.

And, of course, you should refrain from purchasing Hennessy cognac in suspicious shops and kiosks. It is best to make purchases in specialized alcoholic beverage stores. Only there, upon request, will they be able to provide you with a certificate of quality and originality of the drink.

Read also:

1. Capacity. Original Hennessy cognac is bottled only in containers of 0.35 and 0.7 liters.
2. Shell and plug. To understand how to quickly distinguish a fake Hennessy, just look at the cork and shell of the bottle. For the original drink, the production of the shell and cork is carried out in accordance with a special technology, which involves applying a Holosleeve hologram and laser engraving.

A fairly large amount of counterfeit products come from the Hennessy V.S.O.P. series, which is bottled in 0.5-liter containers resembling a flask in shape. Therefore, it is better not to purchase it, but to give preference to a round bottle. In the event that there is no choice on the shelves, let's look at Hennessy xo cognac 0.5 original price and how to determine its manufacturer.

Hennessy X0 0.5 how to distinguish a fake photo

So let's get started:
1. Original cover. The Hennessy cognac house pays a lot of attention to protecting the drink from oxygen penetration into the container. Therefore, if the Hennessy x0 0.5 protection seems insufficient and looks more like a vodka cap, then it is best to refuse to purchase this bottle.

It's no secret that organizing any celebration, first of all, begins with the selection and purchase of alcoholic beverages. In order for guests and guests to be satisfied in the future, you should know how to choose the right “original” alcoholic drinks.

For example, according to the results of a sociological survey, one of the most popular cognacs today is Hennessy. Sales of this drink around the world exceed 3 times its production. Therefore, in order to buy a “good” drink, you should know how to distinguish a fake Hennessy from the original.

How to spot a fake Hennessy

So let's start exploring distinctive features original Hennessy cognac!

1. Capacity. Original Hennessy cognac is bottled only in containers of 0.35 and 0.7 liters.

2. Shell and plug. To understand how to quickly distinguish a fake Hennessy, just look at the cork and shell of the bottle. For the original drink, the production of the shell and cork is carried out in accordance with a special technology, which involves applying a Holosleeve hologram and laser engraving.

So let's get started:

1. Original cover. The Hennessy cognac house pays a lot of attention to protecting the drink from oxygen penetration into the container. Therefore, if the Hennessy x0 0.5 protection seems insufficient and looks more like a vodka cap, then it is best to refuse to purchase this bottle.

2. Laser protection. On the container of the original Hennessy cognac, a special relief image of a hand with a halberd is applied to the upper part of the front side.

By following these simple rules, you can always purchase an original drink and enjoy the true taste of cognac.

Fake Hennessy Cognac

Please note that we sell only original alcohol!

Choose real cognac Hennessy is possible

They say that sales of Hennessy cognac throughout the world exceed its production by 3-4 times. This means that only every 3-4 bottles of Hennessy - original cognac, and the volume of counterfeit reaches 80%.

However, this information has not been confirmed. But, most likely, it is not very far from the truth.

One of the leaders in the number of counterfeits, of course, is Hennessy X.O cognac. To distinguish a fake, you need to pay attention to the following signs:

1. Volume 0.5 l. Hennessy XO cognac in 0.5 l containers. is not produced. The original cognac is bottled only in 0.35 and 0.7 liter bottles;
2. Cork shell. The original cork and shell are made using a special technology (including laser engraving and Holosleeve holograms) and fit very tightly to the glass of the bottle. The shell should not evoke memories of inexpensive domestically produced wines.

A very large number of counterfeits are Hennessy V.S.O.P. The lion's share of counterfeit products comes from cognac bottled in flask-shaped bottles with a volume of 0.5 liters. Therefore, we recommend completely avoiding purchasing Hennessy VSOP in a bottle of this shape and volume. It's better to buy a regular round bottle.

If there are no acceptable alternatives, and purchasing cognac in a flask bottle is inevitable, then you should pay attention to the following features (they are similar to the features for Hennessy X.O.):

1. Cover. It should not resemble ordinary vodka. The Hennessy cognac house pays a lot of attention to the production of corks and their protection, as discussed above.
2. Relief image of a hand with a halberd. It should be present at the top of the front of the bottle.

Hennessy is the most famous and best-selling cognac in the world. It is sold in more than 100 countries, and its annual production turnover reaches about 50 million bottles. The popular brand offers connoisseurs of elite alcohol an impressive range of inexpensive drinks, affordable basic blends and immodestly expensive cognacs with a 100-year aging period. Hennessy is a top-class cognac, a standard of quality, impeccable taste and respectability, having gone through a stellar journey of 250 years.

The history of the legendary drink

By its origin noble drink obliged to the Irishman Richard Hennessey. As a captain in one of the battalions of Louis XV's army, he was wounded in battle and was sent to a hospital for treatment. By the will of fate, he ended up near the city of Cognac, famous at that time for the production of magical brandy, which, according to local residents, could put even a hopelessly ill person back on his feet. The wonderful taste made an indelible impression on Richard, inspiring him to create a similar drink. However, he was unable to immediately put his plans into practice - service awaited the officer. And the birth of Hennessy (cognac) was postponed indefinitely.

In 1765, having earned the rank of retired captain, Richard returned to Cognac and founded a small cognac company. Taking advantage of a temporary shortage of whiskey, he organized deliveries first to the Emerald Isle, and then throughout Britain. Over time, the taste of cognac was also appreciated in France. Having earned the high praise of Louis XV, Hennessey's brainchild reached the shores of the USA, Russia, Australia and China. Soon his fame spread throughout the world and found a response among millions of alcoholic gourmets. In 1813, Richard's son Jacques patented the Jas Hennessy & Co brand, under whose auspices the legendary cognac is produced to this day.

Star classification

Today, the brand that sets the tone for the entire alcohol industry is known throughout the world. The secret of his success lies in special production technologies and the will to win, which are passed down from generation to generation, from father to son.

In 1865, in order to combat cognac, originally sold in barrels, they began to be supplied in bottles for the first time. At the same time, the iconic shape of the bottle was invented, resembling in outline bunch of grapes. At the same time, Maurice Hennessy came up with the legendary star classification of blends, the quantity of which determined the age of cognac spirit. The number of stars indicated the minimum exposure period. Thus, Hennessy Very Special received three stars, and Hennessy VCOP - four.

The versatility of Hennessy

Hennessey is presented on the market in several categories, distinguished by aging time, cost and taste. Basic blends include: the most famous cognac Hennessy XO (reviews confirm this), Hennessy VS, Hennessy VSOP. More expensive ones include Hennessy Paradis and Richard Hennessy. The highest level is occupied by collectible representatives of the brand: Hennessy Timeless, Hennessy Ellipse, Hennessy Private Reserve, the price of which can reach 700-800 thousand rubles.

Hennessey VS (Very Special)

This is the most sought-after cognac in the world with an aging period of more than two years. It is distinguished by a sparkling and soft, velvety taste, rich in floral, oak and nutty shades. The range of sensations is completed by an expressive vanilla aftertaste. The cost of a 0.7 liter bottle is 800-1000 rubles.

Hennessy VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale)

A light amber drink with a multifaceted palette of taste: a wave of vanilla, cinnamon and cloves is followed by a light taste of smoke, which is immediately replaced by honey and grape notes, ending with an avalanche of aftertaste involving almonds and fruits. Cognac is made from 60 types of alcohol, which are aged 6-12 years. The price of the drink is 2-3 thousand rubles (0.5 l).

Hennessy XO (Extra Old)

Cognac in this category can easily be called a masterpiece of the alcohol industry. It is based on a combination of one hundred types of alcohol, each of which is aged for at least 20 years. The drink is distinguished by a deep amber-red color and a perfectly balanced taste, in which there is nothing unnecessary or intrusive - only notes of cinnamon and oak, the strength of which is softened by shades of dried fruits, flowers and cocoa. The avalanche of feelings is completed by a long, spicy aftertaste. Buy cognac 0.5 l. possible for 12-13 thousand rubles.

How to drink

It is customary to drink cognac slowly, leisurely, enjoying every sip, rich palette of taste and pleasant aroma. It is for this reason that the noble drink is served in special containers - snifters (from the English word sniff - to sniff). The snifter has the shape of a wide glass on a short stem, sharply tapering towards the top. The dishes make it possible to fully enjoy the smell of elite alcohol. Hennessy (cognac) is drunk slowly, warming the glass with the warmth of your hand, which reveals the whole bouquet of its luxurious aroma. usually not eaten as a snack, although throughout the history of its existence, the drink has acquired national characteristics consumption. So, the Russian people are used to eating it with lemon or chocolate, while the French have developed the rule of the three “Cs” (Cafe, Cognac, Cigare) - coffee, cognac, cigar.

Hennessy cognac: how to spot a fake

To protect yourself from buying a fake famous drink, you need to know some rules:

Use only original Hennessy cognac. We told you how to spot a fake. And after tasting the taste of true Hennessy, you will become a fan for a long time!