Is Hennessy the most popular Cognac in Nigeria?
Hennessy is something you should absolutely know about, assuming you like smooth, rich tipples. Also if you like having the appearance of an incredible swagger. The company which reads “modern” but is in fact 253 years young puts out a solid half of the world’s Cognac. It has Irish roots, and kept two families in business for eight and seven generations, respectively.
Initially an Eaux-de-vie trading business, Hennessy is now the most successful cognac exporter in the world. It operates as part of the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy Group (LVMH).
The quality of the brand and its products called for an identity design process that would be equally sophisticated. From the V.S, V.S.O.P to the X.O and every other brand of Hennessy, there is a unique taste that satisfies the cognac lover, but ever wondered what the Hennessy story is all about?
History Of Hennessy
The story of Hennessy began with one man’s vision. An Irish officer in the service of the King of France, Richard Hennessy foresaw the extraordinary international commercial potential of Cognac’s Eaux-de-vie. In 1765, he set up his own business and founded a House that has since met with unequaled and unwavering success.
That success is the result of a constant quest for excellence in the creation of exceptional cognacs. And it’s coupled with an ambitious business development strategy. At the end of the 18th century, Hennessy began to extend its reach across the globe. It started with the United States. At the beginning of the 19th century, the House set its sights on Australia and Southeast Asia. It later conquered the South American, Japanese, and Chinese markets. In 1860, a quarter of cognac exports bore the name Hennessy name.
In the 20th century, the work begun by the House’s founder was continued. A million cases were shipped in 1967, and the figure had doubled to two million just 20 years later. With over eight million cases sold in 2019, Hennessy is now the world’s leading premium spirits brand. Now, Hennessy is largely enjoyed in Africa, especially Nigeria.
In addition to the fabulous commercial success of a brand presence on every continent and in over 160 countries, Hennessy cognac is an ambassador for French art de Vivre the world over.
The company sells about 50 million bottles a year worldwide, making it the largest cognac producer, supplying more than 40% of the world’s cognac, a variety of brandy.
How Is Hennessy Made?
Like every other cognac, Hennessy is made from grapes grown in the Charante region of France. With its chalky, stony soil and sunny temperate climate, the region is perfect for vine growing. For Hennessy, the cru is made up substantially of Ugni Blanc grapes, which have prevailed as the dominant grape in the Cognac region. Only the eaudevie from the first four crus is used due to its fruity, light white wine ideal for distillation.
The grapes are pressed to get the juice which is left to raise for two or three weeks. This is done using ultramodern turmoil processes, generally in October. The incentive is added to the juice, which helps convert the sugar in the juice into alcohol of about 7 to 8.
The fermented juice is also distilled through a time tested system that uses traditionally shaped Charentais bobby stills, also known as an alembic. Two distillations must be carried out; the performing eaudevie is a colourless spirit of about 70 alcohol. The distillation process is done doubly for the wine to qualify as a cognac – generally, the performing eaudevie is a white “ waterof life” spirit with 70 alcohol. Once the distillation is done, the wine is also stored in pipes made from the near Limousin or Tronçais timber.
The wood is perfect for geriatric cognacs due to their low resin content. As the cognac interacts with the rundlet and air, it loses both alcohol and water more alcohol than water similar to that it reduces to 40. The Cognac is also transferred to glass carboys called bonbonnes for storehouse before it’s blended. Throughout the geriatric period, the pipes are tried regularly by lowering a glass vial called a “ prouvette” into an opening on the rundlet, according to a plan laid out by the Master Blender.
The geriatric process occasionally lasts for centuries. The blending of the cognac, or marriage, as it’s else called is necessary to achieve the unique taste peculiar to Hennessy. The Master Blender oversees the blending process to ensure that the mark of quality. And taste remains harmonious and true to the Hennessy standard. The age of the cognac is calculated as that of the youthful element used in the mix.
The mix is generally of different periods and from different original areas. Once the amalgamated cognac is ready, it’s also bottled and your Hennessy cognac is ready. Hennessy was one of the first spirits brands to deliver its immolations in bottles.
Awards Won By Hennessy
Hennessy has received numerous regional, national, and international awards, plus eleven honorary doctorates. His computing architecture awards include Fellows of IEEE (1991), American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1995), ACM (1997), and the UK Royal Academy of Engineering (2017).
He received the Seymour Cray Computer Engineering award in 2001. And he was honored with IEEE’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor, in 2012, “for pioneering the RISC processor architecture and for leadership in computer engineering and higher education.”
Hennessy and Patterson have won a number of joint awards, including the John von Neumann Medal (IEEE, 2000), the Eckert-Mauchly ACM/IEEE award in 2001; Fellows for the Computer History Museum in 2007, and the ACM Turing Award in 2017.
Hennessy Cognac Range
Recently, Hennessy has tried to broaden the appeal of the drink beyond its traditional base of older drinkers by introducing new products such as “Pure White”, “Hennessy Black” and “Fine de Cognac” and marketing them accordingly.
Meanwhile, Hennessy cognac comes in the following products according to the aging and blending processes;
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Hennessy V.S
Hennessy Very Special (V.S) is one of the most popular cognacs in the world. Matured in new oak barrels, Hennessy V.S is bold and fragrant. Its beguiling character is uniquely Hennessy, a timeless choice with an intensity all its own. Hennessy V.S offers toasted and fruit notes, with a rich, clearly defined palate and a welcoming exuberance.
Hennessy V.S expresses its vibrant and dynamic personality through unique artist partnerships and annual limited editions. Easy to enjoy, it’s a perfect cognac for high-energy occasions and sharing the moment.
The round and robust flavors of Hennessy V.S make it very versatile and ideal for any cocktail possibility, from classic recipes and sophisticated cocktail creations to easy mixed drinks.
Buy Hennessy V.S here
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Privilége V.S.O.P
Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège is a well balanced cognac, the expression of 200 years of Hennessy craft. The fruit of nature’s uncertainties, this unique blend has tamed the elements to embody the original concept of cognac. Each sip reveals new facets of its personality.
The savoir-faire of the Maison of Hennessy is fully expressed in this balanced cognac: the selection of Eaux-de-vie, aging, and assemblage. A cognac of remarkable consistency and vitality, Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège conveys all of the savoir-faire of the Hennessy master blenders who have ensured the continued success of this harmonious assemblage for 200 years.
Buy Hennessy V.S.O.P here
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Hennessy X.O
In 1870, Maurice Hennessy created Hennessy X.O for his circle of friends and introduced a new style of cognac. Hennessy X.O is the Original, the emblematic icon of the Hennessy Maison.
Deep and powerful, the Eaux-de-vie of this Hennessy X.O cognac is aged in young barrels and marked out by their power and energy, but also by their capacity to achieve a great roundness through time.
Buy Hennessy XO here
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Hennessy X.X.O
The cognac Hennessy X.X.O was first created in 1870 alongside Hennessy X.O when Master Blender Emile Fillioux set aside Eaux-de-vie with great potential. The result was such a significant find that it was launched around the world, starting in 1871. With the savoir-faire inherited by his family, Yann Fillioux, the 7th generation of Master Blender, decided to re-create the Hennessy X.X.O in 2018.
Hennessy X.X.O opens a new era within the world of spirits, an edge bridging duality: a powerful structure meets an aerial fineness. Its visionary taste assembles opposite forces into one composition. By tasting a glass of Hennessy X.X.O cognac, you will enter an aerial structure that opens you to a new perspective of tastes.
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Hennessy Paradis
Created by Maurice Fillioux in 1979, the cognac Hennessy Paradis is known for its voluptuous and harmonious aroma. It consists of Eaux-de-vie, which are a reflection of the personality of such a delightful cognac: supple, light, and round.
They are blended into an excellent cognac. This is defined by its graceful, silky character, highlighting its finely nuanced and harmoniously balanced aromatic qualities. Its superb display of coppery gold colours is an indication of the many years it has spent ageing in old casks.
So back to the initial question, is Hennessy the most popular Cognac in Nigeria? Arguably yes. Hennessy is actually very popular among Nigerians, especially celebrities and high-class people.
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