Hennessy Very Special Cognac, - 40% - 70cl - £30 at Amazon

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It is little surprise that Hennessy Very Special is the world’s most popular cognac; The intense and fruity flavours of V.S make it a versatile cognac to enjoy neat, on ice or as a mixer.

ON THE EYES: Demanding in its creation, yet immediately satisfying to taste

ON THE PALATE: Full bodied and packed with lively citrus, apple and fresh grape flavours, with additional notes of vanilla and grilled almonds

ON THE NOSE: On the nose, Hennessy Very Special brings together an intense and fruity character with pleasantly oaky notes

Only the most distinctive eaux-de-vie are selected, matured and blended to create Hennessy Very Special cognac. Savour its lively, fruity character neat, on ice or with a mixer. 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.

Hennessy, the precious alchemy of Cognac. Exceptional things require time, but simply to wait is not enough. Down through the years since 1765, Hennessy has been associated with excellence and mystery. Behind its closely guarded doors, the Hennessy Comite de Degustation (Tasting Committee) - unparalleled in the world of cognac - creates some of the most unique and elegant blends, thanks to its priceless heritage: the largest and most diverse reserve of eaux-de-vie in the world.

This delicate alchemy and unique knowledge gives birth to some of the most extraordinary cognacs. This Savoir-Faire, passed down across 250 years, rests on three pillars, each elevated to the level of an art form: the selection of the eaux-de-vie; their maturation; and their blending. It is for these reasons that, for 250 years, Hennessy has been able to preserve and perpetuate its expertise, and to establish a unique style with such a variety of expressions. A perfect gift.

Exceptional things require time, but simply to wait is not enough. Down through the years since 1765, Hennessy has been associated with excellence and mystery. Behind its closely guarded doors, the Hennessy Comité de Dégustation (Tasting Committee) – unparalleled in the world of cognac – creates some of the most unique and elegant blends, thanks to its priceless heritage: the largest and most diverse reserve of eaux-de-vie in the world.

LEGACY

Cognac, 1765. Irishman, Richard Hennessy founded a trading house that his descendants have continued to shape, over eight generations. In 1800, the Fillioux family began expertly crafting the Cognacs for the Hennessys, sealing a bond that remains strong to this day. In 1817, The Prince of Wales, later King George IV of Great Britain, a great cognac connoisseur asks Hennessy to create a "very superior old pale" cognac.

FROM GRAPE TO BOTTLE

The process of making cognac is long and sophisticated. Harvest - Once a year, perfectly mature grapes must be harvested quickly and with precision. Distillation - Double distillation is required to make eaux-de-vie for cognac. Maturation - Eaux-de-vie and wood age together for years, exchanging flavors and colors. Selection - For two centuries now, the Tasting Committee has met every day at 11am. Blending - Every year, the Hennessy Tasting Committee reviews around 10,000 eaux-de-vie. Each eau-de-vie is meticulously tasted, then selected or rejected if it doesn’t meet the strict quality standards set by the committee. Bottling - High-speed bottling lines, storage, sophisticated traceability systems, and logistics are all on site, delivering 240,000 bottles per day to 160 countries.

THE TASTING COMMITTEE

Every morning at 11am, the Tasting Committee convenes in the Grand Bureau in Cognac for an immutable ritual: the tasting of 50 samples of eaux-de-vie. It takes a full decade to the train the nose and palate of a Tasting Committee member. The team shares a common organoleptic language. Everyone must take the time to learn it.

COGNAC CAN BE CRAFTED ONLY IN COGNAC

A spirit which bears the Cognac Protected Appellation of origin (PDO) has to comply with regulated specifications, its grapes must be grown in Cognac, and the wine made from them produced here, defined by strict borders encircling the Charente River. You can taste the difference.

TRANSFORMING WINE INTO EAU-DE-VIE

Between October and the 31st of March, at the latest, the distilleries are busy day and night. Passionate artisans fill, monitor, and cosset the traditional Charentais copper stills. This process of transforming wine into eau-de-vie harnesses the liquid’s volatile compounds. A long, delicate distillation preserves the soul of the wine.

NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE

Double distillation is required to make eaux-de-vie for cognac. In the first, a raw spirit called “brouillis” is produced. The second distillation produces a much higher alcohol content. Only the middle part, the ‘heart’, is saved. This clear, colorless liquid is called eau-de-vie.

12 kg - 9 Litres - 1 Litre

It takes approximately 12kg of grapes to obtain 1 litre of eau-de-vie. Pressing the grapes produces 9 litres of wine. Distilled once, this results in 3 litres of brouillis. Distilled a second time, it generates one litre of pure eau-de-vie.

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