Hennessy has grown to become one of the biggest names in Cognac, and the largest producer of the French spirit. The story began when Richard Hennessy set out from Killavullen, County Cork, to France in 1724 to serve as part of the French Army under Louis XV. After many years in the French Army, Richard Hennessy settled in the Cognac region, and eventually founded his own distillery in 1765.
In 1971, Hennessy merged with Moët et Chandon, creating the Moët-Hennessy group. A second merger in 1987 with Louis Vuitton bore today’s luxury super-brand – Louis Vuitton-Moët-Hennessy. Hennessy cognac is now a symbol of luxury.
Maison Hennessy stands on the banks of the Charente river in France, with arm and hatchet standing as its coat of arms, referring to Richard Hennessy’s history with the French Army. To make their Cognac, they select eaux-de-vie from only four of the region’s crus - Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies and Fins Bois. Over 300,000 casks rest in their cellars, andd hold some of the oldest Cognac around, stretching as far back as 1800.
