Hennessy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Type | Co-leader of LVMH |
|---|---|
| Genre | French winery |
| Founded | 1765 |
| Founder(s) | Richard Hennessy |
| Headquarters | 1, rue de la Richonne BP 20, 16101 Cognac France |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Industry | Winery |
| Products | Wine (cognac) |
| Website | www.hennessy.com |
Jas Hennessy & Co., or more simply Hennessy, is a prominent Irish-French winery and co-leader of the prestigious luxury goods company, LVMH. Hennessy specializes in the manufacture of cognac. Today, the company of Jas Hennessy & Co. sells about 50 million bottles a year worldwide, or more than 40 percent of the world’s Cognac. It contains 40% alcohol.
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[edit] History
[edit] Beginnings and 19th century
Irish aristocrat Richard Hennessy established an eaux-de-vie trading business in Cognac, France, in 1765.[1] The land on which the business was created was given to Hennessy as compensation for service as a mercenary for King Louis XV.[citation needed] In 1794, the company began its deliveries of Hennessy Cognac to the newly independent United States.[2] Hennessy later introduced Jean Fillioux as its first Master Blender in 1800.[2] In 1813 the trademark "Jas Hennessy & Co." was adopted.[2] Hennessy grew more popular among the aristocracy, and in 1817 George IV ordered a Hennessy V.S.O.P. (an excellent pale cognac eaux-de-vie).[citation needed] By 1840, after the creation of the Hennessy agency in London, export sales made up 90% of profits.[2] The first labels with the name of Jas Hennessy & C° and the 'Bras Armé' were presented in 1856.[2] And in 1864, a bottling plant was opened and the Hennessy trademarks were registered.[2] A system for classifying cognacs was created by Maurice Hennessy in 1865.[2] Not until 1868 did Hennessy expand internationally, delivering that year to Japan Hennessy cognac.[2] The X.O. appellation (which has since become a worldwide reference for cognacs), was created by Maurice Hennessy.[2] Hennessy delivered X.O. to Shanghai, China in 1872. According to its own corporate history, by the end of the 19th century, Jas Hennessy & Co. became the world market leader of eaux-de-vie in 1890.[2]
[edit] Marketing
Recent innovations include trying 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. [3]
In 2009, a limited edition bottle of Hennessy VS was released in honor of the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States of America. The bottle featured a black label with gold lettering. Also, the circle seal towards the base of the neck featured a large 44, the phrase "In Honor of the 44th President" and the date of Mr. Obama's inauguration. A percentage of the proceeds made from the sales of the limited edition bottles will go towards the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is known to have a penchant for Hennessy, reportedly being their number one customer over the past ten years.[4]
[edit] Products
- Hennessy Black is currently in limited release.
- Hennessy White
- Hennessy V.S
- Privilegé V.S.O.P
- Fine de Cognac
- Hennessy X.O
- Deutschland Moet Hennessy
- Pure White
- Private Reserve
- Hennessy Paradis
- Hennessy Diptyque
- Richard Hennessy
- Timeless: (only 2000 bottles produced)
- Ellipse: (only 100 bottles produced)
- Beauté du Siècle (only 100 bottles produced, comes in chest)
[edit] References
- ^ "Jas Hennessy & Co.". Moët-Hennessy • Louis Vuitton. http://www.lvmh.com. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The Hennessy History Timeline". Queen Anne Wine. http://www.queenannewine.com/hencog.html. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
- ^ Hein, Kenneth. "Cognac is in the house." Brandweek. September 22, 2003 [1]
- ^ Blitzer, Wolf. "North Korean leader loves Hennessey, Bond movies", CNN.com, January 8, 2003. Accessed July 9, 2007.
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