In 2024, Richard Hennessy’s legacy is honored in an architectural Masterpiece crafted in an extremely limited edition.
Hennessy is pleased to honor the 300th anniversary of its founder’s birth with an exceptional limited- edition tribute. One of the rarest of the Éditions Rares cognacs, the Richard Hennessy blend is presented in an inspired, generous format. A tribute to a visionary man and the House’s eight-generation legacy of savoir-faire, this Richard Hennessy collector’s edition takes the form of a 1.75-liter magnum. For the occasion, its splendid crystal decanter is suspended as if levitated within a graphic metal frame designed in concert with the world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind. Inside its coffret, two Richard Hennessy glasses in Baccarat crystal are accompanied by service ritual accessories to further elevate the tasting experience.
An Irish aristocrat becomes an architect of eternity
Maison Hennessy’s remarkable saga is rooted in humble beginnings. In 1765, Richard Hennessy — an Irish-born conscript in the army of French King Louis XV — resolved to take his future in hand and forge his own destiny.
To provide for his young family, Richard Hennessy apprenticed to a merchant. Immediately grasping the potential of the nascent eaux-de-vie trade, he resolved to become a maker of outstanding, uncompromising cognacs. Once settled on the quay of the Charente river in Cognac, Hennessy’s reputation flourished. The Maison’s reserves of eaux- de-vie swelled, and its cognacs could be found in the royal courts of Europe and beyond.
Two founding principles — a quest for excellence, in selecting only those eaux-de-vie with outstanding aging potential; and passing down the secrets of cognac craftsmanship to the next generation, supported by the same family of Master Blenders since 1806, the Fillioux — would become Richard’s enduring legacy.
More than 250 years and eight generations later, the bond between the Hennessy and Fillioux families remains as strong as ever, a unique heritage in the world of luxury spirits. The celebrated maker of some of the world’s finest cognacs, the House that bears Richard Hennessy’s name still resides at its original address — a thriving testament to its founder’s vision.
A rare blend born of time-honored savoir-faire
Today, Richard Hennessy’s name lives on as one of the Maison’s most exclusive blends. A cognac for true connoisseurs, it is composed using some of the scarcest eaux-de-vie in the Founder’s Cellar at Hennessy’s historic estate, resulting in an outstanding, intense and rich cognac.
On the palate, Richard Hennessy takes the senses by surprise, revealing powerful, spicy flavors and incomparable aromatic notes of leather and candied fruit. These complex qualities, together with its persistent finish, evoke the adventure of a young soldier who grew into a visionary entrepreneur.
Uniquely complex and rare, Richard Hennessy cognac represents the quintessence of the Master Blender’s savoir-faire. It is produced annually in an extremely limited quantity of just 12 tierçons, a historic type of barrel hand-crafted from French oak by master craftsmen at the Hennessy cooperage.
A meeting of visionnaries: The Richard Hennessy Limited Edition Magnum
Designed to honor the founder’s achievements and his passion for new horizons, the Richard Hennessy anniversary magnum is at once striking, intuitive and unexpected.
Characterized by sharp angles, fragmented proportions and organic curves, this unapologetically bold, graceful master- piece is informed by Daniel Libeskind’s design for the classic Richard Hennessy carafe.
“The inspiration for the decanter came from the powerful emblem of Richard Hennessy himself,” says Daniel Libeskind. “I wanted to honor history while also elevating it and pushing the boundaries of design.”
Through graceful curves and the power of geometry, the Richard Hennessy carafe is enhanced and transformed into an original dialogue between the object and the cognac inside. Crafted to the highest standards of French savoir-faire, this spectacular decanter features a historic portrait of Richard Hennessy, reinterpreted by the French calligraphy artist Nicolas Ouchenir and hand-engraved on Baccarat crystal by master artisans. The magnum is then mounted in a monumental mirror-finish inox frame, a feat achieved through a delicate manual assembly process at Hennessy’s Atelier des Éditions Rares in Cognac.
A multi-layered work of art in its own right, the Richard Hennessy magnum offers the observer a powerful visual metaphor. Past, present and future come together in a delicate blend of ancient eaux-de-vie further elevated by modern architectural daring, like so many moments suspended in time. Cast into relief by amber-hued cognac, a modern representation of the founder’s likeness shows him gazing toward the horizon while his name, hand- engraved in cursive lines, reminds us that the future remains ours to write. A hand-calligraphed certificate of authenticity accompanies this rare masterpiece, which may be replenished upon request via Hennessy “Ressource,” a dedicated high-end experience.
The Richard Hennessy anniversary Magnum will be available through private sales and at Houses of Hennessy worldwide from May. Price upon request.
For more information, please contact: CONSTANCE PODDEVIN
Richard Hennessy & Uber Luxury Senior Brand Manager cpoddevin@moethennessy.com
