Distiller Notes
Created in 1870 by Maurice Hennessy, Hennessy XO was originally reserved for the private use of the Hennessy family and their closest friends. XO stands for “extra old” referring to the eaux-de-vie that have been carefully selected and aged, resulting in a cognac that is powerful, rich and undeniably rare.
Intense and deep amber color with a velvety texture. The first wave, is rich in dried fruit aromas then evolving to a denser note of chocolate and black pepper. Generous scents of crystallized fruit, oak, and spices, fall into place very distinctly A harmony of candied fruit and light spice notes. A smooth, full sensation gives a simultaneously powerful and soft tonality with a hint of cocoa. A warm fruity presence and tremendous length on the palate.
The collaboration and shared passion of Two Families – Hennessy and Fillioux (pronounced "Fee-You") – is at the heart of Hennessy’s unique legacy. The Hennessy and Fillioux families passed down a tradition of excellence in cognac making that ensures the consistent quality, craftsmanship and savoir-faire of Hennessy.
Cognac is both a product and a place. Like champagne, cognac the product, takes its name from its place of birth – Cognac, France. Cognac is a spirit distilled from grapes that come from the designated cognac growing area and must adhere to extremely stringent rules of production.
It’s important to emphasize the three pillars of craftsmanship: Selection, Maturation and Blending. At Hennessy, the Master Blender and Tasting Committee members gather each day to sample eaux-de-vie. They taste, evaluate and select up to 40-50 eaux-de-vie from the four best crus in the region. They taste 10,000 samples per year!
Widely regarded as the finest and most complex grape-based spirit in the world, Cognac follows rigorously strict production guidelines. It is made exclusively of wine—most commonly from Ugni Blanc—from the Charente and Charente-Maritime regions surrounding the town of Cognac in southwestern France. After a second distillation in antique copper pot stills (called charentais), the spirit is transferred to French oak barrels and aged a minimum of two years (VS). Cognac is classified by both age and region (Cru). The Grande Champagne Cru and Petite Champagne Cru, both having shallow limestone soils, are the most respected.