Which hennessy cognac is best

Also if you like having the appearance of incredible swagger. It has Irish roots, and kept two families in business for eight and seven generations, respectively. To put that in perspective, my father once asked me to take over the family business and instead I took an improv class. In honor of any family who can do eight generations of anything, here are a few facts about Hennessy worth knowing.

Hennessy is Cognac , which is brandy made in Cognac, France. But the brand was created by an Irishman. Richard Hennessy was born to an aristocratic family in County Cork in It all begins with sustainably grown Ugni White grapes that are mechanically harvested at their peak for Hennessy. The grapes are then pressed and the juice fermented into wine. Using the traditional Charentais copper alembic stills for which Cognac is famous, the wine becomes eau-de-vie through a double distillation process.

The clear spirit only becomes cognac after aging in wood casks French Limousin oak is common and blending. Hennessy has , barrels in production at any time, utilizing a network of 65 cellars or chais. The cognac is rotated in barrels as it ages, and the barrels are placed in particular cellars depending on the desired characteristics. For instance, a humid cellar will produce mellower flavors, while a drier cellar results in more flavor.

Daily tastings occur to test the various eau-de-vie throughout their maturation. It is up to Hennessy's master blender to bring 30 or more of these together to produce what is bottled as Hennessy Cognac and to do so for each expression while maintaining consistency from one batch to the next. After blending, the cognac may be rested again for a certain period of time before bottling.

The majority of Hennessy Cognac including the core expressions is bottle at 40 percent alcohol by volume ABV, 40 proof. Each of Hennessy's cognacs has a slightly different taste determined by the eau-de-vie blend that goes into them. Overall, they have a classic brandy taste, with a sweet fruitiness similar to burnt wine mellowed by a pleasant oakiness. You'll find floral and fruit particularly citrus notes in these cognacs, and hints of spice, vanilla, and chocolate are common.

Hennessy uses the classic cognac grading system for its main portfolio. These are used to indicate the cognac's age or the youngest cognac in the blend : V. S "very special," minimum of 2 years , V.

P "very superior old pale," minimum of 4 years , and X. O "extra old," minimum of 10 years. There are also several special and limited edition expressions of Hennessy available.

All Hennessy Cognac is enjoyable straight. You can really appreciate the spirit's subtle nuances by pouring it into a brandy snifter , which captures the delicate aroma and enhances the experience.

A rocks glass works as well and is a good choice if you want to enjoy the cognac on the rocks. The name cognac conjures up images of brown leather and crystal tumblers, exuding old world luxury. And yet, it's precisely that je ne sais quoi that keeps many of us from making it our nightcap of choice; the sense that we don't know enough to truly appreciate the experience.

But as cognac has started to break into the mainstream cocktail scene , it's becoming more accessible to drinkers of all stripes, which makes now the perfect time to study up. Here's a rundown on the most elegant bottles to add to your bar cart. Hennessy is the number one selling cognac in the states, and while you certainly can't go wrong with their classic bottle, this adaptation of the classic has a lighter, fresher flavor.

Blended from 35 to 45 eaux-de-vie and aged in French oak casks, it has a floral nose and hints of citrus on the palate that are perfect for those dipping their toes into the cognac world. More: Cognac vs. Brandy- What's the Difference? The earthy palate of this antique cognac are complimented by vanilla, green fruits, and spices.