For 260 years, Maison Hennessy has embodied artisanal excellence in the world of cognac. Based in Cognac, in the Charente region of France, this House perpetuates trades and techniques to preserve the know-how of its industry.
Recently awarded the ” Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant ” label, Hennessy opens its doors to visitors to showcase these exceptional trades through tours and guided experiences offered throughout the year. Five of the House’s key skills have been highlighted by this award: double-distillation, ageing and blending, cooperage, bottling and product packaging. Discover them all with the Hennessy Visits!
Article produced in collaboration with Visites Hennessy
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Double-distillation : where it all begins
Creating a cognac is a long and painstaking process that meets very precise specifications. The first stage is double distillation in Charentais stills, a process that has remained unchanged for centuries. Between October and March, the distilleries operate night and day, overseen by craftsmen who carefully watch over this process that transforms wine into brandy.
Why double distillation ?
The first distillation extracts a raw spirit known as ” brouillis “. The second distillation creates a much higher alcohol content, from which only the intermediate part, called ” cœur de bonne chauffe ” is retained, a colourless eau-de-vie with complex aromas.
Discover the distillery
With the Hennessy Destination Distillery experience, go behind the scenes at the working Groie distillery and meet the craftsmen who work on the Charente stills. The experience continues in the prestigious Chai Paradis, where some of the House’s oldest eaux-de-vie are kept.
2-hour tour for small groups
€150 per person
Please note: this tour can only be taken during the distillery’s operating period, from November to March.
Aging and blending : the alchemy of cognac
At the heart of the expertise involved in creating cognacs lies the mastery of ageing and blending.
The cellars of the House of Hennessy, where several hundred thousand casks sleep, are maintained by craftsmen who watch over humidity, temperature and evaporation, a phenomenon known as ” part of the angels “. They also monitor the eaux-de-vie, controlling their development and intervening where necessary to optimise their maturation.
The Master Blender, an emblematic figure currently embodied by Renaud Fillioux de Gironde (himself the 8th generation of a single family of Master Blenders for the House), is the guarantor of the style and continuity of Hennessy blends. His role consists of selecting the best eaux-de-vie and composing harmonious blends that perpetuate the identity of the House.
Thousands of eaux-de-vie age slowly in oak barrels, preserved in cellars. A visit to one of the Hennessy cellars, a veritable temple of cognac, is an experience in its own right.
Discover the process of creating cognac
If you’re new to the world of cognac then the ” Immersive Initiation ” tour is for you !
In 2 hours, you’ll embark on a short crossing of the Charente to reach the Hennessy cellars. In the Pavillons cellar, you’ll discover the history of Hennessy as well as the cognac-making process thanks to a multi-sensory scenography and a virtual reality installation, as innovative as it is poetic, MOBILIS. Finally, you can explore a cellar where some of the House’s eaux-de-vie are aged before finishing with a tasting of two Hennessy cognacs, V.S and V.S.O.P.
2h tour
€29 per person, €15 for 12-17 year olds, free for under 12s.
The cooperage : the guardians of oak barrels
Ageing is an essential stage in the development of cognac, and coasters play a crucial role. These craftsmen work with precision and rigour to make and maintain the French oak casks that will house the eaux-de-vie. The choice of wood, bending, assembly and bousinage (toasting the wood) have a direct influence on the aromatic complexity of the cognac. At Hennessy, this ancestral know-how guarantees optimal maturation and the characteristic signature of the House’s cognacs.
Meet the Hennessy coopers
In the impressive Hennessy cooperage workshop in the centre of Cognac, the artisan coopers produce 400 to 500 new barrels each year entirely by hand, in addition to repairing old barrels ! Yet the technique for creating a barrel remains artisanal, and seeing a barrel come to life is a memorable experience. With the Hennessy Destination Cooperage experience, you’ll be able to smell the wood, try your hand at reproducing certain gestures and chat with artisan coopers.
2-hour tour in a small group
€150 per person
Product packaging : the art of flaconnage
For its limited editions and exceptional cognacs, Hennessy works with renowned glassblowers and designers. These craftsmen design unique decanters, often handmade in France’s finest crystal works. Every detail, from the stopper to the engraving, reflects a concern for refinement and a quest for excellence.
In the ” Atelier des Éditions Rares ” Hennessy, a number of craftsmen come to sublimate these decanters with expertise such as leather stitching, calligraphy or silk thread laying.
Learn how to personalise your own decanter
Join a masterclass to learn how to personalise your own 5cl decanter of Hennessy Paradis, one of the House’s most prestigious cognacs. You’ll discover how to lay the silk thread, an original and authentic experience from which you’ll leave with a lovely souvenir. The experience ends with a tasting session.
1.5 hour workshop
€200 per person
Article produced in collaboration with Visites Hennessy
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, drink in moderation
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