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The Maison · Cognac, France

A house built on time

The town of Cognac at dusk: stone houses and a church spire reflected in the still Charente river

1765

An Irish officer in Cognac

Richard Hennessy settles on the banks of the Charente and begins shipping eaux-de-vie to Ireland and England.

Cellar workers rolling casks through a vaulted stone chai

1806

A line of blenders

James Hennessy chooses Jean Fillioux as Master Blender, the start of a family line now in its eighth generation.

An old, gnarled vine heavy with grapes

1817

A royal request

The Prince Regent, the future King George IV, asks for a 'Very Superior Old Pale': the first V.S.O.P.

A bottle of V.S.O.P on a bar, toned like an old print

1865

Written in stars

Maurice Hennessy grades the Maison's cognacs with stars, a system the whole region used until the 1960s.

Three bottles of Hennessy in raking light, toned like an old print

1870

The first Extra Old

Maurice Hennessy creates X.O for his family and friends, blended by Master Blender Émile Fillioux.

Hennessy X.O in its case, toned like an old print

2026

Still blending

The tasting committee still meets every weekday at eleven, sampling dozens of eaux-de-vie before noon.

Copper still hoods against a dark ceiling
Autumn trees and the old town of Cognac along the Charente, morning mist over the water
Cognac, France. Since 1765.
00Maison Hennessy · 1765