The French cognac house celebrates its 250th anniversary with the release of Hennessy 250 Collector Blend. At the price of $600 a bottle, the release of the blend is an ode to the Hennessy’s quarter millennium existence. As Kathy Chan, Hennessy’s ambassador in the U.S. said, “The highlight is not the bottle; it’s what’s inside it”. Master blender Yann Fillioux, who is the seventh generation in his family to have the job, is responsible for making a cognac that’s rich and expressive on the nose.
He spent four years crafting the celebratory drink, used eaux-de-vie ranging in age from 15 to 35 years, and aged it for five years in specially crafted barrels. The blend was stored in French oak casks in a mild, humid climate in Hennessy’s sprawling cellars. The aromatic tones range from bitter orange and freshly grated nutmeg, to licorice, dried peppermint leaf, and saffron.
Although one might usually drink cognac with ice, Chan says the best way to experience the flavor of this special version is to sip it neat and at room temperature. Each limited edition of Hennessy 250 Collector Blend retails for $600 and comes in a gift box with a copper metallic surface.