Water of life

Cognac is a brandy also referred to as Eau de Vie or water of life. It is produced by twice-distilling wine made from grapes grown in any of the designated growing regions of Cognac, France. Interestingly, Hennessy represents 29.5% of the premium spirit category in Ireland today

Pioneering spirit

Founded on Richard Hennessy’s pioneering spirit and with a legacy of over 250 years, the brand spans over 160 countries, but remains rooted in the Charente region in France. Beyond its iconic cognacs, Hennessy embraces cultural collaborations, evidenced through its many partnerships with visionary artists from around the world. Over the years, Hennessy has worked with cultural icons in design, art, fashion and music to celebrate a diverse range of creativity to reflect the multi-faceted nature of the brand and to bring to life the Hennessy cognac’s versatility.

For further information, serves and collaboration details, please visit Hennessy.com or follow @Hennessy on Instagram.

Happy birthday to Richard Hennessy!

In celebration of the launch of the Honorary Founder’s Edition bottle to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of its Irish founder, Richard Hennessy, the brand hosted a party in Dublin to toast the occasion and honour Irish art, music, culture, and the rich Irish legacy that Hennessy holds close to its heart. This event was hosted by DJ and presenter, Tara Kumar who interviewed Conor Harrington and Maser, exploring their creative process and the magnitude of this pivotal point in the Hennessy Ireland story. Guests enjoyed expertly crafted Hennessy cocktails paired with gourmet food while Ireland’s top DJs provided the tunes to exciting experiential and immersive offerings.
Irish artists Maser and Conor Harrington were selected to create its historic Founder’s Edition bottle. It is the perfect blend of then and now. Both artists’ work resonates perfectly with the Hennessy VS brand character: vibrant, artistic and street! A symbol of Irish pride and achievement, the original artwork will hold pride of place upon the walls of Killavullen, the Cork home of Richard Hennessy.
Supporting avant-garde art has been a long-standing tradition and today the brand continues that legacy with collaborations in contemporary street culture including with the premier basketball league, the NBA, innovative fashion designer, Kim Jones, hip-hop legend, Nas and many more. Closer to home Hennessy’s collaborations with Ireland’s creatives includes partnerships across street fashion, art and music with the likes of Emporium, Dublin Block Party, the Future of Irish Music & Irelands rap duo Travis & Elzzz.

All about Hennnessy

 

Elaine Cullen, Moët Hennessy brand director speaks to Drinks Industry Ireland talks about cognac as a category and how Hennessy represents 91% of the cognac market in Ireland

Can you tell us about Hennessy’s positioning in the Irish cognac market?

Hennessy is positioned as a premium brown spirit and leader of the cognac category in Ireland and globally. A French brand, deeply rooted in Irish heritage, a blend of savoir faire and reference for contemporary culture.

What is the current size of the Irish cognac market, and how has it evolved over the last five years?

Over the past five years cognac as a category has stagnated at a total level. Hennessy represents 91% of the cognac category.

How does the Irish cognac market compare to other premium spirits markets, such as vodka or Irish whiskey?

Based on IWSR 2023 data the premium spirit segment (€34 – €45) in Ireland is 375,000 9L cases which 112,000 9L cases are premium brandy and of which 105,000 9L cases are Cognac. Hennessy represents 29.5% of the premium spirit category. Growth over the past five years in this segment is led by Irish whiskey with gin, rum & American whiskey share of the segment in decline.

What are the key consumer trends driving demand for cognac in Ireland?

Mixability and cultural engagement. Through experiential collaborations such as fashion with Emporium streetwear and lifestyle brand and music with District Magazine and the future of Irish Music, Travis & Elzzz and previously with Body & Soul and Hensteeth. Over the past number of years, we have also created many advocates within the bar trade, to understand better the liquid, taste profile and cocktail legacy. This coupled with consumer connection has led to greater bartender collaboration, exploration and in turn Hennessy being consumed in a more regular social occasion.

Are Irish consumers primarily purchasing cognac for special occasions, or is it becoming more of an everyday drink?
Hennessy is synonymous in Ireland with toasting celebratory gatherings with family and friends however today it is consumed more regularly in bars and clubs. Hennessy is a progressive brand always pushing boundaries, partnering with cultural icons and most recently launching the Made for More global campaign on ways to discover how any drink or the occasions that can made more with Hennessy Very Special. Elevating our association with classical cocktails in a light, bright and fresh way but also revealing the exceptional versatility of Hennessy VS to enhance any occasion.

How is the increasing popularity of craft spirits affecting the cognac market in Ireland?
Craft spirits including Irish gin and whiskey are driving growth at the super-premium plus (€45 – €255) this segment has doubled over the past five years. Cognac has never had significant share of this segment however the shift in consumer indulgence and awareness of such brands presents great opportunity.

A passionate commitment to excellence

Since 1724, the House of Rémy Martin has produced exceptional spirits that consistently appeal to the world’s most discerning connoisseurs. A profound love of the land, a continuity of family ownership and a passionate commitment to excellence have sustained Rémy Martin for nearly three centuries. As a result of its masterful production and generations of tradition in Cognac, today, Rémy Martin produces Cognacs Fine Champagne, including Rémy Martin XO, Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal and Rémy Martin V.S.O.P.
Rémy Martin VSOP is composed of eaux-de-vie coming exclusively from the highest-quality vineyards of Cognac, the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne. Such eaux-de-vie offer an exceptional ageing potential and are known as Cognac Fine Champagne.
In 1927, Rémy Martin’s Cellar Master André Renaud created the very first VSOP Fine Champagne—a truly visionary and audacious decision. This prestigious appellation would be officially recognized 11 years later as an AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée – a specific growing area protected by French law).
Accounting for one in three bottles of VSOP consumed worldwide, Remy Martin is the benchmark for the VSOP category and is blended from spirits aged from 4 to 12 years. This latest version finishes the cognac in old barrels for a year before bottling. Rémy Martin VSOP embodies the perfect harmony of powerful and elegant aromas. It is the symbol of the Cellar Master’s art of blending. Rémy Martin VSOP is extremely versatile, so you may enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails. We recommend drinking Rémy Martin VSOP with ginger ale or as Remy Grand Tonic made by mixing Remy Martin VSOP over ice, topped with tonic and finished with a wedge of fresh lemon. Proudly distributed by Barry & Fitzwilliam.