Hennessy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hennessy | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Cognac |
| Proof | 80 |
| Manufacturer | LVMH |
| Country of origin |  France |
| Introduced | 1765 |
Hennessy is one of the oldest and most famous manufacturers of cognac, a type of French distilled wine, or brandy. Hennessy currently sells about three million cases of cognac each year.
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[edit] History
The company was born when the Irishman Richard Hennessy[1], who had been a mercenary for the French king, was compensated with land in the town of Cognac in France in 1765 and started a trading business, initially sending liquor back to Irish friends and relatives. His son, James Hennessy, expanded the business into the brandy production with which the town is now synonymous. The business was renamed James (or Jacques) Hennessy and Co, a name the company retains today. The company has been managed by successive generations of Hennessys (now in the eighth generation). Ownership has changed over the years, however. In 1971 Hennessy merged with Moët et Chandon. In 1987 the drinks group then merged with fashion house Louis Vuitton to create what is now the world's largest luxury goods business: LVMH.
[edit] Marketing
Recent innovations include trying to broaden the appeal of the drink beyond its traditional base of older drinkers, by introducing new products such as "Pure White" and "Fine de Cognac" and marketing them accordingly. [2]
[edit] Popular Culture
Hennessy is popular amongst many hip-hop artists and is frequently mentioned in rap lyrics.[3]
In the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Bond, rescued by a St. Bernard in Switzerland, curtly dismisses the dog and tells him to bring Five Star Hennessy.
[edit] Notable Consumers
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is known to have a penchant for Hennessy, purportedly being their number one customer over the past ten years.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Irish Family Names - Hennessy
- ^ Hein, Kenneth. "Cognac is in the house." Brandweek. September 22, 2003 [1]
- ^ MacLean, Natalie. "Bring on the bling -- rappers give Cristal and Hennessy street cred." San Francisco Chronicle. December 16, 2004 [2]
- ^ Blitzer, Wolf. "North Korean leader loves Hennessey, Bond movies", CNN.com, January 8, 2003. Accessed July 9, 2007.
The rapper Snoop Dogg is known for having a taste for Hennessy, mentioning the beverage in some of his lyrics 'I gave her some Hennessy she gave me some head'.
