By Phillip D. Johnson
Hennessy’s Latest Marque Celebrates a Tradition Rich in Elegance and Refinement
Hennessy, the world’s number one selling Cognac, announced the U.S. launch of its newest Cognac, Paradis Imperial. The release of this prestigious and incomparable marque celebrates a 200 year old story steeped in elegance and tradition. The pedigree of Hennessy Paradis Imperial stretches back almost two centuries. In 1818, the Dowager Empress of Russia requested a special blend of very old, gold-colored eaux-de-vie of the finest quality. In response, Hennessy’s Master Blenders delivered their finest creation, a rare blend of Cognac of rare finesse. Two hundred years later, Hennessy is paying tribute to this first delivery with the release of Paradis Imperial. The bottle is available nationwide with an average price of $2,700.
“I inherited and blended superior selections of eaux-de-vie that were produced and protected for optimal ageing by previous generations of my family,” says Hennessy Head of Tasting Committee and Master Blender, Yann Fillioux. “Paradis Imperial is an exceptional offering generations in the making.”
Paradis Imperial boasts a subtle refinement with hints of jasmine, orange blossom and other flowery notes spiced with smoky accents. Only achievable in the rarest of Cognacs, the finish is delicate yet enduring; and the aromas and flavors of Paradis Imperial are where the true elegance of the Cognac is revealed. Paradis Imperial is a blend of the finest eaux-de-vie, singled out immediately after their distillation. These exceptional eaux-de-vie, that represent less than 1% of the eaux-de-vie of a given vintage at the original selection, are between 30 to 130 years-old and are matured with individual care and attention in old casks before being used or poured into “Dames-Jeannes.” After this maturation process, only one out of 1000 eaux-de-vie of a given vintage will become part of the Paradis Imperial blend.
“Paradis Imperial is a Cognac unlike any other. It is meant for the knowledgeable consumer who is looking for an elegant blend to entice their palate,” says Rodney Williams, Senior Vice President, Hennessy. “We’re excited to finally make it available to Cognac lovers in the United States.”
Continuing that tradition of luxury and absolute excellence, Hennessy enlisted Stephanie Balini, an award-winning French Baccarat designer, to design the Paradis Imperial bottle. Since graduating from the prestigious Ecole des Arts Decoratifs, Miss Balini has demonstrated a singular command of luxury while demonstrating a maturity that compels respect. A winner of the Young Designers Award sponsored by the Comite Colbert (an association of French luxury companies), Balini made her name at Baccarat with the “Damoiselles” collection: Eight large, crystal stemmed glasses that illustrate her poetic and precise mastery.
The silhouette of the stunning crystalline glass decanter is the iconic Hennessy shape, with a luxurious crystal cabochon that tops the 18-carat gold and silver collar. Each bottle of Hennessy Paradis Imperial is encased in a luxury gift box and individually numbered, making it the perfect gift for Cognac aficionados.
Hennessy is imported and distributed in the U.S. by Moet Hennessy USA, Inc. and is produced by Jas Hennessy & Co., a subsidiary of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A. The company distills, ages and blends a full range of marques, including Hennessy V.S, Privilege V.S.O.P, Hennessy Black, X.O, Paradis and Richard Hennessy.