Hennessy is a popular cognac that is known for improving with age. Cognac is a variety of brandy that is produced in the Cognac region of France. It is made from distilled wine and then aged in oak barrels. The longer cognac ages in the oak barrels, the smoother and more complex the flavors become. So does Hennessy actually get better with age? Let’s take a closer look.
How Hennessy Cognac is Made
Hennessy uses a specific process to produce its cognac that results in a high quality spirit that ages well. It starts with selecting grapes from the Cognac region’s premier crus or growths, such as Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne. These areas yield grapes that are high in acidity and low in yield, which creates bold and concentrated flavors.
The white grapes are then pressed to extract the juice. Unlike most wines, none of the pulp is allowed to mix with the grape juice. This gives Hennessy Cognac a purer and cleaner distillation. The grape juice is fermented and distilled twice in small copper pot stills. This double distillation allows the master distiller to closely control the process and remove impurities.
After distillation, the eau-de-vie or colorless brandy is aged in French Limousin oak barrels. Hennessy utilizes a unique aging system called the Hennessy Maturing Cellar. This cellar contains thousands of aging barrels categorized by content, age, and growth area. Cognac from each growth area ages differently, so Hennessy’s master blenders monitor the cognacs and utilize their expertise to blend them into well-balanced spirits. The longer the eau-de-vie ages, the more it interacts with the oak barrel, developing deeper aromas and flavors.
How Aging Affects Hennessy Cognac
So why does aging have such a significant impact on cognac’s flavor? As the spirit ages in the oak barrels, a number of changes occur:
- Evaporation – About 2% of the barrel’s contents evaporates each year. As the water evaporates, it concentrates the flavors and aromas.
- Oxidation – Oxygen interacts with the cognac through the pores in the barrels, smoothing out harsh flavors.
- Extraction – The cognac draws flavor compounds like tannins and lignins from the oak over time.
- Color change – The spirit takes on more color from the barrel, going from clear to golden amber.
These interactions between the cognac and oak barrel directly affect the complexity and intensity of flavors. Hennessy Cognac will feature prominent notes of oak, spice, vanilla, dried fruit, and leather that develop with extended aging.
Flavors by Age
Let’s compare how the flavors evolve in the 3 core Hennessy products that use different levels of aging:
VS
– Aged at least 2 years
– Fruity and floral flavors
– Hints of oak, spice and vanilla
– Bright, youthful profile
VSOP
– Aged at least 4 years
– Richer oak with hints of nutmeg and clove
– Vanilla, cinnamon and baked apple flavors
– Bolder and more robust than VS
XO
– Aged at least 10 years
– Intense aromas of fruit, cinnamon and vanilla
– Robust oak, leather and tobacco flavors
– Silky, elegant and complex profile
As you can see, the longer aging period allows more oak interaction and concentration of flavors. So Hennessy Cognac does indeed improve with age.
How to Drink Older Hennessy Cognacs
While Hennessy VS, VSOP and XO can all be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, extra care should be taken when drinking the older, more delicate cognacs. Here are some tips for enjoying aged Hennessy Cognac:
Use a Tasting Glass
A tulip-shaped tasting glass allows you to appreciate the cognac’s aroma and flavor. The tapered opening captures the aromas while the wide bodied allows you to swirl and aerate the cognac to release more aromatics.
Warm Slightly in Your Hands
Gently cup the bowl of the glass and rotate it to lightly warm the cognac. This opens up the aromas and subtly releases more flavors.
Add a Few Drops of Water
A little purified or distilled water can help “open up” an older cognac and release more complexity. It also reduces the alcohol burn allowing you to better taste the flavors.
Sip Slowly
Take small sips and allow the cognac to linger on your palate. Let your taste buds fully appreciate the rich, intense flavors and velvety mouthfeel.
Pair with Desserts
The fruit, nutty, vanilla, and caramel flavors in aged cognac pair beautifully with sweets like fruit tarts, crème brûlée, or chocolate cake.
The Age and Rarity Factor
In addition to their refined flavor, older cognacs from Hennessy also benefit from the age and rarity factor. As they get older, stocks of certain cognacs become more limited. For example, only about 60 bottles of the 250th Anniversary Blend ($215,000) were produced. The exclusivity and trickle down availability of the oldest stocks adds an extra level of prestige and collectability to Hennessy’s older offerings.
Some Rare Old Hennessy Bottlings
- Hennessy Timeless ($4,000) – 60 Year Old
- Hennessy Beauté du Siècle ($22,000) – 100 Year Old
- Hennessy Paradis Imperial ($12,000-$28,000) – Up to 130 Years Old
- Richard Hennessy ($160,000) – Early 19th Century Vintage
These incredibly aged and limited edition bottlings command sky high prices at auctions and on the rare cognac market. Their age and scarcity make them a luxury status symbol that reflects Hennessy’s heritage and mastery of time.
How Long Can Hennessy Age?
Are there limits to how long Hennessy can age and continue improving? Cognac experts agree that the peak drinkable age is around 60-100 years. During this long aging period, the spirits take on increasing levels of complexity reaching a peak maturity. However after about 100 years, Hennessy cognacs may start to decline in quality and lose some aromas and flavors.
That doesn’t mean cognacs aged longer than 100 years aren’t appreciated. As mentioned earlier, their extreme rarity makes them collectors items. However, their flavor and complexity may not be superior to cognacs in the 60-100 year range.
The oldest cognac ever bottled was from 1762, making it over 250 years old. However most cognac houses acknowledge 60 years as around the practical limit for peak drinkability. So while Hennessy continues to improve up until about 60-100 years, extreme aging beyond that point doesn’t necessarily make them taste better.
Typical Peak Age of Hennessy Cognacs
| Hennessy Product | Peak Age Range |
|---|---|
| VS, VSOP | 4-8 years |
| XO | 20-40 years |
| Extra Old Cognacs | 60-100 years |
After 100 years, Hennessy Cognacs don’t necessarily improve further with age, but their rarity and collectability continues to increase. That’s why you may occasionally see bottles that are 200 or 300 years old at auction.
Does Vintage Matter for Aged Cognacs?
Vintage refers to the year the grapes were harvested to make the cognac. Unlike wine, vintage is not commonly emphasized for major Cognac houses like Hennessy. That’s because they blend eaux-de-vie from multiple vintages together to produce their bottlings.
Blending across vintages allows Hennessy’s master blenders great flexibility to achieve consistent flavor profiles for their products year after year. It also ensures sufficient stocks are available for ongoing production.
However, some collectors and vintage cognac enthusiasts do seek out bottles that come from a single vintage. Typically these are small batch limited edition releases. While Hennessy doesn’t focus on specific vintages, some private collectors have valued Hennessy bottlings from older vintages like the 1800s.
Factors Impacting Vintage Cognac Flavor
While not always emphasized, vintages can impact cognac’s flavor when from a specific year. Some factors that influence the character of vintage cognac include:
- Grape maturity
- Weather patterns
- Soil conditions
- Harvesting and production methods
For example, certain vintages may yield grapes with bolder flavor concentration in warmer years. Cognacs from periods when grapes were hand harvested may also have distinctive qualities. There are some vintage enthusiasts who enjoy exploring these subtle year-to-year variations in flavor profiles.
How to Value Old Vintage Bottles of Hennessy Cognac
Given that Hennessy doesn’t typically emphasize vintage, how should you evaluate the value of old single vintage bottles? Here are some tips for pricing vintage Hennessy Cognacs:
Confirm Authenticity
Have the bottle’s authenticity verified by an expert to ensure it’s a genuine vintage Hennessy release. Fake cognacs abound, so this is essential.
Consider the Vintage Year
Older vintages are more rare. 19th century and pre-phylloxera cognac vintages before the 1870s can command higher prices.
Appraise the Bottle Condition
The bottle should be free of cracks, chips, signs of leakage. Level of evaporation can also impact value.
Research Market Values
Consult rare cognac databases and auction house results to see values for comparable vintage Hennessy bottles.
Get Professional Appraisal
Have the bottle appraised by a reputable vintage cognac expert. They will consider all relevant factors to estimate the current fair market value.
Vintage Hennessy Cognacs in good condition can hold significant value for collectors. But authenticity and provenance must be air tight to justify higher prices.
Should You Invest in Old Hennessy Bottles?
Given the high value certain vintage and aged Hennessy Cognacs can reach, is buying bottles strictly as an investment worthwhile? There are a few factors to consider.
Storage Costs
Proper storage of decades old cognac requires temperature and humidity control to prevent deterioration. This can amount to hundreds of dollars per year.
Authenticity Risks
Purchasing from unreliable sources raises risks of counterfeit or adulterated bottles. Reputable sellers can help minimize fraud risk.
Market Liquidity
The cognac investment market is less liquid than stocks or bonds. It may take time to find buyers for rare bottles.
Provenance Requirements
Buyers will require complete ownership histories going back decades to justify high prices for old vintages.
While cognac has outperformed many alternative investments, it requires long holding periods to realize substantial gains. Significant capital is also needed for initial acquisition costs. An investment of $5,000-$10,000 may be required to purchase investment grade bottles. So cognac should be viewed as a passion investment requiring extensive research and patience to maximize returns.
In Conclusion:
Hennessy Cognac does genuinely improve with extended oak barrel aging up to approximately 60-100 years. The long interaction with the barrel concentrates flavors, brings complexity and refinement. However, extreme aging beyond 100 years may not necessarily enhance quality further once peak maturity is reached.
Older Hennessys also acquire value from their scarcity and exclusivity as stocks diminish over the decades. While Hennessy doesn’t emphasize vintage, some collectors do appreciate single vintage bottlings. Investing in Hennessy requires deep knowledge and a very long term outlook to account for the specialized cognac market.
Overall, a 50, 60 or 70 year old Hennessy Cognac will provide a breathtaking flavor experience that younger bottles can’t match. There’s good reason the brand is synonymous with timeless quality and French art de vivre. While peak drinkable age is up for debate, extended maturation undeniably allows the maison to craft their most refined spirits for devotees to savor. Ultimately, each connoisseur will find the age profile that provides the perfect harmony and personality to match their palate.
