Hennessy VSOP

About this wine

Hennessy V.S.O.P is a blended Cognac built from many eaux de vie distilled from Ugni Blanc grapes, the principal variety used in Cognac production. On the nose it shows fresh stone fruit aromas, notably apricot, with subtle floral hints and a touch of baking spice. The palate is round and smooth, carrying vanilla and mellow oak from maturation in French oak casks, with a gentle spice and a lingering warm finish. The blend typically draws on dozens of eaux de vie from several crus of the Cognac region, with some components aged from around four up to about fifteen years, which gives the spirit balance and depth. The spirit is bottled at 40 percent alcohol by volume and reflects the house style developed by Hennessy’s master blender across generations.

About the grape

Ugni Blanc, often called Trebbiano in Italy, became the dominant grape of Cognac after the phylloxera crisis in the late 19th century because it gives very high yields and maintains sharp acidity even in late harvests. Its wines are thin and neutral by themselves, which makes them ideal for double distillation in Charentais pot stills and for producing clean eaux de vie that show terroir from crus like Grande Champagne and Borderies. In Hennessy V S O P the house relies primarily on Ugni Blanc from the Charente to supply a steady, acidic base spirit that can be aged for the required minimum and then blended by the master blender. Vineyards for Cognac are typically trained on Guyot or cordon systems and planted on chalky, clay and limestone soils that help the grape keep acidity and ripen evenly for distillation.

Quick facts

• 👑 Hennessy V.S.O.P was created in 1818 at the request of the Prince Regent who became King George IV, making it a spirit born from royal demand
• 📜 Hennessy was the first house to popularize the term V S O P which became the industry benchmark for aged cognac
• 🥃 The blend behind V S O P often uses around 60 different eaux de vie aged across several crus, giving it a layered character
• 🍇 Most of the base wine for Hennessy cognacs comes from the Ugni Blanc grape, a humble white grape that thrives in Cognac soils and becomes the backbone of the spirit
• 🎨 Hennessy V S O P has inspired collectible special editions and artist collaborations, making some bottles sought after by collectors beyond the liquid inside

Palate profile

Producer

Jas Hennessy & Co was founded in 1765 by Irish officer Richard Hennessy who settled on the quay of the Charente river in Cognac and established a trading house for eaux de vie. The house formed a lasting partnership with the Fillioux family of Master Blenders from the early 1800s, a lineage that has shaped its blends across many generations. Hennessy created the category defining X.O blend in 1870 and has long been one of the best known and largest cognac houses, with a global reputation for aging reserves and rare eaux de vie. The Maison still operates at its historic address in Cognac where visitors can tour the cellars, boutique and cooperage, and it remains closely associated with luxury collaborations and limited edition releases.