There is an exciting destination for the world’s cognac aficionados at Harrods. The renowned London department store is where Hennessy has established an extraordinary standalone boutique dedicated to its exquisite cognac and selling its rarest expressions and collector editions.
Hennessy cognac boutique
The space presents a contemporary new format where those who appreciate very fine cognac may taste, experience, and expand their appreciation of the craft for which Hennessy is globally acclaimed. The boutique showcases Hennessy’s Editions Rares cognacs, a collection of the most exquisite eaux-de-vie in the maison’s extensive library, some of which date back to the early 19th century.
These eaux-de-vie have been selected with the utmost care and set aside to mature, season after season, across eight generations of master blenders. When the time is judged right, skill and experience are called upon to select from these precious reserves and compose some of the world’s most remarkable blends.
Laurent Boillot, Hennessy CEO, has commented: ‘We are delighted to announce the opening of a permanent Hennessy Boutique in Harrods, London. We look forward to delivering extraordinary experiences and creating Paradis in London within the world’s most iconic department store, in opening this special destination.’
Hennessy Paradis
The entire rare Hennessy collection is displayed within the boutique with a particular highlight on Hennessy Paradis – the exceptional cognac named in reference to the Hennessy Founder’s Cellar (located on the banks of the Charente River in Cognac, western France) where only the finest, rarest and oldest eaux-de-vie are kept.
Originally created in 1979 by master blender Maurice Fillioux, Paradis is made from 100 eaux-de-vie that have been aged for up to 130 years and expertly selected and balanced. This cognac was inspired by Fillioux’s love of music and classical compositions – a voluptuous and aromatic spirit that is a celebration of harmony in liquid form. Hennessy Paradis is a cognac of remarkable depth and elegance; a pinnacle of the brand’s finesse, beautifully presented in a decanter by Italian designer Ferruccio Laviani.
The Hennessy boutique also sets the stage for the display of a new expression that has been created exclusively for Harrods.
A luxurious Dame Jeanne (a large balloon-shaped bottle) created in collaboration with artist Nelly Saunier is being sold as a one-of-a-kind piece, complete with ten decanters of a cognac that is the masterpiece of eighth-generation master blender, Renaud Fillioux De Gironde. The design of the vessel takes inspiration from Saunier’s passion for birds and is lavishly adorned with gilded feathers.
The luxury cognac market is growing. There is a deepening appreciation for this magnificent spirit, especially as it is seen as an esteemed gift, presented in decanters that are artworks in themselves. Recognising this, and adding a further rich layer to the Hennessy experience, the boutique presents ‘Hennessy Hands’ (also exclusive to Harrods), a personalisation service underpinned by the heritage skills central to the creation of Cognac, from calligraphy to cooperage.
A collection of handcrafted leather bottle tags designed to adorn the neck of each bottle is available in an array of options and colours, to which embossed gold or silver initialing is added to order. Centuries of Hennessy’s excellence, uniquely presented, makes a rare gift indeed. §
Also see our look at the department store’s -designed .
