Paradis Impérial is an incredibly nuanced and complex cognac, inspired by the cognac blended for the Imperial Court of Russia in 1818. “The Dowager Empress of Russia commissioned the Maison's first master blender, Jean Fillioux, to create an exceptional cognac for her son, Tsar Alexander I. In 2011, Yann Fillioux, the current and seventh-generation master blender, painstakingly re-created this unique and incomparable blend using tasting notes from the original, crafting a cognac of elegance and extreme subtlety." Speaking of bottles of Hennessy that cost thousands of dollars, let’s take a look closer at a couple of those offerings. Do not fear, there is no charge for just talking about them…I hope. Here’s a look at some high price Hennessy bottles out there: Hennessy Paradis On the palate, a graceful, silky texture runs all the way through to a flavourful and deep, persistent finish. Cognac ingredients like honey, dried flowers, truffles and soft spices come to the fore in a melting pot of flavours. Delicate notes of cinnamon, cardamom and preserved fruits give way to perfumes of dried rose petals and sweet briar jam. The ice goes in a shaker. Cognac, lemon juice and triple sec also go in the same shaker. Shake very well. Strain it into the glass and do not forget to express the orange peel after pouring. The Mint Julep The reasoning behind the higher average price point can seem elusive but can really be pinned down to one thing: specificity of ingredients. Cognac must be made in the Cognac region of France. It is required to be made from white wine grapes grown in the region.

As we have seen, cognac does have a higher price point than many spirits on the market. However, the time, ingredients, and creativity involved in the process explain why we should expect to pay a little more when searching for a good cognac. In addition to expensive base ingredients, cognac is finding another reason to have a higher average price point than other spirits. It is the old rule of supply and demand. If demand outweighs supply, then the supplier can charge more for its product. Hennessy prices tend to be higher because of this. Hennessy VS: Very Special; this indicates that the youngest in the blend is at least two years old. Hennessy Paradis Imperial is the epitome of the art of selection. Only 10 out of the 10,000 eaux-de-vie have the potential to join this blend are a rare few, some of the rarest and oldest from a given vintage chosen meticulously by Master Blender Yann Fillioux. Its namesake is obviously THE Richard Hennessy, founder of what is now the most popular cognac and largest producer in the world. Created in 1996, to honor the legacy of Richard Hennessy, it features blends from 40 – 200 years of aging. All that aging means only one thing – it is expensive…and probably quite a good cognac. The Alphabet ExplainedThey are blended into an excellent cognac defined by its graceful, silky character, highlighting its finely nuanced and harmoniously balanced aromatic qualities. Bottled in a distinctive crystal decanter designed by renowned French designer Stéphanie Balini. Shaped in the classic Hennessy style, with a more slender silhouette, the vial is inspired by the elegance of the Russian Empress. Paradis Imperial has notes of freshly cut grass, jasmine, orange blossom, and oak. Hennessy is a type of brandy that is produced in Cognac, France. It is therefore categorized as a Cognac as this is the term given to brandies from that region. (All Cognacs are brandy, but not all brandy is Cognac.) While other spirits can be made with inexpensive products like wheat, barley, or other cheap grains and products, cognac requires the premium ingredient of grapes grown in a very specific place. In addition, cognac features blends of multiple types of fermented product varying in age. Simply put, cognac is expensive because it is made from expensive things. Founded in 1765, Hennessy is a classic brand that offers a unique flavour. It has become one of the 'big four' cognac houses, along with Martell and Rémy Martin, so if you are looking for a cognac to gift to someone or to enjoy at home, we have plenty of choices for you.

It consists of eaux-de-vie of which are a reflection of the personality of such a delightful cognac: supple, light and round. How does this relate to the current Paradis Imperial? Well, master blender (and apparent history buff) Yann Fillioux decided he would like to recreate this once made masterpiece. After much research and utilizing some precious and old Eaux-de-vie, he was able to recreate the one time gift to the Tsar. As you can imagine, the cognac community is quite tight-knit, given its small regional requirements. The majority of the more popular cognacs originate around the same time frame (early to mid 1700s). Here is a list of alternatives to Hennessy that are quite popular in their own right and similar in price point. Brand Hennessy narrows the ingredient list down even further by using the Ugni Blanc grape exclusively. The Ugni Blanc is described as fruity, with some citrus notes, lending itself to being ideal for production into the Eaux-de-vie blends that will become cognac. Supply and DemandFirst use your muscle to muddle one sprig of mint, with the simple syrup and bitters into the bottom of your glass. Take the muddled mint out. Now, pour ice into the same glass. In goes the cognac, whilst stirring. Add the mint sprigs as a garnish. The Old Fashioned – Cognac Style Given its name, one could assume that this blend features many old, prized Eaux-de-vie amongst its ingredients. It would appear that the more finesse and consideration a cognac requires, the higher its price may be. With that, let’s look at the older, wiser, more expensive (about two grand more expensive, that is) brother to Paradis: Paradis Imperial. Hennessy Paradis Imperial Made in a region called Cognac, France, Hennessy is officially a cognac. By rule, cognac must be double distilled utilizing a copper pot still. Cognac is often a blend of multiple Eaux-de-vie (literally meaning water of life but referring to the distilled wine product with very fruity flavors).

Its superb display of coppery gold colours is an indication of the many years it has spent ageing in old casks. Created by Maurice Fillioux in 1979, the cognac Hennessy Paradis is known for its voluptuous and harmonious aroma. As the largest brandy producer in the world, Hennessy sells over 50 million bottles a year! The distilling process uses premium ingredients which results in a very smooth, high quality line of Cognacs known world wide. Hennessy: A Brief History The Paradis Cognac has been reinvented on a number of occasions. In 1979, Cognac master Maurice Fillioux assembled a symphony of flavors from his grandfather’s collection in the 19th century to create the Hennessy Paradis Extra. It arrives in a full bodied 70cl decanter which has become synonymous with the Hennessy Paradis line of Cognacs. There is the Hennessy Paradis Impérial, which is best known for its stunning crystal decanter designed by Stephanie Balini. The selection of eaux-de-vie was curated by the seventh Cognac Master, Yann Fillioux for the 2011 release. There is also the Hennessy Paradis Horus, released in 2012. This decanter oozes decadence; designed by Italian Ferruccio Laviani, it is in the shape of a golden flame and is gilded with a gold plate of 18 carats. How to serve Hennessy ParadisRecords the default button state of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie. This cookie is set by Rubicon Project to control synchronization of user identification and exchange of user data between various ad services. Hennessy VSOP Privilege: Very Special Old Pale; indicates that the youngest in the blend is at least four years old; however, these are often far older blends. Hennessy Prices Type A bottle of Hennessy can be a celebration, a gift, or an indulgence with friends and family at home. Whether you're looking for Hennessy, or the brand owned by the same company, Moet, we've got the right selection for you at House of Malt.