Hennessy X.O 150th Anniversary by Frank Gehry- Distilled luxury

When you think of Cognacs, you think of Hennessy, and amongst its collection, the “Hennessy X.O” remains one of the most alluring choices, and the “extra old” blend is something that has stood the test of time. As said by the maker itself, this cognac has been immune to fashion trends, and it exists beyond the realm of such whims. Created in 1870 by Maurice Hennessy, the Hennessy X.O gave birth to an entire family of cognacs. It became popular in the US in 1870, followed by Asia (Shanghai and Hong Kong) in 1872. The term was initially coined by none other than Maurice Hennessy himself in the 19th century, and it was first bottled in 1870 for family and friends.  Thus it was not intended for commercial consumption at first and was also was a radical shift regarding cognacs with higher potentials.

In 1947, Gérald de Geoffre, a member of the Hennessy family, made the distinctive carafe, which was a departure from the time when cognac still came in a bottle known as Charentaises. That design, in its essence, has been kept since then, where the curves are inspired by the contours of a cluster of grapes- a homage to the blend’s origins.

This cognac is about having many facets as the company so aptly describes with “seven chapters,” divided into sweet notes, rising heat, spicy edge, flowing flames, chocolate lull, and wood crunches. Thus it has a rich and elegant taste, a blend of more than a hundred different Eaux-de-vie, between 12 to 30 years old.

“Hennessy X.O is the cognac for every occasion. Its timelessness – the fact that its inspiration never changes and never bends to the whims of trends means that it exists in a realm beyond fashion. As time goes by, we have noticed that people appreciate a wider array of moments for tasting than they ever have before. Its versatility is what I think makes Hennessy X.O so contemporary and relevant today,” says Renaud Fillioux de Gironde, the 8th generation Master Blender for the Maison Hennessy.

Thus to celebrate one of the icons of the cognac world, renowned architect Frank Gehry has designed an exclusive, limited run of 150 numbered decanters to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Hennessy X.O. Frank Gehry is one of the most famous architects in the world and is known for his postmodern and bold designs (like the Walt Disney Concert hall and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao). Thus  Gehry has drawn inspiration from natural elements like the Charente River and Cognac soil that surround Maison’s estate, to reinterpret the blend’s iconic legacy is his signature style.

These limited edition 150 numbered decanters are a sculpture in gold and glass while cutting a striking image. It looks stunning and is befitting of the rich blend that resonates with lovers of this cognac. The intricate design and shape is unlike anything else and is very much reminiscent of the bold design and ethos that we have come to know from Gehry.

Each limited edition decanter would also be imprinted with Gehry’s signature and has an SRP of $17,000. With such a blend of design, history, and exclusivity, this would appeal to any collector. Along with that, there is also a wider release of inspired limited edition Hennessy X.O bottles also created by Frank Gehry, which will launch in markets worldwide to further celebrate the collaboration, with an SRP of $200—thus cementing this unique partnership further!

There is also a good cause attached as the proceeds from the original (#1) Frank Gehry X.O 150th Anniversary Masterpiece will go towards Unfinished Business – a new initiative that the brand has that helps small businesses with the financial and mentorship means to power through challenges of COVID-19.