Hennessy
What is Hennessy? The world's largest cognac house. Here you'll learn what VS, VSOP and XO mean, what it tastes like, how to drink it, and which glass it's best enjoyed from.
Cognac from Charente for more than 250 years
Richard Hennessy, an Irish officer serving in the French army, founded the house in 1765 in the town of Cognac. Cognac is brandy made from white grapes, mainly Ugni Blanc. It is distilled twice in copper stills and then aged in French oak. The name may only appear on a bottle that comes from the region around Cognac.
No cognac brand is bigger than Hennessy today. It belongs to Moët Hennessy, part of LVMH. For seven generations, the Fillioux family's master blenders have shaped its taste. Smooth and full-bodied, with plenty of vanilla and dried fruit. The higher up the ladder you go, from the accessible VS to the rare Paradis, the longer the cognac has aged.
In brief
What types of Hennessy are there?
The letters on the label tell you how long the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend has aged for at least. The longer it ages, the rounder and woodier it gets. And the more expensive.
Hennessy VS
The entry-level option, and the world's best-selling cognac. Lively and a little spicy, with vanilla and toasted wood.
Hennessy VSOP Privilège
Rounder and smoother than the VS. Cinnamon, dried fruit and a long, warm finish. This one works for just about anything.
Hennessy XO
The 1870 blend, in that instantly recognizable decanter. Deep and rich, with cocoa, candied sugar, spices and candied fruit.
Hennessy Paradis
A blend of dozens of very old eaux-de-vie. Silky smooth, floral, with a finish that goes on and on. For when there's really something to celebrate.
Hennessy VS 35 cl
The same VS, but in a smaller bottle. Handy for trying or giving as a gift.
Hennessy VS Flask
A flat pocket flask for on the go or in the cooler. Same cognac, smaller size.
VS for cocktails and with cola. If you want to drink it neat, choose VSOP.
Warm and round, full of vanilla and dried fruit
Vanilla, wood & dried fruit
Sweet vanilla from the oak, raisins and apricot. The older blends have some floral notes, too.
Round and lightly spiced
Smooth and full, with caramel and cinnamon. In the VS, the young eaux-de-vie give it a slightly spicy edge.
Long and warm
The warmth lingers, with toasted wood and a hint of cocoa. The older the blend, the longer it lasts.
This is how Hennessy VS tastes. VSOP is rounder and sweeter, XO deeper and woodier.
Three ways to drink Hennessy
Drink cognac at room temperature or over ice. The freezer is not a good idea. How much you can smell depends a lot on the glass.
Neat
Pour 30 to 40 ml of VSOP or XO into a cognac glass or tulip glass. Hold the glass in your hand for a moment, swirl, smell, and only then take a sip. Leave out the ice, as it masks the aromas.
Glass: cognac glass →On the rocks
30 to 40 ml of VS or VSOP over one large ice cube in a tumbler. The ice takes the edge off and makes the cognac easier to drink. Small cubes make it watery too quickly.
Glass: tumbler →Hennessy & ginger
50 ml VS, 150 ml ginger ale, plenty of ice and a lime wedge in a highball glass. That's the most common way to mix cognac. It also works with cola.
Glass: highball glass →The best cocktails with Hennessy
Sidecar
Cognac, Cointreau and lemon juice, shaken and served ice-cold in a coupe with a sugared rim.
Brandy Alexander
Cognac, crème de cacao and cream, topped with nutmeg. Dessert in a glass.
Sazerac
This cocktail from New Orleans was originally made with cognac. With absinthe, bitters and sugar.
French 75
It's usually made with gin, but the original recipe used cognac. With lemon, sugar and champagne.The right glass for Hennessy
Drink cognac neat from a rounded glass that you warm with your hand. For on the rocks, use a heavy tumbler. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Questions about Hennessy
Can't find your question here? Check out our cocktail recipes or send us a message.
To the cocktail recipes →What do VS, VSOP and XO mean for Hennessy?
What percentage alcohol is in Hennessy?
Is Hennessy whisky or cognac?
What's the best way to drink Hennessy?
Where does Hennessy come from?
How should you store an opened bottle of Hennessy?
Buy Hennessy
Want the bottle delivered straight to your door? Order Hennessy online from Gall & Gall. Gall & Gall has 8 varieties, 3 of which are on sale.
Prices as of November 3, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; it costs you nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.
