Hennessy commemorates founder’s 300-year legacy

Cognac brand Hennessy has released a limited edition design celebrating the 300th anniversary of the birth of its founder, Richard Hennessy.

Designed by Irish artists Conor Harrington and Al Maser, the VS Founder’s Edition reflects the influence of Cork-born Richard Hennessy, who emigrated to Cognac and created the Hennessy brand. Born in Killavullen, Cork, in 1724, Hennessy left his native Ireland to join Louis XV’s army in France. In 1765, he founded a wine dealership along the banks of the Charente in Cognac. Maser and Harrington were tasked with creating the label design last year and travelled to Cognac. There, they immersed themselves in the culture and heritage of Hennessy, learned about its grape-to-glass process, and met those who craft Hennessy VS.

Maser is renowned for his colourful street art and geometric abstractions. His artistic platforms span street murals to interactive installations, showcasing a signature style that merges urban energy with engaging forms.

Cork-born Harrington merges classical art with street aesthetics, exploring masculinity and power in modern society through historical motifs and vibrant urban influences.

The co-created label is a homage to their fellow Irishman and bridges the heritage of the Hennessy Maison with a celebration of street culture.

Maser said: “There are so many parallels to this real-time project and the historic story of Richard Hennessy. We travelled to Cognac on the same trip as Richard, and while staying in the Château, we got to live in his time for that brief moment.

“The opportunity to experience those surroundings did not pass me by. We met the master blender, and he explained to us the textures, smells, colours, and gradients to be aware of in order to make the perfect blend. At that moment, I saw that the elements he spoke about are the same as those we use in our paintings.

“Paint is our ingredient: we mix it and introduce new blended colours and textures to give our work rich gradients, depth, uniqueness. You can see this in the deep orange tones we have in the painting. When he spoke about the different grapes, in my mind, those flavours were like pops of colour. The contrast between Conor's work and mine is a great example of the perfect blend, painting together to create a unique piece, which, in my opinion, is similar to the work of the Hennessy cellar masters.”

The original artwork will hold pride of place upon the walls of Killavullen, Richard Hennessy's Cork home, after the launch of the limited edition bottle on 22 October in Dublin.

Harrington added: “I portrayed Richard striding forward confidently into his new terrain while at the same time glancing around and over his shoulder, always with an eye on his roots and where he has come from. I used Ireland as the main inspiration for the colour palette in his portrait, with the green of his coat and the yellow and gold in the background reminiscent of the Irish tricolour, a palette we are known for the world over. "My painterly language is both solid and grounded, but at the same time, the blurs, swipes and erasure marks evoke a strong sense of time and memory, highlighting the strength of history and heritage that is so unique to the Hennessy brand.” Matured in new oak barrels, Hennessy VS Cognac offers 'toasted and fruit notes with a rich, clearly defined palate'. Hennessy VS Founder's Edition is now available at the Hennessy Boutique at Harrods for £40 (US$52). Last month, the Cognac brand teamed up with LeBron James to create a limited edition VS bottle. Earlier this year, Hennessy celebrated the Notting Hill Festival with a limited edition bottle and teamed up with artist Jean-Michel Othoniel to release two limited edition expressions: the  €35,000 (US$38,950) Hennessy XO Masterpiece and the Hennessy XO Limited Edition.