Hennessy Barack Obama 44th Presidential Collector Edition

250,000 individually numbered bottles. A 1-liter release produced in 2009 to pay tribute to the 44th President of the United States, with proceeds supporting the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

The Hennessy Barack Obama 44th Presidential Collector Edition is one of the most historically significant Hennessy limited releases — produced to mark the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President in January 2009. Each of the 250,000 bottles is individually numbered, making the numbering itself a document of the release's scale and historical context. A portion of proceeds was donated to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their students.

The cognac inside is a refined Hennessy expression with a characteristically expressive nose: bitter orange, freshly grated nutmeg, liquorice, dried peppermint leaf, and delicate spices. The palate offers an initial burst of flavor rounding out to an elegant, long finish with spicy complexity. It is presented in a 1-liter bottle — larger than the standard 750ml cognac format — with packaging designed to reflect the historical significance of the occasion.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Rich amber with the characteristic Hennessy warmth.
• Nose: Bitter orange, freshly grated nutmeg, liquorice, dried peppermint leaf, and delicate spices.
• Palate: An initial burst of flavor rounding to elegance — complex and refined.
• Finish: Long and spicy — the complexity lingers through a warm, satisfying close.

Specs

• House: Hennessy, established 1765, Cognac, France
• Category: Cognac
• Size: 1 Liter
• Edition: Individually numbered (250,000 bottles total)
• Release: 2009 — 44th Presidential Collector Edition
• Charitable component: Proceeds to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Thurgood Marshall College Fund? The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is a nonprofit organization that supports students and institutions at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). It is named for the first African American Supreme Court Justice. Hennessy's donation from this release directly supported HBCU students and institutions.
• Is 250,000 bottles rare for a Hennessy limited edition? In the context of Hennessy's overall production, 250,000 is a meaningful limitation — especially for a 1-liter format with individual numbering. The historical significance of the occasion and the individual numbering make each bottle a specific, documented piece of the release, not merely a generic edition.
• Is this Hennessy VS, VSOP, or XO? The Obama 44th edition uses a blend selected for this specific release rather than being labeled under the standard Hennessy tier hierarchy. The tasting notes reflect a refined, expressive character consistent with Hennessy's premium production standards.
• Is the 44th Presidential Edition still available? In limited quantities through specialty retailers. The 2009 release is now over 15 years old and available only through retailers with legacy stock.