Hennessy Richard Cognac

The rarest Cognac Hennessy produces. Over 200 years of rare eaux-de-vie. Sealed in a hand-crafted Baccarat crystal decanter. This is Hennessy at its absolute pinnacle.

Richard Hennessy founded the Hennessy Cognac house in 1765. The Cognac bearing his name is the ultimate expression of that 250-year legacy — a blend of rare eaux-de-vie drawn from Hennessy's private reserves, some dating back over two centuries, assembled by the Comité de Dégustation to represent the full depth and complexity that only the longest-aged, most exceptional Cognac can achieve.

The decanter is Baccarat crystal — the most prestigious name in French crystal, producing pieces for royalty and collectors since 1764. Each Richard Hennessy decanter is hand-crafted, and its form reflects the gravitas of what it contains. This is not simply a bottle of Cognac. It is an object of permanent value, housing a spirit that took generations to create.

At $4,999, Richard Hennessy sits above Paradis Imperial in the Hennessy hierarchy. It is for collectors who want the definitive Hennessy statement — the one that carries the founder's name because nothing lesser could.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep, luminous amber with an extraordinary richness of color.
• Aroma: Pure perfection — infinite aromas of past epochs in supreme balance. Crystallized fruit, floral notes, exotic spice, leather, and a silky wood depth that speaks to centuries of maturation.
• Palate: A texture of pure silk — the quintessence of crystallized fruit flavors, perfectly integrated spice, and a complexity that evolves across every moment on the palate.
• Finish: Infinite. The finish of Richard Hennessy does not end so much as it transforms — each breath after the sip revealing new dimensions.

The Baccarat Decanter

Baccarat has been producing crystal for French royalty, heads of state, and the world's most discerning collectors since 1764 — one year before Richard Hennessy founded his Cognac house. The collaboration between two of France's oldest luxury institutions produces a vessel that is as extraordinary as the spirit inside it. Each Richard Hennessy decanter is hand-crafted at the Baccarat factory in Lorraine, France.

Specs

• House: Hennessy, established 1765
• Region: Cognac, France
• Components: Rare eaux-de-vie dating back over 200 years
• Presentation: Hand-crafted Baccarat crystal decanter
• Size: 750ml

Explore the full Hennessy collection or browse all Cognac at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does Richard Hennessy compare to Hennessy Paradis Imperial? Paradis Imperial is Hennessy's second-highest expression — extraordinarily rare, floral, and refined, inspired by a blend created for Tsar Alexander I in 1818. Richard Hennessy sits above it: older, rarer, more complex, bearing the founder's name. If Paradis Imperial is the pinnacle for most collectors, Richard Hennessy is what exists beyond that.
• What makes Baccarat crystal special? Baccarat has been producing lead crystal for over 250 years, supplying French royalty and heads of state. The crystal is distinguished by its exceptional clarity, weight, and the way it refracts light. A Richard Hennessy decanter in Baccarat crystal is among the most prestigious vessels in the spirits world — a collectible object independent of the Cognac inside.
• Who was Richard Hennessy? Richard Hennessy was an Irish-born officer in the French army who settled in the Cognac region after military service and founded the Hennessy house in 1765. He recognized the potential of the region's eaux-de-vie and began shipping Cognac to international markets — establishing what would become the world's largest Cognac producer. The Cognac bearing his name honors the founder's vision and ambition.
• Is Richard Hennessy a good investment? Richard Hennessy is among the most recognized names in ultra-premium Cognac globally — the combination of the Hennessy house's prestige, the Baccarat decanter, and the rarity of the eaux-de-vie blend make it consistently sought after by collectors. Secondary market values have historically reflected the acquisition price favorably.