Hennessy XO celebrates 150 years with £15,000 decanter

Cognac house Hennessy has partnered with architect Frank Gehry to create 150 limited edition XO decanters, priced at £15,000 (US$19,130), to mark the expression’s 150th anniversary.

To celebrate the milestone anniversary, Hennessy asked Gehry to use his signature sculptural style to reimagine the XO bottle. The finished product brings together gold and glass to depict Hennessy’s legacy, and is called ‘Masterpiece’.

In addition to this, Hennessy has also created a wider release of limited edition Hennessy XO bottles, also created by Gehry, which will retail for RRP £178 (US$227).

Both the Masterpiece and limited edition bottles will be available exclusively from Harrods and clos19.com from 28 September.

Gehry commented: “It was an honour to be asked to celebrate this milestone for Hennessy XO. While I was excited, it was also daunting because a bottle of Cognac is already a work of art – one you can smell, taste and feel – it doesn’t need embellishment as it’s already there.

“We are showing how we can be creative within that language. There’s such a powerful history and a serious emotional commitment from the people that make this product. It has a resonance that’s interesting to tie into and become a part of.”

Hennessy XO was first created by Maurice Hennessy and cellar master Emile Fillioux in 1870, and was originally intended to be for close family and friends.

In 1947, Gérald de Geoffre, a member of the Hennessy family, created the carafe that Hennessy XO has come to be recognised by today.

Hennessy also plans to mark the 150-year anniversary with a number of festivities in Cognac, France.

Renaud Fillioux de Girande, eighth generation master blender for Maison Hennessy, said: “Hennessy XO is the Cognac for every occasion. It’s timeless – 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 are appreciating a wider array of moments for tasting than they ever have before. Its versatility is what I think makes Hennessy XO so contemporary and relevant today.”

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Timothy Kelly

Tim is the Founder & Master Distiller at Felene. He developed his passion for the spirits and hospitality business while growing-up and working in his family's restaurant and liquor store business. Tim’s passion for the epicurean lifestyle has found it’s latest manifestation in the Felene Distillery. Tim is a 5-time Gold Medal Award winning Distiller. He has won a Platinum medal at the Prestigious Los Angeles Spirits Awards and his signature vodka was named Best-in-Category by the American Distilling Institute. Mr. Kelly is also a prolific author and writer and his blog is filled with ideas, discoveries, observations and recommendations to help his readers enjoy life’s simple epicurean pleasures.

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