Hennessy has linked up with Loewe to create a new edition of its Paradis cognac contained in a leather representation of a chestnut burr.

Hennessy is known for its creative collaborations, presenting new takes on its familiar decanter shape – particularly for its XO cognac – by artists and other creatives. As the H in LVMH, it has called upon the imagination of the likes of Kim Jones, creative director of Dior Homme at the time, to reimagine its XO. This, however, is the first time a fashion brand from the LV half of the house has been allowed to work on a Paradis decanter.

This is a cognac without an age description. Maurice Hennessy, grandson of the founder Richard, came up with the term “XO” (extra-old) in 1870 and it has more recently come to mean that is blended from eaux de vie a minimum of 10 years old. The term “hors d’âge” is sometimes used to imply a cognac blended from significantly older spirits; but Hennessy prefers simply to call this “Paradis rare cognac”.

The name is a clue, however. Most major cognac houses have a section of the cellar called the Paradis, sealed off behind a locked gate. This is where the oldest, rarest eaux de vie are stored – including damejeannes with labels dating the contents to the 19^th century. And, if you need more than a clue, master blender Renaud Fillioux de Gironde states it outright: ‘You have some eaux de vie in the blend that are 25, 30 years for the young ones, up to 130 for the oldest.’ 

On the subject of names, Fillioux is one that is as closely associated with the house as Hennessy itself – Jean Fillioux was appointed maître de chai in 1806 and seven further generations of the Fillioux family have served their apprenticeships and stepped up to master blender since. So, Renaud has a particular love of Paradis, as he told Brummell:

‘Paradis was created by my great-uncle Maurice in 1979. His passion was music, classical concerts… and Paradis was his attempt to achieve perfect musical harmony in the form of cognac.’

Indeed, the great-nephew sings the praises of Paradis with a musicologist’s fervour: ‘I think this is the most approachable cognac there is. You can enjoy it as a specialist, but you don’t need to be one. Its beauty is easy to appreciate – which is the ultimate luxury. We all find our true pleasure in the middle of it. Everything is in balance, nothing is dominating. But the idea is more than balance; it’s harmony. We’re talking about decades and decades of ageing, and, yes of course it’s deep, yet you still have some citrus notes, some tropical fruit character… It’s extremely fruity and floral. It’s amazing to understand that you can do that. There are not many wines and spirits in the world that can last that amount of time and keep this freshness and intensity. And it all seems to be natural, everything together.’

Of course, it is Renaud Fillioux himself who is blending eaux de vie now to maintain the status of Paradis, a task that requires a deft touch and many parts. Similarly, the leather nest encasing the carafe is handcrafted by Loewe’s artisans in Spain, involving up to 850 intricate knots and requiring up to 33 hours of work in the ateliers. Loewe goes almost as far back as Hennessy, founded as it was in 1846. And the chestnut is a reference to the type of wood traditionally used as [protective] hoops around cognac barrels. 

There is a choice of three colours which echo the lifecycle of the chestnut: anise, amber and chestnut and each carafe includes leather accessories. The Hennessy Paradis x Loewe Limited Edition is a 70cl decanter (£2,300), available exclusively at the Hennessy Boutique at Harrods. There is also a three-litre Masterpiece version (complete with pipette and glasses and arriving in a wooden crate). Price for that is available on request. 

hennessy.com