Celebrating World Cognac Day with Hennessy

Hennessy Global Ambassador of Mixology, Jordan Bushell is a master of his craft. Iconic cocktails such as the Sidecar, Mint Julep and the Sazerac were originally made using cognac as the primary ingredient Image:Supplied

Today is World Cognac Day - a day to raise your glass (at home of course) and celebrate.

Throughout its 255 year history, Hennessy has been synonymous with the pursuit of perfection. Primarily using Ugni Blanc grapes picked from designated growing regions around Cognac, France, blending the eaux-de-vie is an art that takes centuries to perfect.

Renaud Fillioux de Gironde is the eighth successive generation in his family to be the Hennessy Master Blender. Every day at 11am sharp, he assembles his Tasting Committee to sample the eaux-de-vie – the world’s largest collection – to ensure our legacy of excellence continues. Each year the Tasting Committee tastes and grades more than 10 000 eaux-de-vie.

Image:Supplied

Hennessy might be made with strict rules, but there is just one rule when it comes to drinking it: drink it any way you want!

Khomotso Ledwaba, brand manager of Hennessy SA shares some his favourite pairings:

Dark chocolate: Try pairing your cognac, especially with the fruitier notes of a V.S.O.P or X.O, with velvety dark chocolate or coffee flavoured chocolate. Add Hennessy to your chocolate fondant or a cup of hot chocolate

Beef fillet with creamy mushroom sauce: Hennessy pairs perfectly with buttery mushroom sauce

Ginger: The spice of the ginger ale brings out the natural spice of Hennessy V.S

Coffee: Coffee and cognac go together beautifully, add a twist by pouring equal measures over ice cream for a Hennessy Affogato

Citrus: A burnt citrus dessert gives off the ideal citrus notes, perfect for pairing

Duck: The dark, rich, and fatty notes of duck, particularly Asian spiced duck, will be heightened by Hennessy V.S.O.P. The sweet and sour profile is rounded out by the maturity of a well-aged cognac

Honey Glazed Pork belly and Hennessy VSOP will make a Sunday roast something special

Ledwaba concludes, “This World Cognac Day, give yourself leave to play! There are no rules when it comes to cognac; Hennessy is just as enjoyable served neat, on the rocks, in a cocktail or paired with ginger ale! And remember that you don’t need a special glass either, any glass will do so long as it contains cognac this World Cognac Day.”