Hennessy Unveils Second Edition of Master Blender’s Selection – A Bespoke Expression of Living Art
New York, NY – At Hennessy, the world’s best-selling Cognac, the role and responsibilities of the esteemed Master Blender come with a discreet luxury every artist dreams of: carte blanche to create a purely personal expression of the craft. Like a self-portrait drawn freehand, Master Blender’s Selection is an intimate expression of creativity and passion. A blend based purely on imagination and innovation, it follows its own rules, traveling an individual timeline from vineyard to bottle.
The Hennessy Master Blender enjoys the freedom to create without constraint. By way of a palette, the Master Blender draws on a selection of high-quality eaux-de-vie with great potential, which have been set aside in the cellar specifically for the Master Blender’s creations. The Master Blender’s selection comprises only a small fraction of the Hennessy reserve, one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Every Master Blender’s Selection possesses a distinct personality. Master Blender’s Selection N°2 was bottled at 43%, also known as “cask strength”: this process gives the blend its gold-tinged dark amber hue and coaxes out aromatic tones defined by roundness with a hint of boldness.
Unlike most Hennessy cognacs, the limited-edition Master Blender’s Selection is a genuine single batch: blended only once, never to be replicated again. As befits a craft cognac, Master Blender’s Selection N°2 will be revealed in late 2017 in a limited number of stores, and exclusively in the US — a tribute to one of the brand’s first export markets.
The Art of Craft Cognac, as Seen by Ugo Gattoni
Ugo Gattoni creates enchanting worlds all his own. For Master Blender’s Selection N°2, the Paris-born illustrator and art director conjured an exquisite universe in graphite and ink.
With a surrealist flair and a dollop of humor, Ugo Gattoni has captured a large-scale, immersive urban dreamscape, with meticulous attention to detail that is essential to the craft of Cognac-making at Hennessy.
“I love to invite viewers into an immersive experience that’s realistic yet surreal,” he says. “Seen from afar, the Master Blender’s Selection N°2 cityscape appears to be one thing, but once you get closer, you find yourself surrounded by endless fascinating details. There’s a lot going on, but at the same time it’s very contemplative.”
A unique, limited edition blend
At Hennessy, Cognac-making is a living art that thrives on patience, passion and a unique savoire faire that has been cultivated for over 250 years. The fruit of generosity, Hennessy’s Master Blender’s Selection can only come into existence with time, the highest finest raw materials and the know-how of many skilled craftspeople. Little by little, the eaux-de-vie they produce come together in a rare and precious expression of craft.
About Hennessy
In 2017, the Maison Hennessy celebrates over two and half centuries of an exceptional adventure that has linked two families, the Hennessys and the Fillioux, for seven generations and spanned five continents. It began in the French region of Cognac, the seat from which the Maison has constantly passed down the best the land has to give, from one generation to the next. In particular, such longevity is thanks to those people, past and present, who have ensured Hennessy’s success both locally and around the world. Hennessy’s success and longevity are also the result of the values the Maison has upheld since its creation: unique savoir-faire, a constant quest for innovation, and an unwavering commitment to Creation, Excellence, Legacy, and Sustainable Development. Today, these qualities are the hallmark of a House – a crown jewel in the LVMH Group – that crafts iconic and prestigious Cognacs.
Hennessy is imported and distributed in the U.S. by Moët Hennessy USA. Hennessy distills, ages and blends spanning a full range: Hennessy V.S, Hennessy Black, V.S.O.P Privilège, X.O, Paradis, Paradis Impérial and Richard Hennessy. For more information and where to purchase/ engrave, please visit Hennessy.com