Hennessy XO Cognac - Epinions Made Me Do It

I admit it. Epinions is running a promotion regarding certain items. On the list was Hennessy XO Cognac. I like cognac, but have never had the dollars to invest in a very fine bottle. However, with the promotion before me and a visit to a restaurant with a well stocked bar in the evening's plans, it was time to try Hennessy XO.

I'm so glad I finally took the plunge. At the suggestion of one of the gentlemen at our table, we ordered a flight of three cognacs the restaurant had on hand so we could really compare. We tried the standard house variety and it was pleasant. Then a second one that a friend had suggested. Finally, it was time for the Hennessy. I don't know if I would have appreciated the quality so much if I hadn't just tried the other two cognacs.

The Hennessy XO is exceptionally wonderful. Knowing I was going to be trying it, I read up a little on it before I went to try it. I was told the Hennessy XO was rich and full-bodied.I took my first sip. There was a slight burn on the tip of my tongue which quickly mellowed into a soft-velvety feel in my mouth. The aromas drifted up to my nose and played on my tongue. This was great stuff. The other cognacs we had just tried had seemed very good to me a moment again, but now I knew I was trying what cognac was supposed to be.

As I continued to swirl, inhale and sip I got an oaky aroma and a heady floral and pepper scent. Then there is the taste of ripe fruit - not identifiable by me as any particular fruit, but ripe and fruity. This is a very complex flavor. Happily, the aroma and taste have a long finish and stay with you. It encourages slow savoring.

I'm not enough of a drinker to ever invest in $120 a bottle cognacs to have around the house. Still, the experience of relishing a glass together with friends after a fine meal is one I will treasure.

Cognac is a region in western France. The grapes used in making Cognac such as Hennessy are primarily of the trebiano variety. Cognac is double distilled following fermentation and then aged in oak barrels to mellow and enhance its flavors and aromas.

Older Cognacs are labeled V.S. (very superior), V.S.O.P. (very superior old pale), and V.V.S.O.P. (very, very, superior old pale). The label terms X.O., Extra, and Reserve usually indicate that a Cognac is the oldest put out by a producer. Part of the Eau de Vie - the essence of the Hennessy XO goes back over 100 years.

The Hennessy line of cognacs has a long history. It was founded by Irishman Richard Hennessy who fell in love with and founded a firm in the French region of Cognac in 1765. The Hennessy XO was produced in 1865 by Maurice Hennessy for his own use. In 1971, the company went into partnership with Moet & Chandon, and the Moet-Hennessy group was born. In 1987, an alliance between the Moet-Hennessy group and Louis Vuitton gave birth to LVMH one of the premiere luxury lines today.

If Hennessy XO is in your budget and if you like cognac, I will highly recommend getting yourself a bottle. If not a bottle, try getting some friends together for a good meal and a relaxing drink. There aren't many better ways to spend an evening...and thanks to Epinions for pushing me over the edge to try this.