What Type Of Liquor Is Hennessy Anyway?

Genericization: the term for when a brand is so intertwined with a product, it becomes a common name. It's a well-known phenomenon in the case of Coke, and more surprisingly, Chapstick. Meanwhile in the realm of liquor, Hennessy is a brand that fits the bill. Many know that the name refers to a label, yet the liquor is so iconic, some drinkers don't know its contents. Perhaps they mistakenly think whiskey, or a standalone barrel aged liquor style.

Well, let's clear up any confusion. Hennessy is a cognac (which itself, is a type of brandy). In fact, it's the world's largest popular producer of the spirit, eclipsing competition by several magnitudes. As per legal definition, the spirit is distilled from grapes grown in the Cognac part of France. And specifically Hennessy comes together in the Charente region using ugni grapes. It's available in a wide range of aging types; there are also coveted rare releases. So whether you're trying to make the best cocktails for cognac or after a special sipper, Hennessy will fit your needs.

In large part, Hennessy's popularity in the United States is due to its cultural status, especially in the African American community. Such an intertwined nature arose during the 1950s, when the brand successfully launched a marketing campaign in prominent African American publications such as "Ebony" (per Slate). Furthered by a savvy move of hiring Olympian and bronze medalist Herb Douglas to a prominent position, the liquor took on relevance in black culture for subsequent decades. It became a fixture in hip-hop lyrics (think 2Pac's "Hennessy" and Snoop Dog's "Hennesey'n Buddah"), leading new generations to seek out the spirit specifically, rather than just cognac in general.

All the while, the company upheld a high quality, despite production on such a large scale. For those who are new to cognac, a sip of their expression is a great conversion compared to other brands. Throw in the malleable nature of the liquor in general — cognac can pair with your meal — and it's easy to see why Hennessy became so embedded as a household name. So seek out a bottle, and see why the label sticks out among the rest.