FRANCE. Cognac producer Hennessy has introduced Hennessy XO Mathusalem, a limited-edition six-litre decanter presented in a travelling suitcase.
After a preview at the TFWA World Exhibition in October, the luxurious travel-themed product has been on display in Paris and Singapore Airports and more airports will follow, including Hong Kong, Taiwan and Moscow.
The decanter is the same shape as the one originally created by Hennessy in 1947, decorated with grapes in relief, but the cap has been magnified and is made from an embossed material similar to that of the suitcase.
The embossed lambskin suitcase is metallic grey in colour with moiré glints, and the masculine and shiny material is designed to play with the light. Like a modern trolley case, the case features wheels and a telescopic handle and is opened by two tailor-made brass clasps.
Only 300 decanters are available, aimed at connoisseurs and collectors. A website has been created to showcase the product to consumers (hennessyxomathusalem.com).
Since its launch, the XO Mathusalem has been offered at two charity auctions held in October 2007. The first took place in Rome, during an event organised by amfAR, the foundation for AIDS research founded by Elizabeth Taylor, where Sharon Stone achieved a bid of €35,000, and the second was held in Ireland, at Robert de Niro’s Nobu restaurant in Dublin for Outreach Moldova, a charity for disabled orphaned children.
VIEW THE HENNESSY XO MATHUSALEM PICTURE SLIDESHOW (story continues below)
The Hennessy Fusil
The limited-edition XO Mathusalem comes with a specially designed “fusil” which can be plunged into the decanter to extract a small quantity of the Cognac.
This tasting technique has been used for several generations at Hennessy, to extract samples of eau-de-vie from the barrels.
Famed French designer Marie-Virginie Berbet created a new version of the fusil last year to evoke a contemporary and timeless feeling for the product.
Hennessy XO Mathusalem is said to be a tribute to the iconic Hennessy “eXtra Old” Cognac created by Maurice Hennessy in 1870 as a blend of 100 eaux-de-vie.
Its strong aromas of oak, old leather and black pepper are balanced by softer notes of cloves, cinnamon and vanilla.
About Hennessy
In 1765, Richard Hennessy set up his trading company on the banks of the Charente river in the French town of Cognac. For eight generations, members of the Hennessy family steered the company, and today, Hennessy Cognac is still made by the same family of master blenders since 1800.
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A first for Hennessy XO as Exclusive Collection is introduced in Asia Pacific – 08/06/07
Hennessy launches eaux-de-vie gift box collection – 13/06/05
