Toast to the immortal

When Hennessy launched its new packaging for Hennessy X.O at Makati Shangri-La’s Shang Palace recently, it made sure the flavors of China were included in the celebration. The event venue was decorated with a waterfall of crystal chandeliers and intricate Oriental furnishings. Paired with Hennessy X.O, the flavors of authentic Cantonese cuisine came alive.

In 1870, in Cognac, France, Maurice Hennessy – the great grandson of the founder of the House of Hennessy – invented Hennessy X.O, a cognac brand both elegant and complex, which combines a strong identity with a beautiful style. Maurice Hennessy devised this cognac for his own enjoyment and that of his friends, whom he wished to honor through creating a unique taste. As time went by, the cognac brand became an icon.

In the year of its creation, it was already being delivered to Irish cognac lovers and two years later, in 1872, this majestic cognac was known to important Chinese customers in Shanghai.

The character of the brand was particularly appreciated in China where, over the years, the number of orders continued to grow. This reputation extended across the globe, to Egypt, Sweden, Austria and Uruguay. As Hennessy’s success spread, so did the name “X.O,” until it became synonymous with a specific category of cognac.

Today, the brand’s spirit of conquest has opened the doors of the world. Hennessy X.O is not only a cognac, it is also a way of living. Some even established it as a symbol of their convictions, such as Ku Lung, the founder of Kung-Fu, whose last wish was to be buried with 200 bottles of Hennessy X.O. Due to lack of space, his tomb accommodated 48 bottles only. And so a legend was built.

Maurice Hennessy endowed this prestigious cognac with two mysterious letters, “X.O,” to signify the eXtra Old character of the 100 eaux-de-vie that compose it.

In 1947, Gérald de Geoffre designed the first Hennessy X.O decanter whose form is still familiar to us today. Encrusted with vine bunches that burst from the glass, as if it were set with jewels, the decanter demands complex technical expertise for its realization, requiring the most avant-garde expression of the glassmaker’s skills. The silhouette of Hennessy X.O has remained unchanged since then.

Although the silhouette of Hennessy X.O remains immortal, year after year, the company takes effort to inspire it with a spirit of timeless modernity that defines its contours. Today, the codes of the decanter have once again been reinterpreted, with a variety of infinitely precise details.

Hennessy X.O writes its future by drawing on the beauty of its present, without ever discarding its past.

Happy birthday, Cacay!

Photos by Joey Server

Has it been a year already? It doesn’t seem that long ago when I last attended my dear friend and PR practitioner Cacay Moras’ birthday parties in 2011. Yes, I said parties. I remember she had three or four birthday parties last year.

This year’s festivities started out at the Snow Patrol concert where a group of Cacay’s friends, both from Manila and Cebu, came to watch the show at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. When that was over, they all headed to Time 7840 on Makati Avenue to meet up with the rest of the guests as the main shindig began. Playing that night were DJs John Odin and Cammy V., by special request of the celebrant. Missing from the party were good friends Markus Schmidt and Richard Danao who were in Germany getting ready for their wedding (congratulations!). They did make their love felt, however, by sending over some beautiful Firma floor lamps to spruce up the décor. All in all, it was a great night with great friends. This early, I’m hearing talk of a follow up celebration happening in Cebu soon. One party just isn’t ever enough, is it?

Happy birthday, Cacay! Looking forward to your parties (yes, plural) next year!