For those of you who have had the pleasure of tasting Hennessy cognac, you’ll know that it has a flavor that’s truly incomparable- for those that haven’t will learn here what actually Hennessy does taste like. Although it’s considered to be brandy, it differs from those produced in other regions immensely.

So, if you’ve been wondering whether or not it’s worth taking the plunge, and purchasing one of these bottles yourself, we’re here to help you make a decision. Below, we’ve compiled a handy guide that tells you everything you need to know about Hennessy cognac, including a description of its complex flavor notes.

So, if you want to find out more about this delicious liquor, you’ve come to the right place. To find out more, simply keep reading below.

What Is Hennessy Cognac? 

Now, before we jump straight in and answer the titular question, first we need to cover what Hennessy cognac is. In order to do this, we need to take a closer look at how the beverage is produced.

As many of you will already know, Hennessy is a variety of brandy. So, what makes Hennessy brandy so special, and how does it differ from other varieties of brandy that are less expensive and produced more ubiquitously?

Well, the answer essentially comes down to the region in which Hennessy brandy is produced. It is made primarily in Southwestern France, where specific types of grapes are used in order to make the cognac (see our post on whether cognac is whiskey).

The grapes used are called Ugni white grapes, which are pressed and fermented in order to give the beverage its unique flavor. Like other forms of brandy, it’s aged in wooden casks in order to give it that characteristic flavor.

The brandy is tasted throughout the aging process, to make sure that it has fully matured before it is bottled and sold ubiquitously.

What Does Hennessy Cognac Taste Like? 

Now that we’ve covered how this beverage is made, we can move on to discuss the question appearing at the title of this article. What exactly does Hennessy cognac taste like?

For those of you who have tried other varieties of brandy before, you’ll know that the beverage demonstrates an oaky yet sweet taste that separates it from other liquors. The Hennessy variety is particularly delicious, as it’s one of the sweetest varieties that you’ll try.

In order to adequately describe the flavor, we’ll need to take a look at the different varieties of Hennessy cognac out there. There are several varieties on the market, and although they taste similar, still display slight nuances in flavor.

If you want to try one of the oldest varieties of Hennessy on the market, then we’d recommend trying Hennessy Prvilege, which was actually first produced for King George during 1817. This is probably the most classic variety of Henessy that you can buy, and displays an oaky yet sweet taste.

This one is also a great option if you’re planning on mixing your cognac with other items.

If you want to try one of the sweetest kinds of Hennessy on the market, then we’d recommend going for the Hennessy X.O. Another classic variety of brandy, this one boasts a whole host of different flavors.

When you try this one, you’ll immediately take note of the woody taste, which is complimented perfectly by the chocolate and vanilla notes. In addition to this, the X.O Hennessy also has spicy notes, so if you like a little kick in your brandy, then this might just be the one for you.

If you’re somebody who enjoys more citrus based flavors, then we’d recommend going for Hennessy Black. This variety is fairly new in comparison to the other ones on the market, first making its appearance in 2009. If you love the taste of citrus, honey, and jasmine, then this highly aromatic variety might just be the one for you.

What To Mix With Hennessy Cognac

Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the different varieties of Hennessy brandy out there, we can move on to discuss some popular mixers. If you’ve decided to take the plunge, and purchase a bottle of Hennessy cognac, then you’re probably wondering about the best way to drink it.

There are a few different ways you can drink Hennessy, apart from just mixing with a dash of water or a few ice cubes. One of the most popular ways to enjoy the beverage is to mix it with tonic water.

That’s right, this mixer isn’t just reserved for gin. The aromatic flavors presented by the tonic water really compliment the taste of the cognac.

In addition, you can also mix your Hennessy with ginger ale. We’d recommend purchasing one with a mild level of spice, so that it’s not too overpowering. However, the spicy flavors exemplified by the ginger ale pair perfectly with the sweetness of the brandy, giving you a deliciously devilish beverage to enjoy.

Another delicious mixer for Hennessy is some good old fashioned sweet tea. All you need to do is combine cointreau, sweet tea, and some lemon juice. Mix in your favorite Hennessy cognac, and you’ve got yourself a delicious summertime treat.

The sweetness of the tea prevents the beverage from tasting too bitter, whilst the aromatic flavors help to bring out similar notes in the Hennessy.

Final Thoughts 

To sum up, there are several different kinds of Hennessy on the market, all of which display varied flavors. Hennessy Black, for example, has highly citrusy notes, whereas Hennessy X.O tastes very much like chocolate and vanilla.

Hennessy Prvilege has very oaky notes, which are balanced perfectly with the sweetness of the beverage.