Hennessy launches Founder’s Edition bottle – a collaboration with Irish artists Maser and Conor Harrington celebrating the legacy of Richard Hennessy from Cork to Cognac

From close associations with hip-hop legends and rising stars alike, to game-changing basketball partnerships and fashion collaborations, Hennessy’s impact on contemporary street culture – in Ireland and around the world – is immeasurable. But it’s easy to forget that this cognac’s roots stretch all the way back to these shores…

Hennessy’s founder, Richard Hennessy, was born and raised in Killavullen, Co. Cork, before emigrating to Cognac in France – and creating the legendary brand. To celebrate those ties, and to mark what would’ve been the Corkonian’s 300th birthday, Hennessy has teamed up with two of Ireland’s most lauded artists, Maser and Conor Harrington, to salute their founder in style – with a new, specially designed Hennessy Very Special (VS) Founder’s Edition bottle.

A perfect, and distinctly Irish, blend of history and modern innovation, this limited edition bottle was created by the two artists after a trip to Cognac, where they immersed themselves in the culture and heritage of Hennessy. The pair took a deep dive into the cognac’s grape-to-glass process, and met with the people who passionately craft Hennessy VS, following the same recipe used almost three centuries ago.

“We met the master blender Renaud Fillioux de Gironde and he explained to us the textures, smells, colours, and gradients to be aware of in order to make the perfect blend,” Maser reflects. “In that moment, I saw the elements he spoke about are the same as those we use in our paintings.

“Paint is our ingredient, we mix it and introduce new blended colours and textures to give our work that rich gradients, depth and uniqueness,” he adds. “When he spoke about the different grapes, in my mind, those flavours were like pops of colour.”

The result? A stunningly vibrant and colourful artwork and bottle design that powerfully pays homage to the Hennessy founder – and unites the rich history of the Hennessy Maison with Hennessy VS’s boundary-pushing celebration of street culture.

The design is also a brilliant merging of styles, with Maser’s bold colours and patterns perfectly complementing Conor’s portraiture.

Conor – who’s also a proud Cork man – said he wanted to portray “Richard striding forward confidently into his new terrain, while at the same time glancing around and over his shoulder, always with an eye on his roots and where he has come from.”

To celebrate this symbol of Irish pride and achievement the original artwork will hold pride of place upon the walls of Killavullen, the Cork home of Richard Hennessy.

Supporting avant-garde art has been a long-standing tradition of Hennessy. The brand carries on that legacy today with creative collaborations in contemporary street culture – including with the NBA, innovative fashion designer Kim Jones, and hip-hop legend Nas.

Closer to home Hennessy’s collaborations with Ireland’s creatives includes partnerships across street fashion, art and music, with the likes of Emporium, Dublin Block Party, the Future of Irish Music, and rap duo Travis & Elzzz.

Inside this Founder’s Limited Edition bottle, you’ll find the bold and fragrant Hennessy VS liquid – matured in new oak barrels, offering both toasted and fruit notes, with a rich, clearly defined palate and a welcoming exuberance.

• The Hennessy Founder’s Edition (RSP €41) will be available exclusively from SuperValu stores nationwide from September 30th, and all other retailers from October 16th.