Hennessy has teamed up with famed architect Frank Gehry to create 150 limited edition XO decanters, priced at $19,130, to celebrate the iconic Cognac expression’s 150th anniversary. The partnership is the latest in a long line of events and special releases the French brandy brand has unveiled to commemorate the original launch.
For the 150 limited edition decanters, Hennessy asked Gehry to use his signature sculptural style to reimagine the XO bottle. The finished product melds gold and glass to depict Hennessy’s legacy, and is called “Masterpiece.”
In addition to these high-end bottlings, the Maison has also created a wider release of limited edition XO bottes, also designed by Gehry, that will sell for $227.
“It was an honour to be asked to celebrate this milestone for Hennessy XO,” said Gehry. “While I was excited, it was also daunting because a bottle of Cognac is already a work of art – one you can smell, taste and feel – it doesn’t need embellishment as it’s already there. We are showing how we can be creative within that language. There’s such a powerful history and a serious emotional commitment from the people that make this product. It has a resonance that’s interesting to tie into and become a part of.”
In 1870, Maurice Hennessy and cellar master Emile Fillioux created the original Hennessy XO exclusively for family and friends
“Hennessy XO is the Cognac for every occasion. It’s timeless – the fact that its inspiration never changes and never bends to the whims of trends means that it exists in a realm beyond fashion,” said Renaud Fillioux de Girande, eighth generation master blender for Maison Hennessy. “As time goes by, we have noticed that people are appreciating a wider array of moments for tasting than they ever have before. Its versatility is what I think makes Hennessy XO so contemporary and relevant today.”
Both the Masterpiece and limited edition Hennessy decanters designed by Frank Gehry will be available exclusively from Harrods and Clos 19, beginning September 28.
