Hennessy VS 375ML

Hennessy VS 375ML is a 375ml bottle of VS (Very Special) Cognac from Hennessy, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof). This flagship expression blends over 40 different eaux-de-vie sourced from the four premier growing regions of Cognac, France, with components aged up to eight years — well beyond the legal minimum of two.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Cognac, France  |  VS (Very Special) Classification  |  Distillery: Hennessy

Production & Heritage

Hennessy was founded in 1765 by Richard Hennessy, an Irish officer who settled in the Cognac region of France. Today owned by LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), it remains the world's largest Cognac house. The VS expression is double-distilled in traditional copper pot stills using wine made from designated Cognac grape varieties. Crucially, Hennessy distills on the lees — the spent yeast sediment — which adds body and textural richness to the spirit before it enters French oak barrels for aging. The final blend draws from over 40 individual eaux-de-vie, each aged up to eight years, selected by the Hennessy tasting committee to maintain the house's signature profile across every batch.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a rush of fresh grapes and stone fruit, giving way to layers of roasted almond and warm brown sugar. Beneath those primary aromas sits a pleasant oakiness that anchors the bouquet without dominating it.

Taste: Entry on the palate is fruit-forward and vibrant, with ripe grape sweetness meeting grilled almond at the mid-palate. As it develops, a full richness and creaminess emerge, supported by toasted notes and a hint of baking spice that build toward a satisfying peak.

Finish: The finish is moderate in length with a smooth, slightly warming texture. Lingering impressions of vanilla, fresh toast, and fruity sweetness carry through cleanly.

How to Drink Hennessy VS

Hennessy VS works well neat at room temperature in a tulip glass, which concentrates those fruit and almond aromas, though a single ice cube opens it up nicely for casual sipping. Its bold, fruit-driven character also makes it one of the most versatile Cognacs behind the bar. A Sidecar (Cognac, Cointreau, lemon juice) plays off the natural citrus and almond notes. A Hennessy Ginger — simply VS and ginger ale over ice — highlights the fresh grape sweetness with a spicy counterpoint. And in a Cognac Old Fashioned, the roasted oak and brown sugar tones stand up to bitters and a sugar cube beautifully.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar with a dependable, cocktail-ready Cognac
• Introducing a friend to the Cognac category without a steep entry cost
• Bringing a quality spirit to a gathering in a portable 375ml format
• Exploring classic Cognac cocktails like the Sidecar or French Connection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hennessy VS taste like? Hennessy VS delivers an intense, fruity profile built around fresh grape, grilled almond, and brown sugar, with a creamy palate and a clean vanilla-tinged finish.

How does Hennessy VS compare to Martell VS? Martell VS is generally described as smoother and lighter, emphasizing plum, apricot, and lemon zest, largely because Martell does not distill on the lees. Hennessy VS, by contrast, distills on the lees, producing a fuller-bodied, richer Cognac with more pronounced roasted and toasty qualities.

Is Hennessy VS good for cocktails? Hennessy VS is one of the most widely used Cognacs in cocktails due to its bold fruit character and moderate oak influence, which hold up well when mixed with citrus, ginger, or bitters.

Where is Hennessy VS made? Hennessy VS is produced in the Cognac appellation of southwestern France, using eaux-de-vie sourced from four of the region's premier growing areas (crus) and blended at the Hennessy distillery in the town of Cognac.

What foods pair well with Hennessy VS? Grilled stone fruits like peaches or apricots mirror its fruity core. Dark chocolate complements the roasted almond and brown sugar notes. Charcuterie boards with aged cheeses work well against the spirit's creamy richness. Glazed pork belly benefits from the vanilla and oak tones. Roasted almonds or pralines echo the nutty mid-palate directly.

What sizes does Hennessy VS come in? Hennessy VS is widely available in 375ml, 750ml, 1L, and 1.75L formats, making it one of the most accessible Cognacs across multiple bottle sizes.

Is Hennessy VS worth the price? Hennessy VS positions as an entry-level expression within both the Hennessy range and the broader VS Cognac category, but the complexity of its 40-plus eaux-de-vie blend offers a level of depth that punches above many similarly classified competitors.

Why Hennessy VS?

What separates Hennessy VS from much of the VS field is the practice of distilling on the lees, a technique not used by every major Cognac house, which contributes measurable body and textural richness to the final spirit. The blend itself is unusually complex for a VS classification — over 40 individual eaux-de-vie, some aged well beyond the two-year legal minimum, up to eight years in French oak. That combination of lees distillation and extended blending depth gives Hennessy VS a fullness that translates whether sipped neat or built into cocktails. For a 375ml format, it delivers a practical way to keep a benchmark Cognac on hand without committing to a full bottle.