RICHARD HENNESSY In 1765, Irish aristocrat Richard Hennessy, who had been serving in the French forces, founded an eaux-de-vie trading business in Cognac. Under his son James, the company expanded rapidly and the name Hennessy has been interlinked with the history of cognac ever since… Today, Hennessy is the uncontested leader in cognac, selling 50 million bottles a year around the world. Its V.S, V.S.O.P, Privilège, X.O, Paradis and Richard Hennessy are the pillars in a range of products that are both benchmarks of excellence in the world of cognacs and icons of refinement and luxury.