Artist Jean-Michel Othoniel Crafts Two Dazzling Limited Edition Decanters for Hennessy

The Hennessy X.O x Jean-Michel Othoniel collaboration serves as dual-tribute to both the spirit of the brand’s dedication to quality and the artist’s inspiration from glass and light. For the X.O Masterpiece model, a Baccarat crystal decanter adorned with seven gems of varying bold colors is encased in a hand-carved oak display—a nod to Hennessy’s intricate cognac barrels which they masterfully craft themselves at the company’s headquarters. As for X.O limited edition, a show-stopping metal casing reveals a vibrant ruby-hued decanter, where a gem of similar color stands at the top of the cork and in the middle of the case proudly displaying the brand’s name.

“We needed to express something new about the cognac, but also something new in my work,” Othoniel says about the designs. “I love projects working for a company like Hennessy because for me they are another way to think or step into using all materials, to experiment.”

The brand is the maker of the first Extra Old cognac, and its unparalleled expertise in blending and aging fine spirits shines through in Hennessy X.O’s distinctive taste. Staying true to the blend crafted in 1870, Hennessy X.O has been celebrated for its complexity and depth of flavor which takes tasters through a symphony of flavors starting from sweet candied fruit, oaky heat, and spice, and  finishing off with a sumptuous fully-developed mouthfeel of chocolatey undertones.

Always driven by creativity and innovation, this Hennessy X.O collaboration with Jean-Michel Othoniel continues to push the boundaries of excellence, offering collectors and enthusiasts a unique sensory experience that transcends tradition and ignites the imagination with the aim to be both admired as well as enjoyed among friends and family. Whether it’s at a dinner table or a simple toast to celebrate the evening, collaboration and community are key factors to Hennessy’s family history and legacy.

When looking at these show-stopping works, one may ask how they can possibly be made. Well, tucked away in in the heart of Hennessy’s home of Cognac, the company’s Rare Editions workshop brings together its own atelier of talents to carefully replicate each design to perfection. Equipped with some of the highest technology available, the company is given the artist’s vision for both the limited-edition and masterpiece decanters, and from there magic happens.

First, the atelier is able to create calligraphy to be shown on the bottle along with the written heritage. From there, threads are laid meticulously on the bottles to keep their form in order to complete the last step: assembling and laying glass rings to fully create the striking display. Never ones to sacrifice quality, each one-of-a-kind design is complemented alongside a box to create that total wow effect.

When it comes to the most coveted and exclusive creations from Hennessy, the Rare Editions workshop is where the magic happens. Plus, for those most devoted and special clients of the brand, some are given the rare opportunity to craft their own limited-edition bottle, where each step is assisted with the atelier in choosing both the design and calligraphy.

Hennessy is certainly no stranger to embracing the artistic side of spirit making. Not only does this collaboration mark the brand’s second experience collaborating with the French talent (the last time being nearly 20 years ago for a special anniversary design), but Hennessy has also commissioned the likes of fashion designers Kim Jones and Tom Dixon as well as architect-designer Frank Gehry to craft one-of-a-kind creations over recent years. No matter who the creative mind is behind each special creation, the tried and true taste of Hennessy inevitably shines forward.

“At the end it’s a real beautiful object,” the artist says. “I love something very sensual and very soft in a subtle way. I have this feeling of poetry. To see things that are not so obvious and you can turn around the subject and your mind can escape and you can have a poetic moment.”

Discover more about the X.O Hennessy Masterpiece and X.O. Hennessy Limited Edition here.