The high status of Hennessy cognac obliges to drink it correctly, according to established traditions. Without classical rituals, cognac, recognized as the best in the world, turns into drinking the usual forty-degree alcohol.
The right glass
For the taste and aroma of Hennessy cognac to unfold as fully as possible, you need the right glass. It should be thin-walled, wide, rounded at the bottom and tapering towards the top. This type of glass is called "tulip", because outwardly similar to an opening flower. Thanks to this form, the drink gives off its aroma most vividly. Concentrating and lingering at the edges of the glass, he (aroma) allows the true connoisseur to enjoy a rich range of shades.
By the way, about two decades ago, Hennessy fans preferred to drink it from a snifter - a spherical glass with a short stem. The glass fit well in the palm of your hand, but, according to connoisseurs of cognac, it dispersed part of the vapors exuded by the noble aromatic drink. But the tulip de is able to better concentrate the aroma. Disputes on this topic continue today, because the true supporters of Hennessy, as a rule, are conservative and are reluctant to accept changes in traditions.
Catch three waves of scent
Hennessy is served at a temperature slightly above room temperature. So much drink is poured into the glass so that its upper level, as it were, marks the widest part of the glass (≈30-40 ml). A true connoisseur of Hennessy, even in a nightmare, will not dream that he throws the contents down his throat in one gulp, because this is not vodka, it is not drunk with a pickle in one gulp. The lover of the famous cognac will certainly enjoy the play of the aroma first.
Connoisseurs talk about three waves of Hennessy. The first is located at the level of 5-7 cm from the edge of the glass, in it you can catch the delicate tones of caramel and vanilla. The place of the second wave is at the exit from the glass, where it is narrowest, rich notes of fruits and flowers are revealed here, and in Hennessy Extra Old (Hennessy X. O.) you can also feel the presence of autumn shades - fallen leaves and resting earth. Only sophisticated connoisseurs of Hennessy can catch and feel the third wave in full. these are quite deep, extremely delicate and subtle aromas of almond, chestnut and oak.
Feel the unearthly taste
While the Hennessy lover is enjoying the aroma, the drink has time to warm up slightly in his hand. It is the most appropriate time to take the first small sip, which, spreading throughout the oral cavity, allows all receptors to "grab" the true taste as fully as possible. The tasters call this moment “quene de paon”, which means “peacock's tail”.
And in fact, the taste of Hennessy, like the plumage of the main decoration of a royal bird, opens up and seems to increase in volume, at the same time becoming more transparent and subtle. The rich shades of taste play and shimmer, and the one who eats the divine moisture gets incredible pleasure. Continue to drink cognac should be in the same small sips. Slowly, savoring and blissful.
The tradition of the three "S"
It's about a snack. It is clear that cognac, like all strong alcoholic drinks, requires her presence. Three "Cs" are coffee, cognac, cigar (coffee, cognac, cigar). Someone adds the fourth "C" - chocolat (chocolate) and even the fifth - citron (lemon), but this is not for everybody. The combination of exactly three "C" is recognized all over the world as the most successful combination of tastes: after a small cup of coffee, slowly enjoy the cognac, and then just as leisurely smoke a good cigar.
And if the admirers of Hennessy are tolerant of the fourth "C", then the fifth is not categorically recognized. In their firm opinion, offering lemon (even sprinkled with powdered sugar and ground coffee) to cognac is unacceptable stupidity, because the persistent smell and pronounced taste of sour citrus will kill the delicate bouquet of the famous cognac.
However, those who do not welcome strong alcoholic drinks and who find it difficult to imagine how one can enjoy cognac can eat it with “soft” fruits (for example, peaches), as well as dishes and products that have a neutral mild taste and smell (some types of cheeses, pate, etc.). It is even permissible to dilute cognac with natural juice. The owner of Hennessy TM, Maurice Richard Hennessy, says that women or young people who are not used to strong drinks can do this. He is convinced that this cognac is such an elegant and independent substance that it is impossible to spoil it a priori. While the mix with natural juice significantly expands the audience of Hennessy fans.
