This was tasted at Cognac Hennessy – after a tour of their famous Tasting Room – with Olivier Paultes, a member of the Tasting Committee. It was savoured again over dinner that same evening. Paradis Imperial is the creation of 7th Generation Hennessy Master Blender Yann Fillioux. His nephew Renaud Fillioux de Gironde is current 8th Generation Master Blender. The Filliouxs – servants, custodians and guardians of cognac – are a fabled family linked inextricably to the legendary house. Only 10 out of 10,000 or 1 out of 1,000 casks will become a component of Hennessy Paradis Imperial. The eaux-de-vie that go into it are between 30 and 130 years old. (Hennessy XO is between around 12 and 30 years). Deep coloured. Wood spice, cinnamon, clove, and apricot. Nutty. Smooth, rich, creamy. Textured. Very persistent. And lingering.
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