The Unveiling of Richard Hennessy’s Redesigned Decanter co-hosted by Renaud Fillioux de Gironde and Daniel Libeskind
WORDS BY,
BRANDON SCOTT ROYE
Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
Thomas Doherty attends the unveiling of Richard Hennessy’s redesigned decanter co-hosted by Renaud Fillioux de Gironde and Daniel Libeskind on March 8, 2022.
A rare occasion. In fact, the first of its kind in the US.
The unveiling of Richard Hennessy’s redesigned decanter by luminary designer, Daniel Libeskin, was hosted on the 69th floor of 3 World Trade Center—overlooking the sunset over the river.
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Think black walls and floors, precision spotlights, ambient music and servers gracefully making their marks as they foxtrot in-and-around the exhibition.
As it turns out, Daniel was the architect behind the master plan of the World Trade Center—which we were standing in.
Greeted by a photographer on the black carpet—which felt red, if you know what I mean—we gave our best poses, for a Tuesday, and intuitively reached for a glass of welcoming champagne.
The precision spotlights were cast in all directions, defining crystal clear shadows of each guest across the walls and floors. Excitedly on display were Daniel’s past projects, alongside the design process of the new decanter — from sketchbook to trophy case.
Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
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The unveiling of Richard Hennessy’s redesigned decanter co-hosted by Renaud Fillioux de Gironde and Daniel Libeskind on March 8, 2022.
Hennessy’s Senior Brand Director Michael Traynor, shared his opening remarks, passing it off to the evening’s host and Hennessy’s Master Blender, Renaud Fillioux de Gironde.
His prestigious responsibility requires 40-60 tastings per day to ensure consistency and quality across over 50 million bottles of cognac produced each year. His family has been professionally dedicated to the Hennessy family in this way. Such loyalty and security brings new distinction to the phrases “family of businesses” versus “business of families”.
Renaud made the humbling remark that his role is 10% blending and 90% selection. Meaning, 90% of the work has already been done by his predecessors and he’s simply enjoying the richest fruits of their labor through blending and selecting. There was a palpable emphasis on humility throughout, recognizing the immense village it takes to bring such a pungent joy to the world.
Guided through the exhibit’s twists and turns, guests suddenly discover the glorious new decanter, presented as if it were the crown jewels at the Tower of London.
Rounding the corner through dimly and thinly lit archways led to a dining room which might be best described as a living and breathing geode. The wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling LED screens with Apple-like slow motion videos provided an architectural, textural element to an already-transcendent celebration. A grandiose table with a muted stripe of light down the center illuminated our seating arrangements—with another bottle placed en vogue at the head of the table.
Renaud shared, “There is a difference between waiting and aging. Anyone can simply wait for 100 years. There is an art to aging cognac properly. You’re all great tasters. Feel what you feel and discover something new with every sip.”
Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
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From Left To Right: Thomas Doherty, Joan Smalls, Naomi Watts and Henry Golding attend the unveiling of Richard Hennessy’s redesigned decanter co-hosted by Renaud Fillioux de Gironde and Daniel Libeskind on March 8, 2022.
Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
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Sean Lyles attends the unveiling of Richard Hennessy’s redesigned decanter co-hosted by Renaud Fillioux de Gironde and Daniel Libeskind on March 8, 2022.
Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
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Renaud Fillioux de Gironde attends the unveiling of Richard Hennessy’s redesigned decanter on March 8, 2022.
Guests were treated to a wildly rare and complex bottle of cognac served in long stem, tulip shaped flutes by Baccarat. They’ve tested countless tasting glasses over the centuries and insist that this is the one. With bottle refractions floating about surrounding LED screens, they open the bottle with great fanfare, filling each flute with an oversized dropper, rather than pouring from the bottle directly.
We tasted and we tasted—alongside a divine chocolate bar with candied ginger, honeycomb, and sea salt which instantly melted between fingers. Guests replayed each other’s memories and notes which is the true purpose of such a celebration. A sip can transport you to another time and place with friends, old and new.
With over 500,000 barrels to care for and almost 300 years in business, it is clear that family and humility are the driving forces of Hennessy’s ever-expanding legacy. Cheers to that.
Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
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Joan Smalls attends the unveiling of Richard Hennessy’s redesigned decanter co-hosted by Renaud Fillioux de Gironde and Daniel Libeskind on March 8, 2022.
Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
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Henry Golding attends the unveiling of Richard Hennessy’s redesigned decanter co-hosted by Renaud Fillioux de Gironde and Daniel Libeskind on March 8, 2022.
There is an art to aging cognac properly. Feel what you feel and discover something new with every sip.
Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
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The unveiling of Richard Hennessy’s redesigned decanter co-hosted by Renaud Fillioux de Gironde and Daniel Libeskind on March 8, 2022.