Crate Expectations

Hennessy adds a boozy spin to Louis Vuitton’s Iconic Trunk

By Lane Nieset 22/09/2019

When Hennessy was dreaming up the new design of the Baccarat crystal carafe for its prestigious Paradis Impérial Cognac, a standard bottle and stopper set simply wouldn’t do. Tel Aviv-born artist Arik Levy spent four years working with master crystal cutters and sound engineers to create a collection of test tube-like vials and tulip-shaped tasting glasses that exude just the right ring during a toast – and make pouring the pale amber-coloured Paradis Impérial as experiential as dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

When you’re working with the haute couture of cognac, you need a storage case that’s equally as spectacular to match. So, for the first time, Hennessy partnered with one of LVMH’s founding brands, Louis Vuitton, to craft a black leather-trimmed, limited-edition trunk, a portable version of a bar cart (priced at $390,000).

Covered in Louis Vuitton’s signature eclipse canvas and stamped with Hennessy’s Arm & Axe emblem, the trunk-within-a-trunk design features three cigar drawers (complete with humidifiers) and storage for three magnums of Paradis Impérial, as well as a single-magnum travel Nomad Case. Stocked with enough stemware to outfit a group of 18, Levy’s stunning set allows anyone pouring Paradis Impérial to become a master of ceremony.

When creating the service ‘ritual’, the artist took a cue from the Hennessy Tasting Committee’s tools used in the 11am daily tasting session, when eighth-generation master blender, Renaud Fillioux de Gironde, sits down to sample nearly 50 eaux-de-vie – only 10 out of 10,000 of which are selected for the final blend. “This project is not only a decanter, it’s the whole personality and identity of Paradis Impérial,” Levy explained during the unveiling of the decanter ($3900) earlier this year in Shanghai. “I really wanted to bring a change in how you experience cognac itself, so that instead of the glass being poured for you, you’re in control of everything.”