WITH THE LUNAR NEW YEAR APPROACHING, FRENCH COGNAC POWERBRAND HENNESSY UNVEILS THE FIRST ENTRY IN ITS NEWLY MINTED ZODIAC COLLECTION: THE HORSE EDITION, AN ULTRA LUXE AND HYPER-LIMITED EAUX-DE-VIE BOTTLED IN BACCARAT CRYSTAL

BY WILL HARRIS

Upon hearing the phrase “limited edition,” the skeptical leaning among us might inquire, “Exactly how ‘limited’ is this limited edition?” In the case of Hennessy’s new Horse Edition cognac, they’re not kidding around: the French distiller is releasing just 50 bottles worldwide.

The Horse Edition is the first entry in Hennessy’s new “ultra-luxurious cognac collection in tribute to Chinese astrology,” which will annually include “a new blend of meticulously selected eaux-de-vie [embodying] the spirit of one of the twelve animals of the zodiac.”

Doing the selecting is Renaud Fillioux de Gironde, Hennessy’s eighth-generation master blender. “My uncle instilled in me the values of discipline and consistency in upholding the Maison’s heritage,” Fillioux de Gironde told Tatler in 2024. “Only the finest liquids make it into our Hennessy cognacs.”

Hennessy notes the Horse Edition reveals subtle aromas of lightly roasted almonds, fresh citrus peel, and dewy garrigue notes. “Some of these eaux-de vie seem to defy time,” Fillioux de Gironde told Forbes in 2025. “They preserve remarkable freshness and energy, even after more than a century. It’s about tasting something very old that doesn’t taste old.”

For the bottle, Hennessy teamed up with the legendary crystal house Baccarat to design a crystal decanter that features a hand-engraved, golden equine motif inspired by digital artist Trajan Jia. It features a Chinese hand-knotted collar, and it’s packaged in an equally limited edition coffret in lacquered red wood.

“The Year of the Horse is a spectacular moment of awakening,” said Vincent Montalescot, chief marketing officer of Hennessy. “It symbolizes freedom, new perspectives, and forward momentum values that speak deeply to our own story. Through this collection, we honor over 160 years of shared history with China and celebrate the cultural energy that continues to inspire us.”

Now here’s the catch: because it’s limited to only 50 bottles worldwide, the Horse Edition retails for $39,000. Not exactly pocket change, it must be said, but if you’re a connoisseur of cognac, this ultra-rare expression will feel far more special than a mere pricey pour or home bar trophy. As the master blender noted, it’s a treasure. “When you get the chance, like me, to be in charge of looking after a stock of treasure that goes back to the 19th century, I’m proud to pay tribute to the work that has been done by my predecessors,” Fillioux de Gironde told The Manual in 2025.

Hennessy
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