Cognac maison Hennessy taps internationally acclaimed artist Arik Levy to design a new crystal decanter for its super-premium Hennessy Paradis Imperial.

The Hennessy Paradis Imperial is no doubt the jewel in the crown of the House of Hennessy. The blend was first created in 2011 by then master blender Yann Fillioux as inspired by a cognac specially designed for Russia’s Tsar Alexander I back in the early 19th century. Put together with more than 100 exceptional eaux-de-vie each of which are aged for a minimum of 30 years, it’s considered the pinnacle in the art of selection. Indeed, only 10 out of every 10,000 eaux-de-vie from every harvest are deemed good enough to one day become part of Hennessy Paradis Imperial.

So what happens when you want to make the Hennessy’s penultimate expression even more impressive than it already is? Why, packaging, of course. After all Renaud Fillioux de Gironde, Hennessy’s current and eighth-generation master blender can only work with the aged stock his predecessors has left him in order to craft the blends worthy of Hennessy’s long and unique legacy.

So overhauling the blend is pretty much out of the question.

Instead the latest Hennessy Paradis Imperial comes in an exquisite new decanter in pure crystal designed by the internationally acclaimed artist Arik Levy. Unlike previous editions where only the stopper is crystal, the new edition decanter is wholly crystal – bottle, stopper and all. The artist worked hand-in-hand with master crystal cutters to create a vessel with a faceted design that captures subtle variations in lighting to enhance the colour of the cognac.

But Levy’s work extended beyond bottle design. He also designed an elaborate service ritual for pouring, measuring and tasting the cognac. Inspired by Hennessy’s own eaux-de-vie tasting procedures and tools, he put together gloves, crystal vials, a corolla for pouring, and crystal tulip glasses for tasting. But if any spirit is worthy of such pomp, surely Hennessy Paradis Imperial is it.

Then there’s also the trunk crafted by Louis Vuitton. Designed to hold four magnums, the trunk also holds all the necessary tasting implements designed by Levy enough for 18 people to enjoy all that cognac. The trunk-within-a-trunk also allows you to detach a travel case – which holds a single magnum – so you can never be too far away from your Hennessy Paradis Imperial.

To be honest, we can’t foresee a situation where we can put the Louis Vuitton trunk – or even its nomad carrying case – to good use, mostly because we’re not flashy that way.

But we reckon some you might be. In that case you may want to contact Moët Hennessy Diageo Private Client Manager Clementine Wee at clementine.wee@mhdsg.com if you’re looking to obtain the new Hennessy Paradis Imperial (with crystal decanter), or the Hennessy Paradis Imperial Trunk and Nomad Case by Louis Vuitton are available on special order. Prices are upon request.

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