2019-07-22
Hennessy

Hennessy V.S.O.P 'Owning the Sunset'

Hennessy Presents a Vivid Take on the Magic Hour with 5 ‘Hennessy V.S.O.P Sunset’ Cocktails Savour twilight in a glass amid the fading glow of the day

(Hong Kong, 16th July 2019) Prized for crafting exquisite cognac, loved by royalties and the most discerning connoisseurs, Hennessy has been elevating the tasting experience of the classic French spirit by enriching its creative expression in mixology with over 141 original cocktail recipes to date.
Now the exponent of joy and beauty à la française turns up the volume once again with a colourful tribute to the magic hour, unwind after a day of action to replenish and recharge the soul. Headlining this celebration are 5 ‘Hennessy V.S.O.P Sunset’ cocktails, which are available in multiple outlets in Hong Kong. Each one of them a burst of twilight colour to allude to life in its fullest. These cocktails, including the brand-new Paint the Sky created by award-winning mixologist Shelley Tai; the well-received Hennessy Sunset Lime which debuted last year, and the newly concocted Hennessy Sunset Tea Ceremony, Hennessy Sunset Lychee Fizz and Game Changer, represent a new perspective on the connoisseurship of Hennessy V.S.O.P in the iridescent glow of the setting sun.
This creative, almost poetic, perspective was unveiled at the ‘Owning the Sunset’ party on 16th July at The Villa, which offered an immersive experience for guests to savour the notion of ‘Hennessy Sunset Cocktails’ amid high-octane performances against the backdrop of one of the world’s most magnificent cityscapes. Cocktails were created in collaboration with the legendary mixologist Antonio Lai and his team from Quinary, one of the world’s Top 50 bars for 5-straight years, including the ‘Diageo World Class Competition 2019 HK & Macau Bartender of the Year’ Shelley Tai. Canapés were curated by chef Vicky Cheng from the Michelin-starred VEA. A multisensory journey proceeded along a continuous flow of experiential spaces, chasing the colours of sunset with a change of mood and music every 30 minutes. Beach chairs, a zen-inspired circular installation, a pinkish bubble bathtub, and the neon-lit Sunset Bar, the effervescent sense of joy rippled as the night sank deeper and deeper. The changing hues of sunset also inspired the colour coding of the evening’s performances, which in turn matched with different cocktails and experiential spaces. Performances included a flash mob, synchronised swimming, urban ballet and a circus fire act which took up different thematic colours of the setting sun to complete a multifaceted experience.
A fizzy, sweet & sour mix of Hennessy V.S.O.P with zesty lime, Hennessy Sunset Lime is a light, citrus and fresh concoction that wakes up all senses to the beauty of the summery sunset. Meanwhile a note of subtlety in Hennessy Sunset Tea Ceremony washes the palate with unsweetened tea and an orange twist, whereas Hennessy Sunset Lychee Fizz ups the cognac cocktail game with a pinch of juicy lychee, offset by unsweetened tea and dry sparkling wine to give a bubbly sensation. As the night falls, the heavier, smoky Game Changer hearkens back to the mysterious veil of the night for a sophisticated palate mixing pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, agave nectar and the lingering Ardbeg 10 Year in one.
Crafted by Shelley Tai at Quinary, Paint the Sky captures the first hint of a velvety night with a slightly stronger taste combining the amber-coloured Hennessy V.S.O.P with sweet and sour roselle syrup, lemon juice and jasmine tea. The purplish pink cocktail is a surprising yet perfect coalition of opposites in the spectrum of tastes: the cognac and the light infusion of citrus and tea contrast and complement each other to round off the happy hour in a summer evening. 

With over 9 years of bartending experience under her belt, Shelley Tai is the rising star in the cocktail bar scene in Hong Kong and beyond. Before joining Quinary, the city’s foremost high volume multisensory mixology cocktail bar helmed by master mixologist Antonio Lai, Shelley cut her teeth at legendary clubs and restaurants. Her knack for marrying unlikely flavours in her creations has earned her multiple industry accolades, including the most recent ‘Diageo World Class Competition 2019 HK & Macau Bartender of the Year’. She will be representing Hong Kong & Macau to vie for World Championship later in Glasgow.
 
Hennessy V.S.O.P invites you to ‘Own the Sunset’ and soak up the taste of cognac- based cocktails at Quinary, Aqua, Hutong, W Hotel, ANA Ten, Club Albergue 1601, Divino, Divino Patio Ristorante Bar, Epure, FoFo By El Willy, Spasso Ristorante & Bar, and other selected bars, where ‘Hennessy V.S.O.P Sunset’ cocktails will be served starting in August.
 
Connoisseurs can sip at Paint the Sky by Shelley Tai exclusively at Quinary from August 1st to 31st, Price $160 / glass (+10% service charge)
2025-02-10
Hennessy

HENNESSY UNLEASH CHINESE NEW YEAR 2025 LIMITED EDITION WITH FASHION DESIGNER SHUTING QIU

THIS CAPTIVATING COLLECTION EMBODIES THE RICH HERITAGE AND TIMELESS ELEGANCE
OF CHINESE BROCADE, BLENDING TRADITION WITH INNOVATION, AND CELEBRATING
ARTISTRY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP

(Hong Kong, 3 December, 2024) - Maison Hennessy unleashes a new collaboration for
2025 Chinese New Year, the Year of the Snake, with a vibrant limited-edition
collection by Chinese fashion designer Shuting Qiu.

 

In a fusion of fashion and luxury, the collection, called ‘Reimagination’, is in honor of
the snake, which is about renewal and positive transformation, leaving behind the
past and embracing new beginnings.

 

Vibrant, abstract interpretations of a snake writhe across the carafe designs, using
splashes of colour and prints, such as ancient Chinese brocade patterns, to reflect the
texture and scales of the snake body.

 

Shuting Qiu, who is originally from Hangzhou and now based in Shanghai has drawn
inspiration from her cultural heritage. Looking to the jacquard fabric, Chinese
brocade and embroidery prints traditionally used in clothing and textiles in her
hometown, Qiu has reimagined the symbolic floral motifs and abstract snake scale
patterns to adorn Hennessy's iconic V.S.O.P, X.O and Paradis cognac carafes. With
base colours of red, each bottle tells a unique story, and as a nod to Hennessy’s
heritage, the snake’s movements through the patterns evokes the Charente River in
Cognac.

 

Taking inspiration from the different blends, Qiu has created three distinct works of art
to dress each of the Hennessy bottles:

CNY25 VSOP 1

 

 

 

The V.S.O.P edition is, as described by Qiu, ‘youthful
and energetic’, covered in red vibrant floral motifs,
alongside a combination of plaid and abstract snake
scale silhouettes, symbolising renewal and legacy. A
blend of four distinct Shuting Qiu-designed patterns
featuring traditional motifs and an abstract representation
of the snake weaves through it. Qiu has
used embossing techniques on the gift box to create
texture, mirroring how she creates texture with sequins
and glitter in her fabric designs.

The X.O edition is bold and dynamic with rich
shades of red, gold and blue, featuring
lozenge shapes inspired by traditional
Chinese motifs and a gold cork. Shuting Qiu’s
interpretation of transformation and renewal
is reflected in the embossed snake design,
which glides across the print. Its recyclable
giftbox features an embossed blend of
patterns with an almost fabric like texture.

 

 

CNY25 XO 1

CNY25 Paradis 2

 

 

 

The exclusive limited-edition Paradis is transformed
into a vibrant red masterpiece in honor of the Year
of the Snake. The sculptural snake design is more
abstract and poetic, and embodies elegance and
luxury, by representing a prosperous pursuit towards
newness and paying tribute to the timeless
elegance of Hennessy Paradis. The bottle has a
leather collar, with a soft-to-the-touch-graphic motif
hinting at the awakening of spring, inspired by the
rebirth of a graceful snake shedding its skin.

All are perfect as either a gift during the festive season, or to enjoy whilst seeing in the
new year with friends and family – perhaps served over ice and paired with food, or
as part of celebratory New Year cocktails such as “The Snake’ (recipe in notes to
editors). The carafes even work as a centrepiece in the home.

 

Says Shuting Qiu about the collaboration: “Hennessy has given me an opportunity to
share my ideas and vision with the world, which is an incredible platform for me, as a
young Chinese designer. The Hennessy carafes are classics, and this is similar to fashion
in that every brand has its classic silhouettes, unique designs and colors. My family and
I often drink Hennessy during Chinese New Year, and my friends drink it when we hang
out - it’s a great versatile drink, but my favourite way to drink it is simply over ice”.

 

Growing up in Hangzhou, Shuting Qiu attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in
Antwerp, living in Belgium for five years before returning to China. She credits her time
there as having a big influence on work, fusing Chinese and Western elements.

 

CEO of Hennessy Laurent Boillot added; “Hennessy has a long-lasting connection with
Chinese culture, grounded in 164 years of shared history, also made of rich artistical
collaboration. And it is a great pleasure to welcome Shuting Qiu to embody the spirit
with which we usher Chinese New Year festivities. Her designs epitomize a harmonious
fusion of tradition and contemporary flair, offering with elegance a fitting homage to
our common cultural heritage.”

 

Hennessy Chinese New Year limited-edition bottles will be available at selected retail
stores in Hong Kong and Macau from December. Embrace the festive spirit and raise
a glass to a year filled with abundance and prosperity.

 

Follow the Hennessy website and social media for the latest updates.
Website: http://hk.hennessy.com/ http://hennessy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HennessyHK


 

For media enquiries, please contact the press office team:

PURPLE
  Martha ChowTel:   +852 9763 7987      Email: martha.chow@purplepr.com
  Casey HoTel:           +852 6857 2237      Email: casey.ho@purplepr.com
  Bernice ChanTel:   +852 9825 3660      Email: bernice.chan@purplepr.com
  Sonia YuTel:            +852 6778 5530      Email: sonia.yu@purplepr.com

MOËT HENNESSY DIAGEO HONG KONG & MACAU LTD
  Tracy Chan              Email: tracy.chan@mhdhk.com
  Dekki Lai                  Email: dlai@mhdhk.com


 

“The Snake” Cocktail Recipe
45 ml Hennessy V.S.O.P
20 ml Honey Syrup
30 ml Ginger juice
15ml Fresh lemon juice
2 dash ginger bitters
Garnish: Lemon twist
Method: add all ingredients to shaker tin with ice, shake to chill, strain into a rocks
glass, garnish with a lemon twist

 

ABOUT HENNESSY
Founded on Richard Hennessy's pioneering spirit and with a legacy of over 250 years,
the brand spans over 160 countries, but remains rooted in the Charente region in
France. Beyond its iconic cognacs, Hennessy embraces cultural collaborations,
evidenced through its many partnerships with visionary artists from around the world.
Over the years, Hennessy has worked with cultural icons in design, art, fashion and
music to celebrate a diverse range of creativity to reflect the multi-faceted nature of
the brand and to bring to life the Hennessy cognac’s versatility.

 

ABOUT SHUTING QIU
Shuting Qiu graduated with an MA and BA in Fashion from the Royal Academy in
Antwerp. The brand conveys a signature sense of femininity that features a “modern
romantic” woman, powerful and independent while maintaining her soft identity. The
SHUTING QIU woman dares to express herself with asymmetry and experimentation in
silhouettes, often resulting in rich contrasting colors of silk jacquards, intricate
embroideries, and juxtapositions of linear and floral prints.
Currently based in Shanghai, the Chinese-born designer constantly finds inspiration in
art, literature, cinema and travel. Shuting’s creations pay homage to the free,
romantic and neurotic spirit of heroines such as Virginia Woolf and Pina Bausch.

 

Website: https://shuting-qiu.com/
IG: @shutingqiu