There are several cognac brands, but Remy Martin and Hennessy carry the day. Both drinks have won over the hearts of many and left their marks on the history of high-end alcoholic beverages due to their high quality.
Despite sharing some similarities, these cognac brands have notable differences. So, buckle up and get ready to explore the differences between Remy Martin and Hennessy.
Differences Between Remy Martin and Hennessy
Remy Martin and Hennessy’s main differences are their history, taste and aroma, ingredients, production methods, cocktail application, product range, and price.
History
Remy Martin is one of the oldest cognacs in the Grande Champagne region, with a rich history dating back to 1724.
Remy Martin originally founded this brand. After his death, his grandsons continued expanding the business and achieved great success in 1841 under Paul-Emile-Remy Martin’s management.
On the other hand, Hennessy was founded in 1765 by a military officer known as Richard Hennessy. Unfortunately, he passed on in 1801, but his son James took over the business, making it a popular and respected cognac house.
Taste and Aroma
Cognac is popular for its complex flavor profile. Remy Martin features a strong fruity flavor with hints of flowers, ripe fruits, and mild spices. Its aroma is rich with hints of vanilla, fruit, and honey. Most people who have tasted the drink claim it smells like baked apples.
In contrast, Hennessy has a buttery, floral, fruity, spicy, and woody taste. The aroma is delicate, with hints of honey, chocolate, hazelnuts, and almonds.
Ingredients
Cognacs are usually made with grapes, unlike other alcoholic drinks like whiskey, which is made from barley. Nevertheless, different brands use different types of grapes to make these drinks.
For instance, Remy Martin is made with grapes grown in Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne. Grapes from these regions are high-quality leading, resulting in premium cognac. Conversely, Hennessy is produced from grapes in the Charente region of France.
Production Method
Remy Martin and Hennessy production begin with grape harvesting. After that, the grapes are pressed to produce a white wine which is later fermented and distilled.
Both brands normally use copper pot stills, designed to preserve the wine’s flavor for distillation. This process is usually done twice, with the second distillation focusing on impurity separation and maintaining the purest aromas and tastes. After that, the wine is placed in oak barrels for aging, which may take years.
The difference in production for these two brands usually comes in the type of oak barrels they use for aging their wine. Remy Martin mainly uses Limousin oak, while Hennessy incorporates a mixture of Limousin oak, Tronçais oak, and occasionally American oak.
Cocktail Application
Remy Martin and Hennessy are suitable for cocktail preparation, making your drink classy and allowing you to get tipsy at a lower cost. The brand you choose depends on your preferences and your desired taste profile.
Hennessy is renowned for being strong and full-bodied, with undertones of spices, oak, vanilla, and dried fruit. This makes it suitable for preparing different cocktails, including modern and traditional recipes.
Hennessy’s bold flavor also gives cocktails more depth and complexity, especially if you need a strong cocktail with a pronounced cognac influence.
Conversely, Remy Martin is popularly known for its elegance and smoothness. With a buttery, floral, fruity, spicy, and woody taste, it’s typically used for cocktails that call for a lighter touch. It lets the other ingredients stand out while adding to a balanced, well-rounded drink.
Product Range
If you want to buy a bottle of Remy Martin or Hennessy, you’ll be spoilt for choices. Both brands offer different cognac types with unique flavor profiles for different personalities and occasions.
Here are the types of cognacs offered by Hennessy:
- Hennessy VSOP- VSOP is an abbreviation that stands for “Very Superior Old Pale.” This type of cognac usually stays in the cellar for about 15 years, enhancing its overall taste. It’s an ideal choice for people who prefer smooth, mellow cognac.
- Hennessy Paradis- If you’re looking for something stronger than VSOP that can make you tipsy quickly, Hennessy Paradis is the best option. This cognac has a bolder taste since it has aged up to 100 years. It represents craftsmanship, elegance, and exceptional quality.
- Hennessy XO- ” XO ” stands for “extra old.” Hennessy XO is a combination of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne grape extracts. This cognac typically ages in the cellar for over 30 years before it’s bottled, resulting in remarkable depth and complexity.
Examples of Remy Martin cognacs include:
- VSOP- VSOP Is one of the best beginner-friendly Remy Martin Cognac in the market. The best thing about this drink is that it’s versatile. You can take it plain or mix it with water, but it tastes better when used to make a cocktail.
- XO- Remy Martin XO is prepared by mixing Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne grape extracts. This cognac is normally allowed to age for approximately 20 years, resulting in a more pronounced and complex taste.
- Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac- Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac is undoubtedly the best Remy Martin Cognac. It features more than 1200 grape extracts, some of which are over 100 years old, resulting in exceptional complexity, depth, and elegance.
Price
Cognac tends to be more expensive compared to other alcoholic drinks like whiskey. Nevertheless, different brands like Remy Martin and Hennessy have different prices. Generally, Hennessy is slightly more expensive than Remy Martin due to the quality of the product.
For instance, a 750ml Hennessy bottle goes for approximately $50 to $1500, depending on where you buy it and the age of the product. Limited editions like Hennessy Richard may go up to $5500. On the other hand, a 750ml Remy Martin bottle costs between $45 to $1000.
Remy Martin vs Hennessy Comparison Table
Here is a short comparison table for Remy Martin and Hennessy.
| Aspect | Remy Martin | Hennessy |
|---|---|---|
| Production area | Cognac, France | Cognac, France |
| Age Classification | VS, VSOP, XO, Louis XIII | VS, VSOP, XO, Paradis, Richard Hennessy |
| Year founded | 1724 | 1765 |
| Taste | Strong fruity flavor with hints of flowers, ripe fruits, and mild spices | Buttery, floral, fruity, spicy, and woody. |
| Ingredients | Grapes from Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne vineyards | Grapes from the Charente region of France |
| Prestigious Expressions | Louis XIII | Paradis, Richard Hennessy |
| Price for 750ml bottle | $50-$1500 | $45-$1000 |
Conclusion
Remy Martin and Hennessy are quality cognacs that can help you unwind after a long stressful day. Typically, the brand you choose depends on your preference and mood.
Remy Martin is ideal if you’re looking for a smooth, mellow drink that pairs well with food and is still fantastic on its own. However, Hennessy will be the best choice if you want something strong.
