With the launch of three ready-to-serve cocktails in the United States, House of Hennessy is marking one of the boldest strategic shifts in its history: making cognac more accessible without compromising its heritage. Charles Delapalme, at the helm of the house, explains his vision.
The intention is to start a new chapter and reach out to a different clientele.
Charles Delapalme, CEO of Hennessy
For a house whose history dates back to 1765, certain decisions carry the weight of a manifesto. On June 1, Hennessy unveiled a collection of three ready-to-serve cognac-based cocktails in the United States: Henny-Rita, Henny Berry, and Henny Iced Tea, created by master blender Renaud Fillioux de Gironde. Behind this launch lies a major strategic shift. For the first time in over 250 years, the Cognac house is marketing a ready-to-drink product under its own brand.
Charles Delapalme, who has been at the helm of Hennessy for the past year, is well aware of the symbolic significance of this decision. After two decades in the fashion world with the LVMH group, he has arrived at a house in which the relationship with time, tradition, and excellence follows radically different rules.
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An Industry Under Pressure
In the luxury sector, innovation is often associated with technology or design. At Hennessy, it draws primarily on the brand’s rich history. “Being a house with a 261-year heritage means drawing on the richness of the past to invent the future,” explains Charles Delapalme.
This vision informs the current strategy. Because its roots are deeply embedded in the global collective imagination, Hennessy enjoys a rare freedom: the freedom to explore new territories without risking the dilution of its identity.
The house benefits from exceptional strength. Present in more than 150 countries, it ranks among the fifteen best-known French brands internationally. Yet, unlike other luxury giants, its growth has long been built with relative discretion.
“Today we want to speak up again and shed more light on the house’s exceptional history,” affirms Hennessy’s CEO. This desire for increased visibility comes amid a complex landscape for the entire spirits sector.
Spring 2026 confirms the challenges faced by major spirits houses. After several years of exceptional post-pandemic growth, markets are slowing down. In the United States, the world’s largest market for cognac, inflation continues to weigh on consumption. Trade tensions and additional tariffs are also affecting the sector’s economic balance.
China, historically the second-largest driver of growth, is experiencing an economic slowdown that has been impacting spending on luxury goods for months. In many regions around the world, consumers are becoming more cautious in their purchases, including in the premium categories.
In light of this situation, Hennessy is prioritizing a long-term vision. “Faced with increased tariffs in the U.S. market, we have adopted a long-term approach, choosing to wait rather than raise the final price. Our prices have remained stable. Our U.S. customers are already feeling the impact of rising inflation; we want to invest in a lasting relationship with consumers.”
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