Memory: Hennessy Names Renaud Fillioux de Gironde as its New Master Blender

Hennessy announced today that it had named Renaud Fillioux de Gironde as its New Master Blender. Monsieur Fillioux de Gironde will be the 8th generation Hennessy Master Blender. Renaud recently finishd his apprentice under his uncle, 7th generation Hennessy Master Blender, Yann Fillioux.

Renaud, a 39-year-old Cognac native, was the Winegrower Relations Manager at Hennessy and has studied under his uncle for the role of Master Blender for more than fifteen years. The Master Blender is an integral component of Cognac production. The Master Blender is responsible for blending and aging the various eaux-de-vie. Blending eaux de vie is a painstaking and life-learned process that involves selecting the right ones and blending them in the perfect proportions. Renaud will lead the Hennessy Tasting Committe and conduct daily eaux-de-vie tastings designed to select the best eaux-de-vie for blending in the company’s Cognacs.

“I am very honored that Hennessy has entrusted me with this mission and I am also conscious of the responsibility I have been given as the 8th generation of Master Blenders in the Fillioux family,” says Renaud Fillioux de Gironde.

“As CEO and President of Hennessy, my obsession is to guarantee the excellence of Hennessy Cognacs just as my predecessors have done. After 15 years of preparation, Renaud, with the support of the experts of the Tasting Committee, is now a part of the Maison Hennessy’s future,” Bernard Peillon.

Hennessy has been drawing special attention and giving tribute to the role of the Master Blender. Last year, Hennessy released Hennessy 8, a tribute to eight generations of Master Blenders. This cognac, a joint creation of Renaud and Yann, paid homage to the Hennessy’s retiring seventh Master Blender as he prepared to over the position to Hennessy’s eighth Master Blender, Renaud Fillioux.

Later in 2016, Hennessy released Master Blender’s Selection N°1 . On release of Hennessy’s Master Blender’s Selection N°1 last fall, Hennessy created this video to highlight the craftsmanship of the master blender. Yann Fillioux and graphic artist CJ Hendry, who was commissioned to create the label for the Hennessy’s Master Blender’s Selection N°1 bottle, are featured in the video discussing their respective crafts.

Hennessy presents: Master Blender’s Selection N°1

Hennessy has promised a Master Blend Selection 2. Master Blender’s Selection Nº2 will be the first Master Blenders cognac release with Renaud Fillioux de Gironde in his new role. No date has been set for it release, yet Hennessy assures its customers that “in years to come, a new blend, the Selection Nº2 will possess its own unique character, born of the same superlative craftsmanship that defines Hennessy.”