hennessy
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Hennessy, the world’s largest producer of cognac, now finds itself in the middle of a trade dispute that sparked a strike among the brand’s workers in France. Earlier this week, Hennessy factory staff organized a mass walkout strike to protest a proposed move to shift the bottling of the brandy from France to China.
By way of a New York Times report, Hennessy unveiled plans of bottling its prized product in China to offset the costs of import tariffs, with France’s President Emmanuel Macron requesting of China’s President Xi Jinping to end the tariffs. As the news broke regarding the bottling move, around 500 workers at the company’s factory in southwestern France walked off, which makes up half of its workforce. Thus far, the strike has gone on for two days since beginning this past Tuesday (November 21).
China has imposed tariffs on European brandy, a category cognac does fall under, and the country is one of Hennessy’s top markets. The plan to move the bottling operation is to save the company costs by not paying the hefty tariffs. The tariffs imposed by China are likely in response to the European Union voting to levy higher tariffs on electric vehicles produced by China with France being the leading voice in that charge. Conversely, the European brandy tariffs will deeply affect any brandies made in France.
The strike has spread to other cognac producers, collectively known as the Big Four, which include Martell, Rémy Martin, and Courvoisier. The quartet produces much of the cognac consumed globally. Hennessy says it has no plans to move its entire production to China and will test out the program by sending distilled cognac in vats to bottle there and thus bypassing the brandy tariffs.
The strike has the potential to run longer than a week as both sides continue to hammer down a day to discuss the matter between management and the workers.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Micaiah Carter For Hennessy / Micaiah Carter For Hennessy
The culture’s most beloved cognac is looking to shake up its public perception. Hennessy has teamed up with Teyana Taylor and Damson Idris for a new campaign.
Source: Micaiah Carter For Hennessy / Micaiah Carter For Hennessy
As spotted on Hype Beast the spirits brand aims to build on its legacy. Earlier this week they announced a new campaigned titled “Made For More” which is a lighter and brighter reintroduction to the Madison. To bring the narrative to life they tapped into model and musician Teyana Taylor and British Nigerian actor Damson Idris. The project features five off-beat mixing films which are accompanied by five signature cocktail recipes.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5oBx1Js47j/
Teyana Taylor expressed her enthusiasm about the campaign saying “One time, for the love of all things anew, and we all love new things. With that being said, I’m super excited to embark upon this journey with my favorite Cognac, Hennessy. Destination: fresh, bright, and invigorating, like any good cocktail should be.” For Damson the partnership means more than just cocktails. “When I think of Hennessy I think of my three older brothers, I think of amazing memories. The visuals are stylish, the films are fun, it’s magic. It’s cinema” he said.
The Hennessy campaign will be brought to life via dedicated spaces at music festivals throughout the season. You can read more about “Made For More” and the cocktails here.
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Source: Hennessy / Hennessy
Along with Hip-Hop, Nas also turned 50 years old this year and the rapper teamed with Hennessy to celebrate the milestone with a party that featured a gang of high-profile guests including Kendrick Lamar, Diddy, Fat Joe and more.
The festivities went down at The Grill in New York City and featured Nas being presented with a sculpture from artists Kennedy Yanko that was commissioned by Hennessy. The copper sculpture was partially inspired by Nas’ collab with Hennessy on his special 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop Hennessy V.S. bottle.
At the party, the music was in the best of hands with DJ Jazzy Jeff on the turntables and The Roots holding down the stage. In attendance was a who’s who of Hip-Hop and R&B celebrities including Mary J. Blige, NORE, DJ Premier, The Lox,Havoc, AZ, Raekwon, Slick Rick, Q-Tip, Ralph McDaniels, and more. Oh yeah, former NBA star Carmelo Anthony and actor Robert DeNiro were there, too.
Also, you know you’re solid when Raekwon takes time to big you up on your born day.
Check photos from the party in the gallery.
1. Nas x Hennessy 50th birthday party
Source:Hennessy
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3. Nas x Hennessy 50th birthday party
Source:Hennessy
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4. Nas x Hennessy 50th birthday party
Source:Hennessy
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5. Nas x Hennessy 50th birthday party
Source:Hennessy
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6. Nas x Hennessy 50th birthday party
Source:Hennessy
Nas x Hennessy 50th birthday party nas x hennessy 50th birthday party
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Source: Roberto Ricciuti / Getty
For the past few decades, Hennessy has unintentionally become the official alcoholic drink of the Hip-Hop culture. So it was only right that an Hip-Hop icon like Nas would become a spokesman for what is considered the most popular cognac in the culture.
Looking to get in on the celebration of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary, Hennessy has announced that it will team up with the Nas aka the Queensbridge king to release an exclusive V.S. bottle that pays homage to arguably the most popular culture and music genre in the world. According to Hypebeast, the new must-have Hip-Hop inspired Hennessy bottle will be available for purchase this coming July, and you best believe these joints will be a hot commodity, especially around Queens.
Hypebeast reports:
The duo’s limited-edition Hennessy bottle is a love letter to hip-hop and is portrayed with a hand-written note by Nas. The aged label boasts trademark branding and Nas’ face alongside orange, white, and black splotches. Finally, the boxed packaging dons spirited “HenNASsy” lettering with NYC-inspired graffiti art accents.
We. Needs.
While collectors will no doubt purchase a few of these and maybe crack one open for enjoyment, we doubt you’ll see any of these joints just laying around the block after its contents have been consumed like the average empty bottle of Henny. Hip-Hop Hennessy heads are going to cherish this joint. Hennessy should go all the way with it and drop shirts and other merchandise with this. Just sayin’.
Check out Hennessy’s announcement tweets below and let us know if you’ll be picking up a bottle of “HenNASsy” in the comments section below.
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