Hennessy names eighth generation master blender

Cognac house Hennessy has named Renaud Fillioux de Gironde as its eighth generation master blender, taking over from Yann Fillioux.

Renaud Fillioux de Gironde has taken over from his uncle, Yann Fillioux, as master blender for Hennessy Cognac

Fillioux de Gironde, aged 39, recently completed a lengthy apprenticeship under his uncle, meaning his family’s Hennessy master blender lineage continues after more than 200 years.

Cognac born Fillioux de Gironde previously acted as Hennessy’s winegrower relations manager. In his capacity as master blender, he will lead the brand’s tasting committee, a multi-generational group that selects eaux-de-vie through daily tastings.

“As CEO and president of Hennessy, my obsession is to guarantee the excellence of Hennessy Cognacs just as my predecessors have done,” said Bernard Peillon. “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.”

Hennessy claims that Fillioux de Gironde “embodies the new generation of master blenders in Cognac”, with knowledge of the “first hand issues winegrowers and wine-growing regions face”.

“I am very honoured that Hennessy has entrusted me with this mission and I am also conscious of the responsibility I have been given as the eighth generation of master mlenders in the Fillioux family,” said Fillioux de Gironde.

Earlier this year, Hennessy’s parent company reported that its Cognac volumes had increased 16% in the first half of 2017.