Behind the Craft of Hennessy’s Cooperage

Step inside Maison Hennessy’s working cooperage, where centuries-old barrel-making shapes every cognac, in an award-winning cultural experience…

Hennessy is one of the only major cognac houses still making some of its own barrels in-house, and now you can meet the skilled coopers on a tour of the maison’s tonnellerie. Launched just 18 months ago, the Destination Cooperage private tour – one of several memorable experiences offered by Hennessy in Cognac – opens the doors to the cognac house’s working cooperage, offering rare access to the craft that underpins the ageing of every drop of eau-de-vie. The tour has already secured one of wine tourism’s most coveted distinctions, taking the top Best of Wine Tourism award in the Art & Culture category in November 2025.

Award-winning experience

The accolade, presented in Bordeaux by the Great Wine Capitals network, recognises initiatives that go beyond standard tastings to offer a deeper cultural experience – and Destination Cooperage does exactly that. It opens up the making and maintenance of the oak barrels in which cognac ages and offers the chance to spend a fascinating hour with these expert artisan coopers.

Founded 260 years ago, Hennessy is one of the few major cognac houses still to produce some of its own barrels entirely by hand. Each one takes a full day to make, using traditional tools passed down from generation to generation. The barrels are made with oak and reeds and use no nails or glue, but rather flour mixed with water to waterproof the cask. Visitors can watch as skilled craftsmen bend staves, raise barrels and tend to those already in service, revealing a continuum of care that extends from the forest to the cellar.

During the tour, you will come to understand the role of the barrel. Before it ever forms part of a blend, an eau-de-vie must spend years in French oak, slowly exchanging colour and flavour with the wood. The barrel is not just a vessel: it shapes the structure, aroma and depth of the cognac over time. This expertise is recognised at the highest level. The Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label, awarded to Hennessy in 2024 by the French Ministry of the Economy, distinguishes companies which demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship rooted in heritage.

As part of Destination Cooperage, guests also cross the Charente to explore historic ageing cellars, where rows of casks rest in cool, dim light. Here, the slow transformation of eaux-de-vie continues, along with the natural evaporation known as the ‘angels’ share’. Also included is a special visit to the fabled Paradis cellar, where some of the house’s oldest eaux-de-vie are kept, a space rarely opened to the public.

A taste of heritage

No visit to Hennessy would be complete without a tasting, of course. The tour finishes with a sample of two eaux-de-vie alongside Hennessy X.O, served neat and in a cocktail, with gourmet macarons and a chance to learn about the 11am daily ritual of Hennessy’s Tasting Committee. It is the perfect way to connect what you have seen in the workshop with what ends up in the glass.

The annual Best of Wine Tourism awards span 12 major wine regions worldwide, from Nouvelle-Aquitaine to Rioja to the Napa Valley. What set Destination Cooperage apart was its access to a centuries-old working craft that has been preserved over time, and that is usually kept behind closed doors. In doing so, it offers a clearer understanding of the art of making cognac-and of the artisans and materials that shape it.

TOUR ITINERARY

Destination Cooperage lasts two hours and includes a tasting of two eaux-de-vie and Hennessy X.O (neat and in a cocktail), served with two macarons. Available in English, French, Spanish and Chinese. It is a private tour available by request for a minimum of two people. The cost is €170 pp.

hennessy.com | +33 (0)5 45 35 06 44.

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Lead photo credit : Barrique Hennessy ©Jas Hennessy & Co, Benoit Lapray Extreme