Last week Hennessy partnered with the French Embassy to welcome the 18^th century replica of the vessel the Hermione in Mt. Vernon, VA. The original 1780 journey of the Hermione carried Cognac, and in honor of the 250th anniversary of Hennessy, founding patron of the 2015 Hermione Voyage, two barrels of the recently released Hennessy 250 Collector Blend Cognac made the journey across the Atlantic.

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Antonin Scalia and Rodney Williams EVP spirits Moet Hennessy

As part of its voyage to the U.S., the 18th century replica of the Hermione arrived in Mt. Vernon, VA at the historic home of George Washington. There Antony Blinkin, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and Jeh Johnson, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, joined French Minister Segolene Royal and Hennessy Cognac for an official dinner to celebrate French-American relations.

CEO of Moet Hennessy, Christophe Navarre (left) and seventh-generation Hennessy Master Blender Yann Fillioux (right) join a toast with Hennessy 250 Collector Blend Cognac.

At Mt. Vernon, Bernard Peillon, Chairman and CEO, Hennessy Maison, presented the first barrel to its non-profit beneficiary, Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Seventh generation Hennessy Master Blender, Yann Fillioux, led guests through a special tasting of Hennessy 250 Collector Blend Cognac. The second barrel will be donated to charity in New York in July.

(Left to right) President & CEO of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Curt Viebranz; Chairman and CEO, Moet Hennessy Christophe Navarre; French Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, Chair of the French Hermione Lafayette National Committee 2015 Segolene Royal; U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken; Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association Barbara B. Lucas, at the Moët Hennessy Celebration of the Hermione Voyage 2015 at George Washington’s Mount Vernon

With only 250 barrels available worldwide, the rare offering represents the very best in craftsmanship and savoir faire. The Hennessy 250 Collector Blend is housed in a commemorative 1L bottle, with a suggested retail price of $600.