In the US, the price for one bottle of Hennessy Pure White ranges between $100 to $300. On average, you'll have to pay around $150 to $200. That's the same price segment as Hennessy XO.
The price is so high because the brand Hennessy doesn't sell and promote the cognac in the US. Hence, the only bottles you can buy online or in stores are imported from the Caribbean. Of course, this is reflected in the price.
In reality, the Pure White expression isn't that expensive. The RRP for a bottle of Hennessy Pure White in the Caribbean ranges between $40 - $50 per bottle. But in the US, it's super hard to get.
Hennessy Pure White Fact sheet
- Produced by: Maison Hennessy
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- RRP: $40 (only in the Caribbean)
- Bottle size: 700ml
- Price in the US: $150 (see more)
- Age: Blend of Eaux-de-vie from 2 to 50 years (see more)
- Classification: none, considered as VS or VSOP (see more)
- Color: Light honey to glowing yellow
- Aroma: Floral (see more)
- Taste: Fruity and floral (in-depth description)
What is Hennessy Pure White?
Hennessy Pure White Cognac is a fresh, light, fruity, and floral Cognac. It is excellent for sipping or combined with a mixer. Only make sure your mixer of choice respects the elegant and light aromas.
Hennessy White is one of the rarer Cognacs. If you were to get your hands on it at the RRP, give it a try and consider yourself lucky.
Also, this release is not actively marketed and sold in the US. You can get Henny White in the factory store in Fins Bois (Cognac), France, and selected stores in Barbados and the Bahamas only.
I will give you an in-detail review of the appearance, aromas, flavors, price, taste, and where to get it - so you can get an idea of what to expect from Hennessy pure white.
Shops that sell White Hennessy
As it is sometimes hard to find shops that sell this Cognac, here's a list of shops that currently offer it at a fair price.
- Frootbat.com - Lewes, DE - ($189 for 700ml bottle)
- Continental Wine & Spirits - Fresh Meadows, NY - ($199 for 700ml)
- Flask Fine Wine & Whiskey - Los Angeles, CA - ($229 for 700ml)
- Cana Wine Company - Nashville, TN - ($259 for 700ml)
- Hop, Cask, & Barrel - Washington, DC ($279 for 700ml)
How long is it aged?
Hennessy Pure White is blended from a large variety of Cognacs aged between two and 50 years. Sadly, Hennessy does not tell the ratios applied in this blend.
That makes it impossible to define an age for the Pure White expression. But looking at the flavors and quality of the Cognac, one could categorize it as either VS (aging for min. two years) or VSOP (aging for min. four years).
Why is Pure White Hennessy Illegal in the U.S.?
Technically, Hennessy Pure White is not illegal in the U.S. However, the house of Hennessy was never marketed and sold in the US. Until today, Hennessy never provided a reason why they do not sell it in the United States.
Still, some people claim that cognac is illegal. But why? Well, it's quite hard to get your hands on a bottle of Hennessy because the brand does not sell it. The only way to get a bottle is to buy it from an importer. This is possible, albeit at a higher price, and proves that Pure White Hennessy is not illegal.
Hennessy Pure White Review
Hennessy Pure White is a rare Cognac produced by the famous Cognac dynasty founded by Richard Hennessy. Even if you find it online or in a liquor store, you'll have to pay a small fortune.
The reason is that the spirit is exclusively sold in the Caribbean. If you find a store that sells it in the US, they must have imported it. Consequently, it's more expensive. Be prepared to pay around $150 for a bottle, excluding taxes.
But let's talk about the actual Cognac. Henny Pure White is bottled at 40% alcohol by volume (ABV), 80 proof. It's sold in 700ml bottles in a clean, minimalistic bottle design with a screw top.
At first, this white expression from Hennessy doesn't look like a great product, and certainly not like a premium one. But then, after having the first few sips, you can't deny that this spirit has something special about it.
Plus, the screw top might look cheap, yet, it is far more practical than classic corks. Resealing is much easier and will preserve the contents better once you open the bottle.
Compared to regular Hennessy Cognac, Hennessy White is much smoother with less of an alcoholic bite. Served neat or on ice, the mellow and soft taste of this drink makes it an excellent sipper. The flavors are wee-balanced: it's sweet, floral, and slightly fruity. -Just like good Champagne.
First Impression & Color
Hennessy Pure White is an extravagant product with a unique and special character. The color ranges from light honey to a glowing yellow. Responsible for this is the unusual blend of a large variety of Eaux-de-vies.
Aroma
At first, you'll notice the typical rich scent of a strong Cognac. But in this case, the harsh notes are missing. Overall, the nose is pretty light and floral. Notes of fresh tropical fruit and blooming flowers create a delicate and gentle bouquet.
Taste
Hennessy Pure White is a light alcoholic beverage and tastes like a young Cognac. In no way comparable to the full-bodied flavor profile you usually get with aged Cognac.
The grapes used to produce this Cognac grow in the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne regions. After double-distilling the grape wine, it ages in French oak barrels to develop its delicate flavor profile.
The resulting floral and tropical aroma is followed by a long, light finish. The harshness of other products by the Hennessy brand is nearly completely absent. It shows a beautiful range of subtle aromas. A delicate sweetness complements the soft fruity flavors.
Why it's great
The Hennessy Pure White expression is a splendid Cognac for sipping but can also be used in light Brandy cocktails. Its smoothness and floral and fruity flavor profile make it an excellent fit for Cognac lovers and people new to this kind of spirit.
The biggest problem with it is the limited availability and the high price that comes with it. It's a great bottle to add to any collection, but the price point is definitely (too) high.
Again, Hennessy Pure White is a great Cognac; -It's just not worth a $200 price tag.
Final Verdict
Henny Pure White is a smooth and elegant Cognac without the typical harsh bite. The unique taste makes it a great sipper and an ideal ingredient for lighter Cognac cocktails.
If you can get it for $50 or less, it's easily worth it. However, if you have to pay $200 for a bottle, I recommend getting another product. At that price point, you can get much better bottles that have aged significantly longer.
For example, for a similar price, you can get a bottle of Hennessy X.O. This Cognac is the benchmark for all Hennessy products and a true premium product. Pricewise it's just a few bucks more and often available for around $175. -For me, this is the far better investment.
FAQs
Hennessy Pure White has a delicately sweet and smooth taste. Notes of fruit and flowers make for a light and tropical flavor.
To fully enjoy the flavors and aromas of Hennessy Pure White is best enjoyed neat on ice. This way, the delicate flavor profile and its smooth flavors are optimally highlighted.
The main difference between Pure White Hennessy vs regular Hennessy is that Pure White lacks the typical harsh bite. Pure White is exceptionally smooth with delicate aromas.
Yes, Hennessy Pure White is an exceptional mid-range Cognac. It's smooth with a unique taste. As all Hennessy Cognac, it's double-distilled and then aged in oak barrels.
Yes, you can buy Hennessy Pure White in the US. But only from independent importers. Hennessy decided not to market and sell it in the US directly.