Hennessy has a long-standing relationship with African American culture, especially hip hop. It has been described as “synonymous with rap music and African Americans, who are the brand’s major consumers and advocates”. While music, especially the 2004 2Pac song “Hennessy” has been credited with popularising the drink, some historians have pointed to a much older relationship, which began when African American servicemen encountered cognac in France during World War I and World War II.
Hennessy has actively pursued this consumer group for decades. It targeted minority audiences as early as the 1950s, when it placed advertisements in African American magazines like Ebony and Jet, used African American models, and hired African American employees. By some estimates more than two thirds of Hennessy sold in the United States is consumed by African Americans. It is sometimes referred to as “Henny”.
Hennessy appears frequently in the lyrics of popular music, and by one estimate the words “Hennessy” or “cognac” are referenced in more than 1,000 songs.
Cognac is essentially distilled alcohol from grapes… think about using wine to make distilled alcohol. I’m not positive, but I think I t was originally a way monks thought they could preserve wine through distillation and reconstitute it back into wine at a later time, but turns out not to have worked like that. Once you boil off the alcohol and discard the mash, you don’t get the ‘wine’ part back.
It’s just a different base to ferment and distill into a hard spirit. Because it starts as a sweeter fruit than grains, like rye, wheat, or barley, it tends to have a sweeter flavor. It’s particularly nice as a warm drink in the winter, but a bit sweeter than bourbon.
I think I’d like to go with your answer. I’m pretty sure I had cognac and didn’t like it. In the context of this post I’m afraid I can only accept answers from black dudes, though.
Look…
I really like grape soda, watermelon and fried chicken. I have at least one of these things at home. If my friends come over, I offer them stuff I’m about to cook, drink etc. I am Caucasian…
Fuck whoever made these things a stereotype!
I had to explain myself more than enough to some of my friends.
It’s not about the food, it’s about the assumption.
If you have watermelon, friend chicken, and grape soda, and you offer it to people, you’re not a racist.
If you assume a black person would prefer watermelon, fried chicken, and grape soda, because that’s what black people like, that’s a form of racism.
If you avoid offering watermelon to your black friend, you’re being racist. Not because of the watermelon, but because when I said “your black friend” you thought of that one friend who is black that occupies the space in your memory as “your black friend.” It was a clever trick to catch you being racist, you racist.
But seriously, good food is delicious, and you should enjoy what you like. Share what you like with people, and find out what they like. Don’t make assumptions about anyone.
Is there a stereotype that I’m unfamiliar with?
Ya, Hennessey is associated with African Americans
Knowing nothing about Hennessy, should I ask why?
Wikipedia page
So French Cognac from the actual city of Cognac…
How does it taste? I mean stereotypes aside… Is it good? Maybe they can turn a blind eye if it’s really nice booze.
I enjoy it - it’s smoother and sweeter and and with a different fruitier flavor than whiskey while packing the same punch.
I own a bottle and sometimes sip on it or include it as an ingredient in a mixed drink or cooked meal.
I’d recommend trying it at least once if you already enjoy liquor
Thx for the description. I’ll try it.
Hennessy is to cognac what Smirnoff is to vodka, there are far, far better cognacs.
Look for the different grades - XO is the best one, apart from XXO but I’ve only seen that once
Special mention for Armagnac, you get some superb brands of that, all better than Hennessey
I’m sure there are, but who wants to twice as much for their first taste?
Cognac is essentially distilled alcohol from grapes… think about using wine to make distilled alcohol. I’m not positive, but I think I t was originally a way monks thought they could preserve wine through distillation and reconstitute it back into wine at a later time, but turns out not to have worked like that. Once you boil off the alcohol and discard the mash, you don’t get the ‘wine’ part back.
It’s just a different base to ferment and distill into a hard spirit. Because it starts as a sweeter fruit than grains, like rye, wheat, or barley, it tends to have a sweeter flavor. It’s particularly nice as a warm drink in the winter, but a bit sweeter than bourbon.
I’m not a cognac aficionado but I think it’s good
I don’t remember. It’s usually only brought out for celebrations where there’s lots of alcohol.
It’s cognac so… No.
I think I’d like to go with your answer. I’m pretty sure I had cognac and didn’t like it. In the context of this post I’m afraid I can only accept answers from black dudes, though.
I would recommend trying Pineau then. It’s cognac diluted with juice, it’s a lot softer you should like it
Hennessey is a Cognac that sells itself as high end. Hip hop bands would buy Hennessey as a sign they had made it when they got big.
If it’s anything like fried chicken or watermelon, I assume it’s because it tastes good.
I promise you it does not taste good
Its delicious. Idk I don’t blame anyone for liking it
Look… I really like grape soda, watermelon and fried chicken. I have at least one of these things at home. If my friends come over, I offer them stuff I’m about to cook, drink etc. I am Caucasian…
Fuck whoever made these things a stereotype! I had to explain myself more than enough to some of my friends.
It’s not about the food, it’s about the assumption.
If you have watermelon, friend chicken, and grape soda, and you offer it to people, you’re not a racist.
If you assume a black person would prefer watermelon, fried chicken, and grape soda, because that’s what black people like, that’s a form of racism.
If you avoid offering watermelon to your black friend, you’re being racist. Not because of the watermelon, but because when I said “your black friend” you thought of that one friend who is black that occupies the space in your memory as “your black friend.” It was a clever trick to catch you being racist, you racist.
But seriously, good food is delicious, and you should enjoy what you like. Share what you like with people, and find out what they like. Don’t make assumptions about anyone.
Exactly my point. I just offer my foods and drinks to my friends and some of my guys keep nagging me when I offer it. It’s just so stupid…
It’s also associated with literally everyone else who drinks. This is a weird one.
Are you not American? In the US it’s a well known thing.
Maybe to some, but certainly not everyone.
Some people aren’t