Why Is Hennessy Pure White Illegal? Hennessy Pure White is a type of cognac that is made without any added coloring. Many people are not aware that the popular liquor brand Hennessy has an illegal variant known as Pure White. Many people are familiar with the popular cognac brand Hennessy, but fewer are aware of its “illegal” variant known as Hennessy Pure White. So what makes this particular cognac so special—and illegal? Let’s take a closer look.
Hennessy Cognac
Hennessy Cognac is a type of brandy, a spirit distilled from fermented fruit juice. It has been crafted by the House of Hennessy since 1765 and is now recognized as one of the world’s finest and most prestigious cognacs. The House of Hennessy produces four distinct varieties – VS, VSOP, XO, and Paradise – each with different blending techniques to create complex tasting notes unique to the particular blend.
The VS expression is made up of 40 different Eaux-de-vie, matured for between two and eight years in French oak barrels. This blend delivers aromas of fruity notes including citrus, pear, white blossom, and fresh grapes alongside sweet gingerbread spice on the palate.
The VSOP expression fuses up to 60 Eaux-de-vie aged four to fifteen years resulting in harmonious aromas with additional dried fruits such as apricot and fig as well as woody notes provided by the aging process.
Hennessy XO offers an intense experience with its blend of more than 100 Eaux-de-vie aged up to 37 years old consisting of fruity and spicy characteristics ranging from cocoa beans to figs or bananas. Hennessy’s Paradise expression is made up of very old Eaux-de-vies aged 30 to 130 years; these are blended together with extreme precision by their Cellar Master Renaud Fillioux de Gironde creating a cognac that offers delicate floral aromas accompanied by smoky chocolate flavors and hints of roasted coffee combined with honeyed sweetness on the palate.
Hennessy Cognac is still produced using traditional methods under detailed family recipes that have been passed down for generations. In this way it has maintained its high standards throughout its long history, adding immensely to its ever-increasing global appeal; making it one of the most popular spirits enjoyed around the world today.
Pure White
Hennessy Cognac is renowned for its distinctively pure, bright color. The company carefully selects Ugni Blanc grapes that lend a clear and well-balanced flavor to each bottle of Cognac they produce. This white varietal is known specifically for its inherent brightness, which shines through in the final product thanks to Hennessy’s meticulous blending process.
Each bottle of Hennessy Cognac is aged at least two and a half years in Limousin oak barrels, allowing the liquid to mellow and develop flavor without losing its natural hue.
The unique combination of grape varietal and maturation processes gives Hennessy its signature bright pale gold shade. The Maison has been refining these blends since 1765 when it first opened as a small distillery in the town of Cognac in France’s Charente region.
Even today, Hennessy still combines traditional techniques with modern technologies to craft their smooth and refined Cognacs. Each batch is crafted to focus on maintaining its signature taste while also preserving the pure whiteness of the drink.
Hennessy Cognac stands out among other spirits due to its commitment to using only quality ingredients throughout production, such as those Ugni Blanc grapes that give it its distinctive clarity.
But it is not just about the grapes – this spirit has also been praised for its careful blending process that results in a balanced combination of aromas that are further enhanced through barrel aging without taking away from the natural light hue of the liquid. It is this attention to detail that makes Hennessy cognac so particularly sought after by connoisseurs around the world, truly embodying what it means for a spirit to be ‘pure white’.
Why Is Hennessy Pure White Illegal?
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
Hennessy Pure White is made from a blend of Eaux-de-vie that are between two and seven years old. These Eaux-de-vie are then aged in stainless steel tanks for six to eight weeks. The final product is a clear cognac that has a very light flavor.
In the United States, however, all cognacs must be aged for a minimum of two years in oak barrels before they can be sold. The reasoning behind this requirement is that cognacs that are aged for a longer period of time tend to have a smoother flavor.
Hennessy has attempted to get approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to sell Hennessy Pure White in the United States on several occasions, but they have been unsuccessful. In 2016, Hennessy even submitted a petition to have the aging requirements for cognac changed, but their request was denied.
Not Meet U.S. food safety standards
While that may be true, there is also another reason why Hennessy Pure White is no longer available: it does not meet U.S. food safety standards. That’s because Pure White is produced using a process known as fractional distillation, which results in a final product that is more than 80% alcohol by volume (ABV). Under U.S. law, any spirit with an ABV of more than 80% is considered “unfit for human consumption” and therefore cannot be sold commercially.
So while you may be able to find a bottle of Hennessy Pure White if you look hard enough, don’t expect to find it on store shelves anytime soon. And if you do come across a bottle, be sure to enjoy it responsibly!
Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897
It is technically illegal in the United States. The reason for this has to do with the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. This Act requires that all distilled spirits be aged for a minimum of four years in order to be sold in the United States. Since Hennessy Pure White is only aged for three years, it cannot be legally sold in America.
Despite its illegality, Hennessy Pure White can still be found in some liquor stores and bars across the country. However, because it is not a regulated product, there is no guarantee of its quality or authenticity. So if you do come across a bottle of Hennessy Pure White, enjoy it at your own risk!
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Conclusion
Hennessy Pure White is a type of cognac that does not meet the minimum aging requirements for cognacs that are sold in the United States. The main reason for this is that Hennessy Pure White is made without any added coloring and it is aged in stainless steel tanks for six to eight weeks, which is not long enough to meet the two-year requirement. While Hennessy has tried on several occasions to get approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to sell Hennessy Pure White in the United States, they have been unsuccessful.
Hennessy Pure White was once a popular liquor choice in the United States but is now illegal due to its high alcohol content. While you may be able to find a bottle if you look hard enough, it’s important to drink responsibly if you do come across one.
Hennessy Pure White is a delicious and unique cognac that many people enjoy despite its illegality in the United States. If you do choose to partake, just be aware that since it is an unregulated product, there is no guarantee of its quality or authenticity. Cheers!
