'There’s a mystery behind the drink': I talked to 46 spirit enthusiasts about why folks love or hate Hennessy Pure White
'There’s a mystery behind the drink': I talked to 46 spirit enthusiasts about why folks love or hate Hennessy Pure White
It's hard to find, it's "easy" to drink and everyone has an opinion about it. Let's find out why people some type of way about the Henny Blanco.
I enjoy Hennessy Pure White.
That sentence, to some, is a controversial one. For others, the statement resonates with one’s appreciation for the “cognac.” Even calling it a cognac, to some, is controversial.
Before becoming an enthusiast, newsletter writer and spirit club creator, I consumed my libation like most folks in their 20s: for social lubricant, liquid therapy and an excuse to commune with friends after 5 p.m. on Friday.
But I can remember the first time I consumed Hennessy Pure White. It was at a house party in Oakland, hosted by my close friend Tiara, who had recently returned from one of those islands in the Caribbean.
What was so memorable about the moment wasn’t the taste of the cognac — although it was delicious — it was the revelation of how many bottles she procured.
“Oh, I bought a case,” she said proudly.
Excuse me? Why does one need 12 bottles of Henny?
“They’re not all for me. I’ll keep 2-3. 2-3 are for some friends who made requests, and I’ll probably sell the others for double. But for you, I’ll sell it for what I paid for it. $40.”
This was all new to me, as I had no idea there was such demand for the product. Yet, after a couple of sips, I began to understand how dangerously delicious the “HPW” could be.
Over nearly a decade, I've procured my fair share of HPW bottles. I've also increased my knowledge and understanding of cognac and other barreled spirits. One thing I've come to understand about Henny Pure White is that its lighter color and lower proof (80) make it very palatable for the drinker.
Those characteristics were an immediate turnoff for those more seasoned in the game. Aficionados whose opinions on spirits I trust sneered their nose at Henny White.
“It’s not even cognac.”
“It’s not good cognac.”
“It’s not worth the money.”
Again, this was new to me, that there was a real blowback on this hard-to-acquire bottle, priced like a pair of secondary market sneakers. What about my taste buds and sensibilities that don’t find alignment with the veterans in the game?
This project aimed to get more information and perspective as to why Hennessy Pure White generated such divisive opinions. Therefore, I surveyed and interviewed 46 people who were members of various whiskey and spirits clubs across the country. I intentionally selected clubs with high membership with people of color and women. Reason being? I don't find this to be such a divisive topic among my white friends who sip cognac. (Consensus? Either they seem to enjoy it just fine, or they've never heard of it.)
Here are the results from my interviewing and surveying.
(Editor’s note: The clubs I solicited for feedback include Brown Liquor Collective, an organization I founded. Other groups include Black Bourbon Society, Divine 9 Bourbon and Whiskey Association and Women Who Whiskey.)
How do you acquire Hennessy Pure White?
Hennessy Pure White is not sold in the United States. Hennessy has never given a rationale as to why, but the product is widely available in the Caribbean and Central America.
This was a question I believed would be a layup for folks.
“Whenever I go to the Caribbean I usually pick up a couple of bottles,” said Hosea D. “Either on the cruise ship or on a island.”
Over half of the responses mirrored this response to some degree, which is obvious. Fish where the fish are, right?
“Everyone in my ecosystem knows how important Hennessy is to me. It is more than a cognac, it is a way of life,” professed DuJuan S. “Whenever someone is traveling outside the country, they typically check in to see how many bottles I want back. I average between 4-6 bottles per year.”
That method was my initial form of acquisition. It became an art to find the friends and family who routinely made trips to Jamaica or loved going on cruises.
“My future husband gave me a bottle after returning from his boy’s bachelor party,” said Franchesca G. with a laugh. “He told me it was a sign of how much he loved me. He was right.”
How much do you pay for Hennessy Pure White?
Again, another softball question, right?
I served this up to folks in two parts. How much would you usually spend versus what's the most you've ever paid for a bottle? Of those 46 responders:
Average spend for a bottle: $58.26
Most spent for a bottle, on average: $74.36
Multiple responders noted they spent up to $100 for a bottle. If they were going to the Caribbean, they’re copping a bottle…or more.
“Every time I’d go on a cruise, I’m bringing back multiple bottles,” said Willie P. “Usually a case.”
Others commented how the price of Hennessy Pure White had risen dramatically over the years. Some complained that it's been overly hyped and is overrated.
“It's terrible. It is an inferior product that doesn't taste good,” said Elam K. “People only like it because it's ‘exclusive’ and you have to leave the country to get it. It's a ‘flex’ to some, but really it’s just trash juice.”
“I’d been buying (HPW) since the early 2000s, but no longer drink it because I believe black folks are being bamboozled in buying it as if it’s somehow better than Hennessy’s state side offerings,” said Aaron B. “I’ve become more of a rum connoisseur, and when I travel to the Caribbean, I search for more legit rarities than the scam that is Henny Blanco!”
A few admitted they pass judgment on folks willing to do whatever it takes to acquire Hennessy Pure White.
“My favorite is going to a Caribbean airport and watching idiots stand in line for an hour to over pay for a terrible tasting liquor,” said Elam K. ”Just so they can post it on Instagram or Facebook and try to flex on other idiots.”
How do you consume Hennessy Pure White?
First up was essentially a poll question, with four responses:
Neat: 50%
Rocks: 28.3%
With juice/soda/other: 17.4%
Cocktail recipe: 4.3%
Hennessy Pure White cocktails? I needed more intel.
“My favorite Hennessy Pure White experience was in Turks and Caicos, where they’ve perfected the HPW Margarita,” said Robyn C. “It is delicious! Before then, I was sipping it very slowly on the rocks. I love this simple cocktail that always takes me back to the blue Caribbean waters and white sand. Bliss.”
Next time I see Robyn, I’ll get the details on how to make this.
“I make a Pure White 75,” said Nikki M., a self-professed bartender. “A French 75 is gin or cognac, lemon juice and champagne. I made one with HPW and never looked back.”
The next question focused on the setting and occasion. What does it look like when you partake in the Henny Blanco?
“I only sip it on holidays,” said Kelvin R. “Or on the weekend with a cigar on my patio with friends.”
“Special occasions,” said Phillip S. “I normally share a drink with others who have an appreciation for HPW.”
“Trying to floss,” said Franklin G.
“The fellas just got back from the Dominican Republic,” said Jason T. “It’s our pre-game go-to before we head out for shenanigans at night.”
Even the folks who don’t like Hennessy Pure White found value in just having it around.
“I’ll have it at a gathering with folks I haven’t seen in a while who like Henny. But I don’t drink it,” laughed Sabrina A. “Period.”
“I don’t drink it,” said Aaron B. “But, I usually buy it for friends as a gift.”
For one person, it’s his replacement for champagne as a way to celebrate.
“The night I defended my dissertation and became Dr. Du!” DuJuan S. says. “My defense was incredible and the moment they declared that I successfully passed was such a surreal moment. About an hour after my defense, my doorbell rings and I am greeted by my core friends/fraternity brothers who came to toast it up with me to acknowledge the accomplishment. The very first toast was with Hennessy Pure White.”
Where does Pure White rank within Hennessy’s offerings? Where does it rank as a cognac?
I figured these questions would bring out the most surprising answers, and I was kind of right.
The first inquiry was about Henny Pure White's standing compared to Henny's entire catalog. The responses ranged from enduring praise to downright indignance. Again, folks really feel some type of way about Henny Blanco. (Thanks to Aaron B, I can't help but call HPW that.)
“I like it more than Hennessy VS,” said Chris H. “Regular Hennessy ain’t really my thing and I don’t know much about others.”
“No, it’s just popular based on it exclusively,” said Willie M. “If it was sold at your local Safeway, it was be just as popular as regular Hennessy.”
“I like it better because it’s soft and can drink it in the summer,” said Nashaun N.
“I personally prefer that VSOP Privilege or XO,” proclaimed Jason T.
“Hennessy XO is the best,” said Elam K. “Followed by the Hennessey Master Blender's series.”
“Yes it doesn’t have the initial bite as the regular Henny,” said Deanna B.
One person gave a much bleaker approach to all things Hennessy.
“I have given up Hennessy for the remainder of my life,” said Willie P.
The next question focused on whether HPW was their favorite cognac, and two people stated that Hennessy Pure White was their No. 1 cognac. For the remaining 44 interviewees, the answers ranged from within the Hennessy family to other known and lesser-known offerings, including:
Top Hennessy choices:
Hennessy Master Blend (multiple votes)
Hennessy XO (multiple votes)
Hennessy VSOP
Top cognac choices:
Pierre Ferrand Selection des Anges (most votes)
Bisquit & Dubouché VSOP (multiple votes)
Remy Martin 1738 (multiple votes)
Grosperrin
Frapin Chateau Fontpinot
Martell Blue Swift
Martell Cordon Bleu
Navarre Cognac Vieille Reserve
The House of Tessendier (Cognac Park or Cognac Grand Breuil)
Final thoughts on Hennessy Pure White
When I started this project, I genuinely wanted to know why folks loved or loathed this spirit. Well, I got what I asked for and then some.
This debate over HPW reminded me of a quote in a story about Popeye's viral Chicken Sandwich when it first hit the streets a few years ago.
“There’s nothing more American than being divided over something.” said Twitter user @cHolidaydds to AP News. “This week it’s a chicken sandwich.”
While Hennessy Pure White wasn't a viral event in 2022, it's still something that consistently floats up and down my social media timelines. It's also something that can quickly derail a spirited conversation between enthusiasts.
“I love sharing it with people when we host kickbacks,” said Nikki M. “There’s a mystery behind the drink, and that makes for good conversations and memories.”
“The story goes — Pure White was cracked open,” said Jason T. “And life was a blur after that.”
“I don’t particularly care for it,” said Antonio T. “Because ain’t nothing pure or white about it.”
My opinion? People like what they like, and if you don’t like it, that’s cool too. Tepid take? Sure, but what else is there to say? I used to dip ginger snap cookies into grape soda when I was six years old. My grandmother would look at me shocked as I devoured the pairing, but it made me happy, so she left me be.
That's not to compare the two experiences directly. It just means we all have our preferences and different taste buds. When reading tasting notes on spirit reviews, digest them with a level of skepticism. Not because those notes are bullshit, but because they're unique to the reviewer. Your notes and results will likely vary.
I understand the rationale from folks with more sophistication in their spirit consumption. The better you know your palette, the more you can usually handle higher-proof, more complex spirits. Hennessy Pure White isn't that, as its lower proof and lighter color reveal itself inside its uniquely shaped clear bottle.
For me, this game is all about bringing people together. It's the reason I founded a whiskey and spirits club, and it's the reason why I started this newsletter -- because I love bringing people together for shared experiences and building community.
For some people, that’s exactly what Hennessy Pure White achieves.
“When the older cats in our family get together, the bar inevitably is stocked with Hennessy Pure White, along with Remy VSOP, Crown Royal and Barbancourt Rhum,” said Nadege L. “As the evening goes on, they get louder with laughter and differences of opinion, old stories and general good times. I may not personally care for the spirit, but it's always associated with happy summertime memories with my family.”
It it was fuel for your car it would be diesel fuel. Diesel is the leftovers from the fuel making process, the part that the makers consider the worst part. Same with the drink. It's not aged like a darker drink. The longer it's in the barrel the darker the drink, darker drink, the better the drink has matured. Hope that makes since. Diesel use to be the cheapest, now you have this supply and demand from all the pick-up trucks being sold, so now the price has been jacked up. Sound familiar..
“Pure” Marketing.
But I won’t hate.