Richard Hennessy founded the Maison in 1765. This is a maison that has always kept on innovating and creating to give birth to the world's finest cognacs.

The region authorised to produce cognac is divided into six zones, including fivecrus broadly covering the department of Charente-Maritime, a large part of the department of Charente and a few areas in Deux-Sèvres and the Dordogne. The six zones are: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois,Bon Bois and finally Bois Ordinaire. A blend of Grande and Petite Champagne Cognacs, with at least half coming from Grande Champagne, is known as Fine Champagne. Cognac-producing regions should not be confused with the northeastern region of Champagne, a wine region that producessparkling wine by that name, although they do share a common etymology – both being derivations of a French term for chalky soil.