French cognac distiller Hennessy has partnered with global dance stars Les Twins to create a limited-edition Very Special bottle, which aims to express the pulse of street culture in a dual design incorporating freestyle dance.
Far more than a classic collaboration, this partnership marks a brand-new horizon and a groundbreaking meeting of minds.
Before the release of the dual limited-edition bottle, we were taken on a three-day virtual trip from Paris to Cognac to where the twin brothers Laurent and Larry Bourgeois captured the Very Special-making process in six dance steps, which were captured in movement through the latest data capture technologies.
These movements were then translated to design the limited edition bottles and packaging, with each motion design corresponding to their individual moves.
During our time at the Cognac region, there was a cocktail-making session by a mixologist friend of Hennessy, who worked side by side with Les Twins, drawing inspiration from their incredible energy and the many facets of their groundbreaking “Move Out Loud” collaboration.
The Lil beast cocktail
The more reserved “Lil beast” cocktail by Laurent combines power and softness in flavours evoking his suave, flowing style. The warm, torrefied aromas of Hennessy Very Special are complemented by gourmet notes of almond and nutmeg recalling French pastries, counterbalanced by the acidic tang of lemon juice.
Ingredients
50ml Hennessy Very Special
10ml almond syrup
20ml lemon juice
Grated nutmeg
1⁄2 egg white
Method
Pour all liquids into a shaker and add egg white. Shake vigorously to emulsify (without ice).
Grate nutmeg into the shaker in two or three swift, smooth strokes. Give the mixture one last shake with fresh ice.
Strain into a coupe glass.
Garnish with grated nutmeg.
CA blaze cocktail
The vibrant, punchy “CA blaze” cocktail nods to the speed and precision of the artist’s legwork. A fizzy cocktail with floral, spicy accents, it showcases the full-bodied Hennessy Very Special, offset by notes of vanilla and elderflower, which has a litchi-like tinge. For Larry, those aromas resonated with childhood memories. Topped with ginger beer, the cocktail has both kick and fizz, while lime juice contrasts sweetness with a bright, fresh finish.
Ingredients
30ml Hennessy Very Special
15ml vanilla syrup
12ml elderflower liqueur
25ml lime juice
40ml ginger beer
Lime wedge
Method
In a shaker combine all liquids except ginger beer, and shake it.
Fill a glass with ice cubes and strain in the contents.
Top with ginger beer.
Garnish with a lime wedge.