South African actress and singer, Nandi Mngoma experiences The Hennessy Time Barrel at the opening of The Hennessy 250 Tour at Circa Gallery on August 20th in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Charlie Shoemaker/Getty Images)
On the occasion of Hennessy’s 250th anniversary celebration, Maison Hennessy chairman and CEO Bernard Peillon marked the fourth stop in the worldwide Hennessy 250 Tour with a preview at the sculptural, multi-functional CIRCA Gallery on Jellicoe in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The celebration drew VIP guests including contemporary French artist Pierrick Sorin, actress and singer Nandi Mngoma, actress Nomzamo Mbatha, socialite Maps Maponyane, model Vanessa Carreira, Nigerian singer-songwriter 2Face, hip-hop DJ and businessman T-Bo Touch, television personality Lorna Maseko-Lukhele, as well as the event co-curator and Hennessy heritage expert Raphaël Gérard. Guests were invited to experience the Hennessy 250 Tour, followed by a seated dinner with the presentation of the Hennessy 250 Collector Blend specially created by Hennessy Master Blender and Taster Yann Fillioux for this milestone celebration.
With this penultimate stop on the Hennessy 250 Tour, Hennessy honors a treasured bond dating back to the Maison’s arrival in South Africa nearly 150 years ago. At the same time, it celebrates the many dynamic exchanges that make it such a vibrant part of today’s cultural scene across the African continent’s countries, customs, music and art.
“Hennessy has always cultivated lasting friendships with other countries and cultures: our very DNA drives us to adapt to local customs and values, and to help set the trends that mark our era,” said Hennessy chairman and CEO Bernard Peillon in his welcome speech. “Hennessy — or “Henny”, as it is known to many fans today — and South Africa in particular share two culturally compatible worldviews. We share a philosophy of self-fulfillment that inspires us to move forward, break down barriers, and innovate in ways that are both great and small.”
Bernard Peillon recalled how, ever since Hennessy first arrived in South Africa in 1866, the Maison has been present at every important step in the African saga right through to the 21st century. In 2010, Hennessy participated in the 50th anniversary celebration of Nigerian independence, creating a special edition of V.S to honor the milestone. “Our histories are bound together by a spirit of freedom and a passion for creative expression. We are, each in our own way, a melting pot, and that is our strength. What we know for sure is: One must never give up. Never stop believing. Achieve what others might think impossible.”
Leading contemporary artist Pierrick Sorin, whose carte blanche creation is featured in the Hennessy 250 Tour, joined a selection of 150 VIPs. Also present were Maurice Hennessy, 8th generation of the Hennessy family, Master Blender Yann Fillioux, 7th generation, and his entire Comité de Dégustation, and Hennessy 250 Tour co-curator and Hennessy heritage expert Raphael Gérard. The Hennessy 250 Collector Blend was revealed with an exceptional tasting.