Hennessy Pure White Cognac has become incredibly popular. So much so that message boards that have even the most tenuous link to Cognac are littered with folks trying to get their hands on a bottle. So, why is this the case? Well, obviously the taste experience has a lot to do with it, but it’s also down to the fact that this hard-to-find Hennessy product has become an urban legend amongst those who’ve fallen under its spell. Because the Cognac giant has chosen not to market Henny Pure White anywhere but in the Caribbean and France, many fans in the US find it virtually impossible to get their hands on a regular supply. The result is that HPW is one of the most sought after Cognacs on the market today.

Hennessy Pure White: A wonderful taste sensation

There’s many a good reason that so many people love it. The Cognac has a light, floral nose with fruitiness on the palate. It’s subtle, not overpowering, and has delicious aromas. It all boils down to the fact that HPW is extra extra smooth, which makes it so delightful to drink.

Pure White Hennessy is between a VS and a VSOP age quality. This means it’s relatively young in age, and this is where its floral notes come from. It’s become a firm favorite around the world–but especially with Cognac lovers in the US. And therein lies the problem… Hennessy has decided that the only places they’re marketing HPW is in the Caribbean. And whilst this is a great excuse to take a vacation, not so many of us are able to simply book a flight every time you see your Henny White running low.

Where can I buy HPW?

Well, you can buy HPW in France and in the Caribbean. But not at Cognac Expert, unfortunately.

Sometimes you just need to have a ‘Plan B’. In other words, a very real and viable alternative to Hennessy Pure White that’ll hit the spot–just.

So with that thought firmly in mind, the team at Cognac Expert has taken a closer look at some serious alternatives for that time when you need a Hennessy Pure White replacement. And you never know. Branching out and trying something different could well lead to you discovering a really neat and desirable new brand.

Hennessy Pure White: What makes it unique?

So to narrow down some realistic HPW substitutes, we first need to understand what makes it such a great tasting Cognac in the first place. So let’s look at these characteristics, and the very reasons that Henny White provides such a sought after taste experience.

  1. It’s an extremely smooth, light Cognac to drink. Light on the nose (the aromas aren’t overpowering), and delicate to taste.
  2. It combines both fruit and floral aromas and tastes.
  3. It’s a young Cognac with the perfect balance between a mature body and freshness.
  4. HPW can be enjoyed neat, over ice, with a mixer, or in a cocktail.
  5. The bottle is very cool to look at. It cleverly combines both chic urban lifestyle and classy elegance.
  6. HPW has (perhaps because of its limited availability) become extremely sought after. If you’ve got yourself a bottle, people are going to be impressed!

Cognac-Expert’s “Alternative to Hennessy Pure White-List”

After a great deal of consideration, we’ve come up with a list of alternative Cognacs to Hennessy Pure White. We’ve taken into account the ‘cool’ factor, the taste, the versatility, and, of course, the price. HPW sells for just over $100 (plus shipping), so we’ve only considered alternatives that are in the same kind of price bracket. And actually, many offer excellent value for money because they don’t command the premium that HPW does.

1. Marancheville VSOP Cognac

Marancheville is a Cognac brand we recently discovered and are falling deeper and deeper in love with the more we taste and compare it to other blends. And that’s not a recommendation we give lightly, let’s be very clear about that. The elegant bottle can keep up with the minimal chic of HPW, and–even more importantly–what’s inside. This really is a stunning, clean, and fresh Cognac that, if you’re a fan of Henny White, you’re going to adore. In fact, we’d almost go as far as to say that you might even betray your beloved Henny… Marancheville VSOP could easily become your new go-to favorite! It has beautiful fruit and honeysuckle aromas and a nose of sweet pastries. Like Hennessy Pure White, this Cognac really does capture the perfect balance between power and smooth freshness.

And here’s some more great news.  You can buy two bottles of this little beauty for the price of a single bottle of Pure White. Created solely from the premier terroir of Cognac, Grande Champagne, this really is a viable option to purchase when you simply can’t get your hands on a bottle of your favorite Henny White.

Discover more about the Marancheville VSOP and have it delivered to your doorstep.

2. Hennessy Fine de Cognac

Another offering from the experts at Hennessy, this elegant Cognac has been created with the very same passion, knowledge and expertise as your favorite HPW bottle. So for those who’d prefer to stick to a brand name that’s more familiar, this one might just tick all the boxes. And, as with all of Hennessy’s Cognacs, you’re guaranteed that’s it’s going to be of excellent quality. Fine de Cognac is a blend that’s very easy to drink–just like HPW. And in the same way as the white stuff, it can be enjoyed neat or on ice, and will thrill you with its delightful aromas.

A VSOP Cognac, this blend is slightly more mature than Hennessy Pure White, but equally smooth and gentle to drink. The minimal look compares to HPW in its timeless style, and the bottle certainly draws admiring glances if you bring it along to any kind of social event.

Try Hennessy Fine de Cognac and experience its fragrances and aromas of citrus and honey.

3. Bache Gabrielsen Pure & Rustic Tasting Set

Bache Gabrielsen’s beautiful range, Pure & Rustic, brings us sophistication, knowledge, and a massive amount of points when it comes to the ‘cool’ factor. So, why are we recommending a set that comprises of four bottles? Well, it’s simple. Because each and every one of the products in this set offers a tasting experience that’s sophisticated, yet so very easy to drink. Each of the bottles provides a really great alternative to Hennessy Pure White in a multitude of ways.

Bache Gabrielsen has collaborated with small local producers to bring us the artisanal Pure & Rustic range. And we have to say, there are many similarities in the bottle shape and labels to our beloved HPW. It’s a real talking point that Bache Gabrielsen have pushed the boundaries of Cognac labeling, choosing to use names such as Secret Garden, Fruity Harvest, Golden Wood, and Spicy Trip to describe the blends in this set.

We absolutely love this product. All four Cognacs are pale in color like Hennessy Pure White. In particular, the Secret Garden and Fruity Harvest blends are truly comparable to HPW when it comes to the taste sensation. And of course, you’re getting four different Cognacs here. This offers boundless opportunities for comparing the aromas between the four blends. A tasting session with friends will always make for a fun evening’s entertainment. We know–we’ve done it!

Buy Bache Gabrielsen Pure & Rustic Tasting Set in our online store.

4. Bourgoin Fine Pale Cognac

This brand is new to the stage of Cognac houses, and it’s certainly drawing a whole heap lot of attention. We have to say, when it comes to looks alone, this really could be the long lost cousin of Henney Pure White! Just look at that pale Cognac color. It’s pretty much the exact same light golden hue as Hennessy Pure White. And when it comes to technicalities, this color shows that it hasn’t taken on too much of the oak of the barrel–just like the light blend that makes HPW such a sought after taste.

The age of this delightful Cognac is a VS. It’s slightly younger and a little punchier that Hennessy Pure White. But we think you might really enjoy this one. It tastes great, both neat, over ice, and in a cocktail, not to mention looking awesome in your drinks cabinet and truly stands out.

Find out more about Bourgoin Fine Pale in our shop.

5. Leopold Gourmel VSOP Cognac

This Leopold Gourmel offering is stunningly presented, and perhaps, in our humble opinion, the best looking bottle on this list. A completely natural Cognac, it’s the epitome of delicacy and finesse. If you want to wow your friends and family with your choice of HPW alternatives, then this wonderful bottle could well become your go-to choice when Hennessy Pure White is out.

We could wax lyrical for hours about the attributes of this lovely Cognac. But we’re sure you can see for yourself how beautiful it looks. So let’s talk about the taste. This Cognac blend comes from the sought after Fins Bois terroir of Cognac–a growing area known for producing subtle floral and fruity eaux-de-vie. And the reason you love HPW so much? Yes–it’s those fruity, floral aromas and flavors that manage to be so potent, but gentle and delicate, and definitely not overpowering. And this Leopold Gourmel VSOP offers the very same, and for those who love White Henny, it’s really going to hit the spot as a viable alternative. On the nose enjoy gentle aromas of pear and white peach, whist on the palate you luxuriate in the clean, fresh tastes that gently take you on the ride to a refreshing, long lasting finish.

Check out Leopold Gourmel VSOP Premiers Sauvers Cognac in our online store.

Whatever Hennessy Pure White alternative you choose, take the time to relish the journey.  After all, one of the delights of Cognac is to discover what else is out there.  Have fun, and enjoy…

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5 Alternative Cognacs to Hennessy Pure White: When HPW Runs Out

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Author

Jacki has been with Cognac Expert from virtually the beginning. She's the senior editor of the blog, and has spent much of her life living in rural France. Today she's based back in the UK, where she splits her working life between writing for Cognac Expert and working as a Paramedic at a large regional hospital.

5 Comments

  1. Avatar

    Hennessy Black is the poorest quality of all the blends! It has a harsh bite to it! Not warm to the palate nor does it have a romantic experience with your taste buds. It is for those who drink the brand just for the namesake of the brand,

  2. Avatar

    Hennessy Black was specifically created to mix. It is not a sipping Hennessy as it was not created for that purpose.

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