Hennessy VS Cognac, the VS stands for “Very Special”, is the world’s most popular Cognac, and this 20cl bottle brings that benchmark spirit in a small bottle, ideal for gifting, travelling, trying before buying a full 70cl bottle, or simply enjoying a generous measure without the commitment of a larger size.
Blended from around 40 different eaux-de-vie selected from the finest growing areas of the Cognac region, Hennessy VS is bold, fruity, and versatile. It is equally at home sipped neat over ice as it is in a classic Sidecar, Hennessy Sour, or a simple mix with ginger ale and lime.
Buy Hennessy VS Cognac 20cl at Fareham Wine Cellar, an independent wine and spirits merchant in Hampshire with UK-wide delivery.
The pocket-sized 20cl Hennessy VS is one of the most practical spirit formats available: small enough to fit in a Christmas stocking or hamper, useful as a travel companion in checked luggage, and the perfect size for a couple of generous serves without opening a full bottle. It is also an excellent way to explore the Hennessy range before committing to a larger format — try the VS here, then step up to the VSOP or XO when you are ready.
This is also a great small bottle size if you only need a small amount of Cognac in recipes for flambés, sauces and baking. Cognac is an essential ingredient for savoury dishes like Steak au Poivre or Coq au Vin and desserts including Bananas Flambé and Crêpes Suzette.
In 1765, Irish aristocrat Richard Hennessy, who had been serving in the French forces, founded an eaux-de-vie trading business in Cognac. In 1865, Maurice Hennessy, the great-grandson of the founder, became the first to systematically classify cognacs, awarding a varying number of stars to designate quality levels. Thus was born Hennessy’s first Three Star Cognac, better known today as VS (Very Special). This grading system was soon adopted by the rest of the trade.
Today, Cognac Hennessy is the uncontested leader in Cognac, selling millions of bottles a year around the world. Seven generations of the Fillioux family have served as cellar masters, maintaining a continuity of style and quality that is virtually unique in the spirits industry. The VS remains the entry point to the range and — despite its accessibility — a genuine expression of everything that makes Hennessy the benchmark it is.
If you enjoy Hennessy VS, explore our wider Cognac and Brandy range at Fareham Wine Cellar, or discover our whisky and whiskey range for other premium sipping spirits.
The Hennessy VS nose opens with fresh fruit — grape, citrus, and a hint of toasted almond — followed by vanilla and red berry notes that come with a minimum of two years’ oak ageing. On the palate it is rounded and fruit-forward, with a warming richness from the barrel maturation, grilled almond and light spice in the mid-palate, and a clean, welcoming finish. It is the most popular style of Hennessy — consisting of fresh fruit notes like grape and citrus, vanilla, toasted almonds, and crème brûlée. A cognac that flatters almost any serve.
What does VS mean on a bottle of Cognac Hennessy?
VS stands for Very Special: by law the youngest eau-de-vie in a VS blend has to have been aged for at least two years in oak casks. That ageing adds the vanilla, caramel, and fruit notes that make Hennessy VS so approachable and versatile.
VS Cognacs are the youngest in the Hennessy range; VSOP Cognacs (“Very Superior Old Pale”) must be aged for at least four years, and XO Cognacs (“Extra Old”) for at least 10 years.
Is Hennessy a brandy or a Cognac?
Hennessy is a Cognac, which is itself a type of brandy. All Cognac is brandy, but not all brandy is Cognac. For a spirit to be labelled Cognac, it must be produced in the Cognac region of France, made from specific grape varieties, distilled twice in copper pot stills, and aged in oak for a minimum of two years. Hennessy meets all of these criteria and is produced in the town of Cognac in southwestern France.
Is Hennessy VS a good gift?
Yes, it makes a great gift and the 20cl format is particularly well-suited to gifting. Compact enough to include in a hamper or Christmas stocking, impressive enough to give as a standalone present, and useful enough to be genuinely enjoyed rather than displayed on a shelf.
For larger gift options, the 70cl ask in-store at Fareham Wine Cellar or browse our full Cognac range online.
What is the best way to drink Hennessy VS?
Hennessy can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or mixed in a cocktail. The 20cl VS is particularly well-suited to cocktails and long drinks — the Hennessy Sour, Sidecar, and cognac with ginger ale are all excellent choices. If sipping neat, a tulip-shaped glass concentrates the aromatics and allows you to appreciate the full complexity of the blend.
