🥃 Moët Hennessy

Moët Hennessy is the holding company of the wine and spirits businesses of the French LVMH group. According to LVMH, the group itself was created in 1987 by the merger of Moët Hennessy and Louis Vuitton. Diageo states that it holds 34% of Moët Hennessy.

History. LVMH's annual report dates the champagne house Moët & Chandon to 1743 and Hennessy, founded by Richard Hennessy, to 1765. Joint ventures with Diageo for distributing the brands have operated under agreements in place since 1987. In 2005 LVMH acquired The Glenmorangie Company, which owns the Glenmorangie and Ardbeg single malt whiskies.

Portfolio. The spirits include Hennessy cognac, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg whiskies, Belvedere vodka (owned since 2007), Woodinville whiskey (acquired 2017), Volcán de mi Tierra tequila (since 2017) and Eminente rum (launched 2020). The wine side includes the houses Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Krug, Dom Pérignon, Ruinart and Château d'Yquem.

Where it is made. Hennessy carries out all its production in Cognac. Glenmorangie is distilled in northeastern Scotland and Ardbeg on the Isle of Islay. Belvedere is made at the Polmos Żyrardów distillery in Poland, founded in 1910.

Why it matters to you. The word Moët in the name does not mean that all the group's drinks are champagne: one portfolio includes cognac, whisky and vodka from different countries, each with its own production rules. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.