M aurice Hennessy, eighth-generation member of the cognac dynasty, reads the daily French liberal newspaper Les Echos. “I like to see the paper, touch it and feel it,” the 74-year-old says as he sits in the lobby of the Grafton hotel on Stephen Street in Dublin. “In fact, every country I travel to I always try to find a local paper to read what is happening — whether it’s The New York Times in the US or The Times in London or indeed Ireland.
” The charming Frenchman certainly knows how to captivate his audience — and sell a product. It may be coincidence that Les Echos was bought in 2007 by LVMH, the near €400 billion luxury group that is listed on the Euronext in Paris and owns the Hennessy brand. Maurice Hennessy, retired executive and global brand ambassador, is a real expert, especially when it comes to the double-distilled wine.
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