Hennessy's top-quality brandies, such as XO and 'Paradis', are madefrom mature cognacs with an average age of at least 30 years. Overtime, these cognacs lose harshness and acquire subtle, delicateflavours. The Riedel V.S.O.P. glass, deliberately designed to tonedown any harshly alcoholic qualities, was found to suppress thefine bouquets of these venerable old brandies. What we were lookingfor was a shape that would concentrate their gentle nuances ofbouquet and deliver the required intensity.