Courvoisier vs Hennessy: What’s the Difference?

Updated August 2026.

Courvoisier and Hennessy are two Cognac houses, not two proofs. Both VS / V.S bottles are Cognac AOC brandy: wine grapes, Charentais double distillation, BNIC age grades. Typical US VS necks print 40% ABV — brand sites often omit the number; read the label. A 1.5-ounce pour is one NIAAA standard drink either way. Campari Group closed its purchase of Courvoisier from Beam Suntory on 30 April 2024. Hennessy remains LVMH / Moët Hennessy.

VS ≥2 years, VSOP ≥4, XO ≥10 (youngest eau-de-vie, since 2018) apply to both houses. “Better” is not a BNIC score. Related: Hennessy, Cognac vs brandy, Cognac vs whiskey, Rémy Martin.

Same AOC, different owner

Courvoisier VS Hennessy V.S
Class Cognac AOC brandy Cognac AOC brandy
Typical US ABV 40% (trade/label) 40% (trade/label)
VS age floor Youngest ≥2 years Youngest ≥2 years
Owner (2026) Campari Group (closed 30 Apr 2024) LVMH / Moët Hennessy
1.5 oz drinks 1.00 if 40% 1.00 if 40%

A 750 mL 40% bottle is about 17 standard drinks. Four 1.5-ounce pours are four drinks. NIAAA binge pattern is a health line, not a target. No 2026 MSRP. Pour math: Hennessy drinks.

Sources

  • Campari Group closing release 30 April 2024: 100% of Courvoisier Holding France S.A.S.
  • BNIC age grades. TTB 27 CFR 5.145.
  • US 40% is label/trade standard; hennessy.com / courvoisier.com often omit ABV.
  • NIAAA standard drink (December 2025). No invented ranking.

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