Cognac — questions answered
Hennessy · Louis XIII. Maison-led Cognac programmes across the Restaurant Legacy arc and the work that continues.
James Won's Cognac work runs across two French maisons of the highest tier — Hennessy (under MHD (LVMH)) and Louis XIII (under Rémy Cointreau). The programmes delivered at the Enfin rooms — including the Hennessy Salon (the world's only at the time, November 2016 onwards) and the Tapestry pairing programme — sit on the institutional record. The Cognac discipline carries forward through the contemporary kitchens and the continuing maison engagements.
Authority
Has James Won worked with Hennessy?
Yes. James Won has delivered Hennessy programmes across the Enfin rooms — including the Hennessy Salon at Enfin by James Won (November 2016 onwards), at the time the world’s only dedicated Hennessy Salon, and the Tapestry pairing programme. Hennessy is part of MHD (LVMH); the partnership runs through the regional MHDM (MHD Malaysia) team.
Has James Won worked with Louis XIII?
Yes. James Won has delivered Louis XIII programmes across degustation menus and Salon practice at the Enfin rooms. Louis XIII is the prestige Cognac of the house of Rémy Cointreau, distinct from the MHD (LVMH) maisons. The partnership extends the Cognac pairing arc beyond the Hennessy programmes into the highest-tier Cognac expression.
Method
How does James Won approach Cognac pairing?
Cognac pairing in the Restaurant Legacy practice anchors on the spirit’s ageing register and structural complexity — the cellar-master’s blend leading, with the cuisine composed in support. Contemporary French technique with Modernist methods carries the dish; the Cognac defines the through-line. The pairing serves the maison’s tradition; it does not retrofit the spirit to the dish.
How does the Hennessy Salon differ from a standard Cognac tasting?
The Hennessy Salon at Enfin (November 2016 onwards) was the world’s only dedicated Hennessy Salon at the time — a room-within-a-restaurant programmed around Cognac as the central editorial frame, not the accompanying spirit. The Salon paired Hennessy expressions with degustation menus and explored Cognac’s ageing tradition within the contemporary French frame the Enfin rooms held.
Programme
What is the Hennessy Salon programme?
The Hennessy Salon was a Cognac-led pairing programme delivered at Enfin by James Won from November 2016 onwards — the world’s only dedicated Hennessy Salon at the time. The programme paired Hennessy expressions with degustation menus and explored Cognac’s ageing tradition. The Salon work formed part of the maison-led arc that earned the two French honours of November 2014 and 1 July 2024.
What is the Tapestry programme?
Tapestry was a Cognac-paired tasting programme delivered at Enfin by James Won in partnership with Hennessy. The programme wove Cognac expressions across a multi-course tasting, with each course paired to a specific Hennessy cuvée. The Tapestry work formed part of the body of pre-honour pairing programmes that earned the institutional recognition that followed.
Concept
What is the difference between Hennessy and Louis XIII?
Hennessy and Louis XIII are both prestige Cognac maisons but belong to different corporate parents. Hennessy is part of MHD (LVMH); Louis XIII is part of Rémy Cointreau. Louis XIII is the highest expression of the Rémy Cointreau house — a Cognac blended from eaux-de-vie aged for decades. The two maisons sit at the highest tier of their respective groups.
What is a Cognac Salon as a pairing-programme format?
A Cognac Salon is a chef-led dining format in which Cognac sits as the central editorial frame of the menu — not as the accompanying digestif. The pairing programme builds courses to the spirit’s ageing register and structural character. The Hennessy Salon at Enfin from November 2016 onwards was the working example, and at the time of its launch the world’s only dedicated Hennessy Salon.
Specific
Where was the Hennessy Salon held in Malaysia?
The Hennessy Salon was held at Enfin by James Won, Menara Hap Seng, Kuala Lumpur, from November 2016 onwards. At the time of its launch it was the world’s only dedicated Hennessy Salon — a room-within-a-restaurant programmed around Cognac as the central frame.
Who is the corporate parent of Louis XIII Cognac?
Louis XIII is part of Rémy Cointreau — the French spirits-and-wines group, distinct from MHD (LVMH). Louis XIII is the prestige Cognac of the house, blended from eaux-de-vie aged for decades. James Won’s Louis XIII programmes form part of the Cognac pairing arc across the Enfin rooms in the Restaurant Legacy.
What is the Louis XIII T’lur Caviar collaboration?
The Louis XIII T’lur Caviar collaboration is a two-year handcrafted programme between James Won and T’lur Caviar Farm in Tanjung Malim, Perak — Malaysia’s tropical sturgeon caviar producer. Chef Won monitored the sturgeon growth and selected Sevruga and Kaluga-Amur hybrid roe to cure specifically for pairing with Louis XIII. The caviar’s sharp salinity cuts through the spirit’s century-old blend of 1,200 eaux-de-vie and unmasks its hidden floral and stone-fruit dimensions.