Hennessy

• Hepworth Pura is the cannabis division of Hepworth Farms—a seventh-generation organic farm in Milton, New York renowned for its commitment to quality and sustainability.
• “We couldn’t be more excited about launching in New York,” said Punit Seth, Toast Co-Founder and CEO.
• “It brings us back to where it all started for Toast, and that wouldn’t have been possible without this partnership.
• The New York launch has special significance for Toast, which was originally conceived in New York City in 2014 while the soon-to-be co-founders shared cocktails.

• As Chief Growth Officer, Marco Montenegro brings nearly 38 years of unparalleled expertise to Allure Bridals and will oversee the sales and product teams.
• She will oversee Allure Bridals' global marketing efforts with a laser-sharp focus on brand growth initiatives.
• Cadourcy joins Allure Bridals from Modern Luxury Media, the nation's largest luxury media company, where she held the position of Chief Marketing Officer.
• The appointment of our Chief Growth Officer and Chief Marketing Officer comes at an opportune time.

• According to popular media and industry folklore alike, African American cognac consumption dates to either or both world wars.
• In this telling, Black GIs sent to Southwest France fell in love with the bottled spirit as much as the spirit of a country they perceived as decidedly less racist than home.
• This year Le Monde published a story about cognac’s popularity among America’s rap artists, recapitulating the same wartime genesis.

A century-old affair

• There is no evidence to suggest that it’s anything more than romantic myth, and the story certainly invites questions.
• Why would Black soldiers become enamoured of cognac specifically, but not wine, which is consumed much more by the French?
• Why would Black soldiers alone fall for cognac’s charms, but not their White counterparts?
• Formerly enslaved Manhattan tavern owner Cato Alexander is just one example who brings to life African American knowledge of cognac.

Hip hop and cognac

• Founded in 1945 by John H. Johnson as the first nationally-circulated magazine designed to showcase Black success, its pages helped position cognac as the perfect emblem of comfortable Black affluence.
• Jay-Z’s 2012 venture as a cognac brand owner with d'Ussé represents the long outgrowth of cognac’s bursting onto the hip hop scene in the 1990s and early 2000s.
• Nas claims to be the first to include cognac in his rhymes – for example, “Memory Lane (Sittin’ in da Park)” on 1994’s Illmatic.
• It’s a story that casts cognac as part of the family, a marker of freedom, and a vehicle to repudiate American racism.

• "We're proud to honor Hip Hop's 50th anniversary with a pioneer of the art and culture – Hip Hop icon, Nas – as we celebrate the debut of our collaborative Limited-Edition Bottle."
• To bring the flair and flavor of the celebratory launch party to 21+ consumers at home, while highlighting Hennessy's influential role in Hip Hop history, Hennessy's expert mixologists have crafted three unique cocktails, pulling in elements of reminiscent Hip Hop flavors, to celebrate Hip Hop 50:
  The Big Apple : Hennessy's homage to the birthplace of Hip Hop and inspired by Nas.
• Hennessy has a longstanding relationship with Hip Hop, having been featured in more Hip Hop songs over the years than any other alcohol brand.
• Toast this seminal moment in Hip Hop history with Hennessy, whether you Rep Yours, craft a classic Hennessy Hip Hop cocktail or connect with Team Hennessy in your neighborhood.