Hennessy Alcohol Content
Hennessy is 40% alcohol by volume, or 80 proof. That is the same strength as most vodka, whiskey, and rum.2,3 A 1.5 oz shot is 1.0 standard drink.
Hennessy is cognac, a brandy made from grapes and produced in the Cognac region of France. It is not whiskey, even though it is aged in oak barrels and looks similar in the glass.
Hennessy ABV by Version
These strengths are printed on labels approved by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB):
The age statement changes the taste and the price, not the strength. V.S and X.O are both bottled at 40%.
How Many Standard Drinks Are in Hennessy?
One U.S. standard drink is 14 grams of pure alcohol, the amount in a 1.5 oz shot of 40% liquor.1 At 40% ABV, here is how Hennessy adds up:
| Serving | ABV | Standard drinks |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 oz shot | 40% | 1.0 |
| 2 oz neat pour | 40% | 1.3 |
| 375 ml bottle | 40% | 8.5 |
| 750 ml bottle | 40% | 16.9 |
| 1.75 L bottle | 40% | 39.5 |
A 750 ml bottle of Hennessy holds about 17 shots, or about 17 standard drinks. Bars often pour cognac neat at 2 oz, which is 1.3 drinks per glass.
Hennessy vs Other Drinks
| Drink | Typical ABV | Standard drinks per 1.5 oz shot |
|---|---|---|
| Hennessy | 40% | 1.0 |
| Jack Daniel’s | 40% | 1.0 |
| Vodka | 40% | 1.0 |
| Fireball | 33% | 0.8 |
| Baileys | 17% | 0.4 |
| Wine | 12% | 0.3 |
To count any mix of drinks, use the standard drink calculator.
How Much Hennessy Does It Take to Get Drunk?
That depends on your weight, your sex, and how fast you drink. Enter your weight below to see how many shots of Hennessy reach each level.
Actual BAC depends on metabolism, food, and time.
Try our BAC calculator for more detailed tracking
Hennessy Alcohol FAQ
What type of alcohol is Hennessy?
Hennessy is cognac, a type of brandy made from grapes and produced in the Cognac region of France.
What proof is Hennessy?
Hennessy V.S and X.O are both 80 proof, which is 40% alcohol by volume.
Is Hennessy whiskey?
No. Whiskey is distilled from grain. Hennessy is distilled from grapes, which makes it a brandy.
How many shots of Hennessy get you drunk?
Each 1.5 oz shot is 1.0 standard drink. How many it takes depends on your weight, your sex, and how fast you drink. The calculator on this page shows your number.
How many shots are in a bottle of Hennessy?
A 750 ml bottle has about 17 shots of 1.5 oz. A 375 ml bottle has about 8, and a 1.75 L bottle has about 39.
To see how Hennessy affects your blood alcohol level, use the BAC calculator.
Sources
- NIAAA. What is a standard drink?
- TTB COLA 24025001000293. Hennessy Very Special Cognac label, 40% alc./vol. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.
- TTB COLA 23354001000635. Hennessy X.O Cognac label, 40% alc./vol. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.