Commemoritive Hennessy for President Obama

I honestly don't even know how I feel about this. Is it exploitation or just creative and effective marketing? After my dude Forth told me about it, I debated whether or not to cop. Then my other dude, WP from the HPT, came through and blessed me with a bottle of this limited edition Hennessy.

According to the press release:
This collector-edition, individually numbered bottle will further cement Hennessy’s roots in the urban community, with a percentage of proceeds being donated to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to help enable America’s next generation of leaders…

Read the rest underneath.


NEW YORK, January 15, 2009 – In recognition of one of the most defining moments in American history, Hennessy is introducing a limited edition bottle honoring the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. In honor of this momentous occasion and furthering Hennessy’s long standing commitment with the urban community, a percentage of proceeds from the Hennessy 44 Limited Edition bottle will be donated to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to help cultivate a new generation of leaders.

Inspired by this historic event, Hennessy is bolstering its support of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund – an organization dedicated to providing scholarships, resources, opportunities, and advocacy to help the next generation of leaders. Two four year scholarships to Public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) will be awarded to exceptional individuals who have the potential to make great changes in this country.

“We are grateful for the loyalty and support that Hennessy has shown us since our inception in 1987,” said Dwayne Ashley, president and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund. “This year’s inauguration marks a new era and with the help of Hennessy, we hope to inspire others to break boundaries and lead this country into greatness.”

The Hennessy 44 Limited Edition bottle will feature a redesigned label, black capsule, and a special 44 seal featuring the date of the inauguration. Only 180,000 (750ml) uniquely numbered collector’s item bottles have been produced and will be available for sale in Washington DC, Maryland, Illinois, Metro New York, and Georgia from January 12th, 2009.

“We are proud to celebrate this historic inauguration and defining chapter in history,” said Mark Cornell, President and CEO of Moet Hennessy USA. “Through the launch of the Hennessy 44 Limited Edition bottle and our continued partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund we further cement our dedication to supporting local communities and cultivating those with great potential.”

During the inauguration weekend Hennessy will join the celebrations at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund reception, the Radio One Inauguration Gala, the NNPA Gala, and the Hip Hop Summit Action Network Inaugural Ball. Celebrities will be invited to autograph commemorative bottles for a later auction to create additional funds for scholarships through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

The limited edition bottles will be individually numbered and will be line priced with Hennessy V.S. For more information on Hennessy V.S Limited Edition Inauguration Bottles and the Thurgood Marshall College fund, please visit www.hennessy.com or www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org.