If you ask me, good company is the ultimate luxury, and I've learned over the past decade that the greatest company—those who encourage you to smile more and dream bigger each day—flocks to Hennessy.
Over the holidays, I had the distinct pleasure of exploring Billionaire's Mountain with their Rare Cognac Team for the Aspen World Snow Polo Championship. If your resolution for life, rather than just the New Year, is to travel like a celebrity, then saddle up—this guide is just for you.
Rolling Up to MOLLIE Aspen
My first impression of Aspen felt remarkably grounded. After all, this is where luminaries flock for a sense of clarity through space, comfort, and connection among those they care about the most.
Gazing about the small town’s main street, the MOLLIE Aspen house car—an olive green Rivian—rolls up to the twice Michelin-starred stay. Vertical slats of wood reach three stories high, charcoal trimmings contrasting the snow perfectly. Oversized double doors open to a heart-warming lobby, centered by a modern fireplace and every texture you can imagine from hand-woven textiles to luxurious furs.
Back in grade school, I originally fell in love with design through the Bauhaus 100 coffee table book. Their philosophy across material, color, shape, texture—everything felt incredibly intuitive with a balance of form and function. Doing a 360 in the midst of the lobby, the little kid in me beamed with excitement, as if I was right where I was meant to be.
There is so much I could say about the design sensibilities of MOLLIE Aspen’s architecture, interiors, and hospitality that we have a separate interview with their architects coming soon.
Charting to the Paradis Suite, Inspired by Hennessy Paradis
On the sprinter van to the St. Regis Aspen, I had the pleasure of meeting industry-shaping editors, publicists, and TV personalities. Stepping into the lobby, I found myself immediately locking eyes with Prince Harry from across the room, learning at this moment that he’d be competing on a polo horse for the week ahead.
Through a gilded maze of hallways and elevator, we arrive at the signature Paradis Suite, skillfully crafted to bring the world of Hennessy Paradis to life. Waltzing through, I encounter three large format artworks of hand-woven paper and glass with crystal vessels of cognac suspended in the center by Mathilde Nivet. Flanking the corners of this elusive suite, I discover two pedestals with museum-quality glass casings, celebrating two of the finest liquor vessels I have ever laid eyes on.
The first, Paradis Unlimited , crafted as a tribute to symphonic music for a deeper connection to one’s emotions. With 100 pieces available worldwide, this incredibly rare “eaux-de-vie” or “water of life” features a mixture of 25-to-100 year old cognac. The second, La Dame Jeanne, the Pièce de Résistance of their global collection, crafted by the eighth generation Master Blender as a tribute to his ancestors and valued at one million dollars.
As Shaun White steps to the hearth for a welcome toast, I’m handed a tulip-shaped glass with my first taste of Hennessy Paradis. Cheering to the week ahead of good sport and new friends, I take a sip and the orchestra begins to play—a density of aromas and flavors from jasmine to cinnamon and exotic fruits—taking on the life of piano, violin, and flute.
Shared Plates & Laughter at Petit Trois
Back at MOLLIE Aspen, we were invited to experience the Parisian charm of Petit Trois. Following our first day in the snow, the warmth and nuance of their Butternut Squash Soup made me feel right at home. For the main course, their delicate salmon dish evolved from earthy to zesty on the palate, bookended with a crème brûlée that was nothing short of virtuosic. Each course was thoughtfully paired with Hennessy cocktails from a not-too-sweet espresso martini to citrus-forward sidecar and sazerac with a whisper of absinthe.
Designing 1:1 Cowboy Hats at Kemo Sabe
As a Texas native, I was beyond thrilled as we rolled up to the muse of the city, Kemo Sabe, to design my own bespoke cowboy hat.
Upon entering, I noticed that each guest took one step in and stopped in their tracks, looking upwards with jaws dropped. Hundreds of hats in every shape, texture, and hue imaginable from floor to ceiling. Expansive, live edge shelves filled with exotic, unapologetically-Western bags, and a library-inspired display of cowboy boots with a rolling ladder.
Whisked away to the private bar on the second floor, we mingled over highballs and dreamt of the possibilities when our name was called to begin the bespoke process. Partnering with my lovely retail associate, Sarah, we began scanning the walls for silhouettes which complemented my facial structure. Settling on a traditional, curved cowboy hat in a chocolate brown—to match my beard.
Showing her the image of Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen with their beaten-up Kelly bag, she laughed and said “follow me” without hesitation, spraying alcohol on my hat and lighting it with a blow torch. Followed by hand-stitching leather thread, curated feathers and needles, and a hot stamp of a cowboy on a Bronco—the horse, not the car, mind you.
Off to the Polo Matches at Rio Grande Park
Upon entrance, Hennessy’s infused hot chocolate with torched marshmallows warmed us up. Within their coveted VIP tent, yet another dazzling vessel of Paradis, alongside the queen herself, Mariah Carey.
The first thing I noticed at the Aspen World Snow Polo Championship is that our Kemo Sabe hats seemed to be our ticket for entry. I would venture to say that between 25-50% of the patrons were sporting their own one-on-one as an intriguing display of individuality and camaraderie.
Suddenly, I hear over the speakers, “Point Windsor!” And there he was, Prince Harry, trotting confidently across the snow, sparkling through the sun’s prism of clouds and mountains in the distance. Admittedly, I felt a bit conflicted cheering for him, as he was competing against the Hennessy Team.
A well-appointed row of tents, reminiscent of The Ton’s Promenade in Bridgerton, was filled with the season’s latest fashions. Within each, one might discover ice sculptures, model ships, winter outfitters, hospitality and interior showrooms. The food was sublime from fresh lobster to shrimp, sushi, and squid ink pasta.
Piano Musings Between Once-in-a-Lifetime Courses
Staying at the Paradis Suite offered a level of exclusivity which I have yet to encounter before, featuring a menu that is exclusively available to guests of this singular suite.
The team transformed the living room into a larger-than-life dining room table for 20+ guests. Each chair covered in snow-white fur, flickering candlelight danced about the room, fabric printed menus, and earthen napkin rings with each guest’s name hand engraved. The suite’s traditional dining room became a prep station for celebrated chefs to plate each delicacy with precision.
From Alaskan King Crab with caviar, to dry aged duck breast. Truffle Wagyu striploin paired with Hennessy X.O., to the “Cognac-to-Colorado” lavender-infused baba—co-created by Chefs Buğra Keleş of St. Regis Aspen and Cyril Baudin of Chateau Bagnolet—paired with Hennessy Paradis. In between courses, an Aspen Music Festival & School pianist serenaded us on the most curious of instruments, a glossy black Steinway Spirio Cast baby grand piano. Having recorded the first part of a duet prior to the dinner, the piano automatically played the bass line, while he duetted his past self with the treble line.
Caviar Bumps & Ice Block Glasses at The Jade Room
Returning to the St. Regis Aspen, Zachary Weiss brought together friends for a proper bop. Stepping into the lounge with an air of mystery, we’re greeted with an expansive ice wall, filled with bottles of Hennessy’s Year of the Horse limited edition cognac and tins-upon-tins of Caviar Kaspia. The photographer asked us to each take a few bumps in a row to get the image just right. I’ll admit, I had to fight away the urge to mess up each shot for just-one-more taste.
Lounging with our group in plush seating, quite low to the ground of course, servers graced us with quite the spectacle—X Press O martinis poured into oversized, hollowed ice blocks. It was the iciest and coziest of fêtes.
Wrapping an Unforgettable Trip at Hooch Cocktail Bar
“Are you going to Hooch tonight?” I can’t tell you how many times I heard this, always in a notably hushed tone. “You have to come. This is where the who’s-who of Aspen hangs out at night.”
Mysterious steps lead to a basement speakeasy with wonderfully-low lighting and lounge style vignettes for everything from hushed conversations to boisterous laughter.
Sipping on Hennessy, as I always have and always will, it was a moment for everyone to express gratitude amongst our generous hosts and new friends.
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Aspen, Colorado, United States
