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It wasn't the usual setting you would expect to find two of dancehall's most influential figures, dancer and digital creator Aaliyah 'Lee Notnice' Nixon, and entertainer Ding Dong.

But on World Cognac Day, on June 4, they joined a select group inside the Proven building in St Andrew for an intimate guided tasting hosted by Select Brands and Moet Hennessy.

The event, which paired fine cognac with a curated Jamaican menu, may have had French origins, but its energy was distinctly local.

The invitation wasn't just about the drink. It was about what Hennessy represents in Jamaican culture.

"Hennessy is just a Jamaican thing," Lee Notnice said plainly, swirling a glass of XO. "It's in the music, it's in the parties, it's just what we do. I love Hennessy, it's my go-to."

That sense of ownership came through in every bite, every pour, and every reaction throughout the night.

Lee was honest about it being her first time at a pairing event like this, but she didn't need much convincing.

"I think I had about 15 of the rib skewers," she laughed. "They were really nice. And I think it was my first time trying XO. It's smooth, man. Real smooth."

Ding Dong was quick to explain that his presence at the event wasn't random.

"They wanted the elites," he joked. "Four different people from the organisation reached out. They said, 'Ding, we need you here.' So I made the time."

The entertainer, who is known for fusing dance and energy into every performance, brought the same charisma to the event. "The vibe tonight? Rich. But not rich like money, rich in feeling, in link-up, in connection. You have people from France, people from here. Everybody just vibing."

Ding Dong's personal Hennessy preferences vary by mood. "If it's a regular chill, I'm going Hennessy Pure White. Cool and easy. If it's a party? Depends on the vibe, I'll do VSOP or regular Hennessy. It all works."

At one point in the evening, a DJ dropped a track featuring Ding Dong himself, an unreleased song called Hello Summer with a full verse dedicated to Hennessy. "I don't know how the DJ got it," he said, laughing. "But just know, it's the summer anthem. Nobody not topping that."