Jay-Z Endorses New Cognac; Still Roots for the Knicks

Last Wednesday's launch of French luxury cognac D'USSE (pronounced dew-say) drew such a powerhouse crowd that Jake Gyllenhaal was this close to slipping by incognito. Solange Knowles brought her mother Tina to the exclusive preview at the Top of the Standard, where they joined other heavy-hitters and scenesters like [Pharrell](http://www.amazon.com/Pharrell/e/B00197I5QE) Williams, Nick McCabe, Ben Bronfman, Adrienne Bailon, Eric Villency, Genevieve Jones, and DJ Kiss. In addition to serving the cognac neat known as the D'USSE Perfect Pour, famed mixologist Justin Noel also created intricate signature drinks like the Lorraine 75 and Crusader's Cross. D'Usse's most high-profile support, however, came from [Jay-Z](http://www.amazon.com/Jay-Z/e/B000APXF5M).  This marks the first time the rapper-mogul has publicly endorsed a cognac. Just in case the high-profile crowd and the panoramic view did not provide enough eye-candy, the co-owner of soon to be Brooklyn Nets brought in [flat screen TVs](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002K8Q6HG/) so the crowd could cheer on the Knicks as they battled the Miami Heat. DJ Jus Ske rocked the house all evening with ? not surprisingly ? more than a few [Jay-Z](http://www.amazon.com/Jay-Z/e/B000APXF5M) tunes.  And while the Knicks' season unfortunately came to an end that night, New Yorkers can look forward to sampling the remarkably smooth cognac when it hits shelves this summer. To read more from AVENUE Insider [click here](http://avenueinsider.com/2012/05/jay-z-endorses-new-cognac-still-roots-for-the-knicks/).     (http://nypress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/9_6347221707408887505740988_34__NYC8418-285x382.jpg)(http://nypress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/11_6347221710563575007140988_5__NYC8473-285x382.jpg)(http://nypress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/4_6347221699752637502040988_17__NYC8247-285x382.jpg)(http://nypress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2_6347221698490137501440988_4__NYC8229-285x382.jpg)