Cognac Hine Rare VSOP Fine Champagne

Presentation of Maison Hine

📜 Founded in 1763 in Jarnac by the Englishman Thomas Hine, Hine is a major player in Fine Champagne Cognac. Located at 16 Quai de l’Orangerie, the house received the prestigious “Royal Warrant” in 1962 to supply the British Royal Court.

Hine does not own its own vineyards: it collaborates with hundreds of winegrowers in the Grande and Petite Champagne crus to select eaux-de-vie of optimal quality, distilled in traditional Charentais stills and aged in carefully chosen French oak barrels.

The master blender, heir to a family know-how passed down through generations, ensures the balance and consistency of the blends, considering each cognac as “raising a child” to be guided to maturity. Hine is also one of the rare houses to combine humid and dry cellars, allowing it to express the floral finesse and woody structure of its cuvées.

Presentation of Hine Rare VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac

🥃 The Hine Rare VSOP Fine Champagne is a sophisticated cognac, made possible through the blending of at least 25 eaux-de-vie selected from the Grande and Petite Champagne crus, meeting the criteria of the Fine Champagne designation (≥ 50% Grande Champagne).

Created in 1999, this VSOP stands out with its intermediate maturation: 6 years in French oak barrels, well beyond the legal VSOP aging requirement of 4.5 years. This extended aging provides a deep amber color and exquisite roundness typical of rare cuvées.

On the nose, Hine Rare reveals notes of crème brûlée, caramel, toffee, cigar tobacco, and cocoa, enhanced by floral hints of jasmine, dried apricot, plum, and gentle honey.

On the palate, it is rich, smooth, and elegant, with dried fruits (fig, raisin), candied citrus, vanilla, and mild spices. The long, lingering finish reveals leather, orange zest, and a comforting touch of wood.

🗒️ Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep amber with golden highlights.
• Nose: Caramel, crème brûlée, toffee, floral (jasmine), tobacco, dried fruits.
• Palate: Silky, round, fruity (fig, raisin), vanilla, spices, and cocoa.
• Finish: Long and elegant, with leather, candied orange, toffee, and a subtle woody note.

🖇️ Food Pairings & Serving Suggestions

• Neat: Enjoy at room temperature in a tulip glass to fully appreciate its aromatic complexity.
• With gourmet pairings: Dark chocolate, cigars, dried fruits, tarte Tatin, or gingerbread.
• In a sophisticated cocktail: Perfect in an elegant Old Fashioned or a Highball with tonic and orange zest.

🤔 Why Choose Hine Rare VSOP Fine Champagne?

1. Fine Champagne designation: Exceptional blend guaranteeing both finesse and power.
2. Extended aging: 6 years for a richer and more complex expression than most VSOPs.
3. Elegant aromas: A perfect balance of caramel, dried fruits, spices, and floral notes.
4. Historic craftsmanship: Meticulous eau-de-vie management by a master blender trained since childhood in Jarnac.
5. Reputation & accolades: Rated 88/100 by Wine Enthusiast, compared to a leather club chair for its depth and richness.

The Hine Rare VSOP Fine Champagne 70cl is designed for experienced cognac lovers seeking a spirit that is both elegant, complex, and rich in deep aromas, while remaining accessible and well-balanced.

✅ Order your bottle on Cognac Only and discover a rare and refined cognac!

Discover all Hine products.