Hine Rare Cognac 750ml

Hine is a Cognac house founded in 1763 in Jarnac, on the banks of the Charente, when the English-born Thomas Hine arrived to work for a local producer and eventually married into the family, giving the house his name. Now in its sixth generation of family involvement, Hine has built its reputation on transparency in sourcing, drawing eaux-de-vie almost exclusively from the Grande and Petite Champagne crus rather than blending across the wider region.

Rare VSOP is a Fine Champagne Cognac, meaning its eaux-de-vie come entirely from Grande and Petite Champagne, with the majority drawn from Grande Champagne. The blend combines roughly twenty to twenty-five separate eaux-de-vie made from Ugni Blanc grapes, double distilled on the lees for added creaminess, then aged between six and twelve years in French Limousin and Tronçais oak.

The nose opens with jasmine and acacia alongside ripe peach and apricot, with soft vanilla spice underneath. On the palate, honey and orange zest give way to a creamy, almost brioche-like texture, with hazelnut and a whisper of dark chocolate carrying through to a long, gently spiced finish. It suits sipping neat, though its structure holds up well in a classic Sidecar.