Description
Hine XO 1er Cru is a single-cru cognac made only from Grande Champagne, the first growth of the Cognac region. The grapes come from the house’s own estate vineyards.
Every eau-de-vie in the blend has aged for at least 10 years. Hine distills on the lees, twice, for extra texture. The spirit then matures in fine-grained, lightly toasted oak in the Jarnac cellars. That light toast lets the fruit speak first.
Cellar Master Eric Forget created the blend with his deputy, Paul Szersnovicz. The house itself dates to 1763, when Thomas Hine came from England to learn cognac making in Jarnac.
Warm the glass in your hand and you will meet dried apricot, ginger and cinnamon. The palate turns floral, with candied orange peel and touches of honey and spice. The finish is long and silky, with a soft floral note.
Use a tulip glass and give the cognac a few minutes to breathe. It is a lovely after-dinner pour beside dark chocolate, crème brûlée or roasted almonds. Choose it when you want a graceful, floral XO rather than a heavy, oaky one.
