A Cognac may only be soldy when its youngest eau-de-vie reaches a minimum of two and a half years old, as of the first day of October following the harvest of the grapes.
Only the years of storage in oak barrels count to determine its age.
Once transferred into glass, the Cognac stops maturing . It stands still.
V.S (for Very Special) , also called *** (or Three Stars) is a cognac which youngest eau-de-vie is at least two and a half years old.
V.S.O.P ( for Very Superior Old Pale) , also called Reserve, is a cognac which youngest eau-de-vie is between four and a half and six and a half years old.
XO (for Extra Old ) , Napoléon, also called Hors d'âge, is a cognac which youngest eau-de-vie is at least six and a half years old.
Most Cognac houses will use Cognacs much older than those required by law, allowing X.Os to reach a minimum of twenty years old, in order to reveal their very best.
Hine - Cigar Reserve
Bernard HINE & Nicholas Freeman, the late chairman of UK Havana cigar importers, Hunters & Frankau, combined their lifetime experience to produce this unique cognac, especially created for the cigar connoisseur.
Hine - Antique XO Fine Champagne
A blend of more than 40 cognacs drawn from both the Grande and Petite Champagne districts and aged for more than one generation.
ANTIQUE XO is the house’s flagship, first blended by Thomas George HINE in 1920.
Hine - Triomphe
Created in 1888 by Edouard HINE to celebrate the victory of man over the phylloxera disease, which completely eradicated French vineyards.
An exceptional blend of over 50 selected rare cognacs, coming exclusively from the Grande Champagne district.
Hine -1981- Early Landed "Collector"
For each exceptional year, HINE sets aside casks specifically for vintages.
The Early Landed are aged in bonded cellars near Bristol (UK) under the guard of the local authority.
In 1981, Ronald Reagan succeeds Jimmy Carter, as the 40th President of the United States.
Hine -1983- Early Landed
For each exceptional year, HINE sets aside casks specifically for vintages.
The Early Landed are aged in bonded cellars near Bristol (UK) under the guard of the local authority.
In 1983, Australia won the America's cup for the first time in its history, the US having won for the last 132 years.
Hine -1975-
For each exceptional year, HINE sets aside casks specifically for vintages.
They are aged in 18th century cellars in Jarnac under two locks and keys - one belonging to HINE and the other kept by the Cognac authorities.
Hine - Talent de Thomas Hine
Created in 1991 by Bernard & Jacques HINE, the great great great great grandsons of Thomas HINE to celebrate to bicentenary of their ancestor's arrival in France. They selected their most prestigious cognac, TRIOMPHE, for this occasion.
Hine -1960- "Collector"
For each exceptional year, HINE sets aside casks specifically for vintages.
They are aged in 18th century cellars in Jarnac under two locks and keys - one belonging to HINE and the other kept by the Cognac authorities.
Hine - Mariage by Hine
In 1791 young Thomas HINE left the family home in Dorset, England for Jarnac in France to learn the language. He probably would have eventually returned home. Fate, however, intervened when he fell in love with Françoise Elisabeth, daughter of a great cognac family. He married her in 1797 and patiently learnt the art of cognac making, which he was to elevate to its highest form of expression.
Hine - Antique XO Grande Champagne
Created in 1920 by Georges HINE
90 years later, the House of HINE reinterprets Antique, now an XO Premier Cru.
Blend of more than 40 cognacs exclusively from grapes grown in Grande Champagne, the finest cru of the Cognac region.
All cognacs are aged for more than 10 years.
