A Cognac may be sold only 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.
A Napoleon, or X.O (for Extra Old ), 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 - 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.









