Hine Rare French Cognac, Smooth & Elegant Fine Champagne Cognac, Best Enjoyed Neat, Rare Hine Cognac, Grande & Fine Region Grapes, Fruity & Floral Cognac, 70cl, 40% ABV

Product Information

This rich VSOP Cognac is best enjoyed in a traditional tulip glass as a digestif or late into the evening. It’s the perfect accompaniment for sumptuous chocolate desserts or a hot espresso. This brand was championed by everyone from Napoleon Bonaparte to Busta Rhymes. A little more on the Napoleon connection: after visiting the distillery in 1811, he reportedly began dispensing this particular spirit to his troops during the Napoleonic Wars. Given the emperor’s subsequent defeat in 1815, we’re not so sure that was such a good idea. According to legend, he also requested several casks of Courvoisier as his one luxury item upon being exiled. Multiple benchmarks would follow for this beloved and wildly successful brand. Our identity is drawn from the heart of two Premier Crus: Grande Champagne & Petite Champagne. Distillation with the lees concentrate the aromas of our white wines tenfold. Light toasted fine-grained wood barrels preserve our cognac's authentic personality that is celebrated around the world. Our British founder, Thomas Hine, chose the emblematic stag to represent Hine, most likely because of the analogy between the words Hine and hind. However legend has it that in Dorset, Thomas Hine’s home county, lived a white hart, a harbinger of good fortune and that this is why he elected the stag.

A living testament to the art of blending, Pierre Ferrand marries various vintages to harmonious effect. Striving for absolute distinction, the brand doesn’t abide by the traditional classifications of VS, VSOP, and XO. Instead, it employs unique designations and occasionally veers outside of regulatory practices. In turn, some output doesn’t fall under the official “cognac” banner, even if it’s crafted entirely from Grande Champagne grapes. Suffice it to say, every aspect of this operation emanates an artisanal vibe.Keep up with the latest trends, best stories, and crucial updates from Man of Many direct to your inbox. Shop at Courvoisier Shop at Dan Murphy’s Shop at First Choice Bisquit and Dubouché | Image: Supplied 9. Bisquit and Dubouché

A terrific VSOP from Hine, Rare is classed as Fine Champagne, meaning that the eaux-de-vie used are all from the Grande or Petite Champagne areas. Around twenty-five distinct eaux-de-vie have been used for the Hine Rare VSOP blend, made from Ugni Blanc grapes from the Grande Champagne (60%) and Petite Champagne (40%) appellations and aged six to twelve years in French Limousin oak barrels.Great balance and length carry different sensations to an impressive, very pleasant finish. There are some orchards thrown into the overall picture, sweet leather, and a final glimpse of the exceptional base wine character that is so typical for the house of Hine. When the cognac finally lands in the bottle, its adjoining age statement denotes the youngest vintage in the blend. There are three general age statements: When we think of brandy, we sometimes think of old men sipping it neat from a decorated glass tumbler while puffing on a chunky cigar. The Hine Rare VSOP was awarded gold medals in 2003 and 2007, and given 93 out of a possible 100 points by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Presentation of the Bottle

While the brand itself is much younger, the Frapin family has been crafting cognac in the town of Segonzac since 1270. Twenty generations later they’re still gaining global recognition as one of the best Cognac brands. A good starting point to get to know this brand is its Frapin 1270. This single-estate cognac was made from grapes grown, distilled, and aged all at the Frapin estate. Aged in Limousin oak barrels, we love it for the floral, fruity, vanilla-centric flavour profile. While some spirits rely on specific terms (like bottled in bond) or age statements, cognac comes in VS (aged for at least two years), VSOP (aged for at least four years), XO (aged at least ten years), XXO (aged at least 14 years), and beyond. On top of these terms, there are also other offshoots like Hors d’âge which is used to describe a cognac that has matured past the official age range. There are also other phrases like Napoleon, Reserve, Extra Cognac, and Cuvee Cognac that you might find on longer-aged expressions. How Should You Drink Cognac? As a matter of fact, Hine Rare VSOP is a perfectly versatile cognac. You could drink it with a splash of tonic water, ginger ale, or any filler of your choice, resulting in a very refreshing summer libation. These grapes must come from one of six different terroirs in the Cognac region of Southwest France.After a couple of minutes, the astringency takes a more prominent role on the palate. It reveals layers upon layers of depth, just to balance off the caramelly, raisiny fruit-sweetness. The creamy mouthfeel and texture translate into rich marzipan and white nougat. All in all, this is a rather complex tasting experience, despite this being a VSOP and not a prestige XO bottling. This iconic distillery underwent renovations at the turn of the 21st century and now ranks among the most technically advanced cognac houses. Distinguishing each expression is a brilliant sense of balance and complexity, as flavours of fruit, wood, and nuts partake in a delicate dance. Aside from Cognac brandy made in the south west of France, there's also Armagnac brandy, which comes from just a little further south than the Cognac region.

VS (Very Special) – The most common form of cognac, which has been aged for the mandatory minimum of two years. Single vintages have been our signature for decades. Each and every one of them is a liquid snapshot of a particular year, echoing the elaboration of fine wines and champagnes. It takes years for optimum natural conditions to make for a remarkable expression. Many of the biggest cognac brands have seemingly ancient histories. Grosperrin wasn’t founded until 1999. And while this makes it a baby in the cognac world, it hasn’t stopped the brand from crafting high-quality, boundary-pushing spirits in the last two decades. Unlike other cognac houses, Grosperrin simply launches its cognacs by batch number. While they vary depending on the batch, the brand is known for its slightly spicy, fruity, tobacco, and vanilla-filled cognacs.To say D’usse is a brand for the modern cognac drinker is a bit of an understatement. Founded by Jay-z and master cellar master Michel Casavecchia, it’s produced at Château du Cognac, one of the oldest cognac houses in the country. If you’re looking to try this brand, we suggest starting with D’Usse VSOP with its palate of nutty sweetness, vanilla, honey, and cinnamon sugar.