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Hine is a French cognac house famous for its respectability, specializing in the production of vintage and vintage cognacs. The main sales market of the company is Great Britain, recently such directions as North America, Asia and Russia are also developing.
Brand history. Before the Dorset native, the young Thomas Hein became the founder of an elite cognac house with an impeccable reputation, he even had a chance to sit in a French prison in Château de Jarnac on charges of spying for Britain. Fortunately, the conclusion was short-lived. Upon his release, Thomas met his fate in the person of the daughter of the owner of a small company that produced cognac. After his marriage, Hine entered the business as a partner, and after the death of his father-in-law, he headed the enterprise. In 1817, the entrepreneur named the company after himself – Thomas Hine & Co.
Just a year later, Thomas died untimely, and his son Thomas George continued the family business. The young owner did a good job of managing the cognac house, establishing strong ties with Russia, Germany, Austria and the Benelux countries. It was he who came up with the idea of the corporate logo – a lying deer with branched horns.
Over the 250 years of the company’s existence, representatives of six generations of the dynasty have been at the helm. All this time they adhered to the motto of the founder of the House: “less is more”, meaning the priority of exclusivity over sales volumes. Therefore, vintage cognacs Hine Rare VSOP, Hine Antique XO, Hine Vieille Grande Champagne Cognac 1900 still remain the main brand in the brand line. Their consistently high class is guaranteed by the Quality Code – a set of production rules that were once voluntarily adopted by the Hine house.
In 1971, the Hine family decided to sell their house to the English Distillers Company. Bernard Hein still remained at the head of the company – even after it became part of the LVMH holding in 1987. When Bernard retired, none of the family members remained in the leadership of the house.
In 2003, the cognac house was acquired by the Angostura group of companies engaged in the production of rum and bitters.
Awards
International Wine & Spirit Competition:
- 2005 – gold medal (Hine Triomphe) in the Extra category;
- 2008 – 2 gold medals and Best In Class titles (Hine VSOP Rare Fine Champagne, H by Hine VSOP);
- 2012 – the highest award Gold Outstanding (Hine VSOP Rare Fine Champagne) and a silver medal (Hine Antique XO Grande Champagne Premier Cru);
- 2013 – gold (Hine Antique XO Premier Cru 20 YO) and 2 silver (Hine Rare VSOP Fine Champagne, Hine Homage to Thomas Hine’ Grand Cru 20 YO) medals.
International Vinalies:
- 2003 and 2007 – gold medals (Hine VSOP Rare Fine Champagne).
International Spirits Competition:
- 2005 – gold (Hine Rare Fine Champagne VSOP) and silver (Hine Antique XO Fine Champagne) medals.
The Global Cognac Masters:
- 2015 – gold medal (Domaines Hine Bonneuil 2005 Grande Champagne).
New York International Spirits Competition:
- 2012 – silver medal (H by Hine VSOP).
Ultimate Spirits Challenge:
- 2017 – Hine Domaine Bonneuil 2006 9 Years Old: 93 points, “Magnificent. Highest Recommendations.
Interesting Facts
Hine is the only cognac house that once became the supplier of the English royal court. This status is not given forever, it must be confirmed every five years. Having received this title in 1962, Hine retains it to this day.
The biggest cognac lover at Buckingham Palace is Prince Philip, who orders Antique XO, Triomphe and Hine Early Landed Vintage Grande Champagne Cognac 1962 most often.
Types of cognac Hine
Hine Antique XO Grande Champagne, 40%
Created in 1920 by George Hein premium quality cognac. After 90 years, the cognac house has released a new interpretation of the drink that has already become a classic: only spirits originating from the most valuable Grand Champagne cru region are used for the vintage blend. Distinguished by the aromatic richness of the bouquet, built on a combination of sweet fruity and fresh floral notes. The palette of taste appears gradually: shades of chocolate and baked apple make their debut, gradually giving way to hazelnuts, fig jam, delicate nuances of oak and tobacco.
Hine Rare Fine Champagne VSOP, 40%
One of the most titled cognacs of the brand. The blend includes more than 20 spirits supplied from the noble cru Petit and Grand Champagne. The share of the latter is 60%, which makes it possible to classify the drink as Fin Champagne. The bouquet is rich in fruity aromas typical of white wines produced from the Charente vines. It has a recognizable taste, in which the main role is played by the freshness of melon and the warm tones of nectarines. At the international tasting competition Ultimate Spirits Challenge, he was among the finalists with 95 points and an “Extraordinary. Absolute recommendations.”
Hine Cigar Reserve, 40%
Blend of 20 spirits obtained from grapes of three sub-regions: Fin Bois, Petit and Grand Champagne. Created by Bernard Hine at the request of Cuban cigar distributor Nicholas Freeman. The combination of their efforts resulted in a drink with a strong character, which is the perfect duet with Cuaba cigars. It reveals a rich range of exotic aromas: mango, macadamia nuts, roasted coffee beans, cigar humidor and white pepper. The taste is rich honey with pronounced woody and spicy notes. Closer to the finish, tones of almonds, tobacco leaf and licorice appear.
Hine Domaines Bonneuil Grande Champagne 2005, 40%
The first brandy, which was produced using the company’s own vineyards Hine, located near the town of Bonney. A vintage cognac made from spirits obtained from Ugni Blanc grapes harvested in 2005. Only 18 barrels of spirits have been selected for the limited edition by master blender Eric Forget. France, Russia, the USA and the UK were the first to evaluate the novelty, where the release was presented in October 2014. The very next year, the drink received the approval of an authoritative expert jury at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 93 points and the characteristic “Great. Highest Recommendations. The aroma is very fresh, with notes of herbs, green apple, autumn leaves and vanilla. The taste is enriched by the added hints of ripe quince, pineapple and caramel cream.
H by Hine VSOP, 40%
Cognac category Fine Champagne, blended from 15 spirits, the youngest spirit is aged 4 years. Aromas of blooming acacia, jasmine, fresh apricots add lightness to the bouquet. It is drunk softly, sweet tones prevail in the taste: cane sugar, vanilla, milk chocolate. In 2017, at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, he received 95 points and earned the rating “Extraordinary. Exceptional Recommendations. Manufacturer’s recommendations: Serve slightly chilled or “on ice”, with tonic water or ginger ale. Works well as a base for cocktails.
Hine Vintage Grande Champagne 1975, 40%
A vintage cognac made only from 1975 grapes. It has a masculine character: the bouquet is dominated by tannins and spices, enhanced by aromas of cigar leaf, cloves, fresh oak bark. The taste is powerful with a lingering spicy aftertaste. The manufacturer recommends tasting cognac in its pure form, perhaps supplementing it with a good cigar.
