Hine Cigar XO Reserve 750ML

Hine Cigar XO Reserve 750ML is a 40% ABV Cognac specifically blended to pair with premium cigars, composed of twenty eaux-de-vie aged over ten years. As the only cognac house holding the Royal Warrant as official supplier to the British Monarchy — an honor granted in 1962 — Hine brings rare institutional pedigree to this singular expression.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Jarnac, Cognac, France  |  XO (10+ years)  |  Distillery: Thomas Hine & Co.

Production & Heritage

Thomas Hine & Co. was founded in 1763 in Jarnac, in the heart of the Cognac region. The Cigar Reserve expression was conceived by Bernard Hine in collaboration with Nicholas Freeman of cigar merchants Hunters & Frankau, with the explicit goal of finding a cognac that could stand alongside the most expressive cigars without being overwhelmed. What distinguishes this bottling within the Hine portfolio is its use of Fins Bois eaux-de-vie alongside Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne — the only expression in the range to incorporate all three crus. Fins Bois contributes concentrated flavors and a robust aromatic backbone that gives the blend its distinctive weight and intensity, while the Grande and Petite Champagne components supply finesse and length. Twenty individual eaux-de-vie, each aged a minimum of ten years in oak barrels, are married together in the final blend.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep amber in the glass, the nose opens with pronounced tobacco leaf and fresh black pepper before shifting into warmer registers of honey, walnut, and lightly toasted oak. A subtle sweetness from dried fruit lingers beneath the spice.

Taste: The entry is round and generous, with sweet spices and honeyed fruit meeting the palate first. At mid-palate, dried figs and plums emerge alongside a subtle trace of dark chocolate, while fresh pepper and tobacco reassert themselves as the blend builds toward its peak. The overall impression is one of concentrated richness balanced by enough acidity to keep the flavors from cloying.

Finish: Long and lingering, with a delicate interplay of warm spice, tobacco, and soft oak tannins. The warmth recedes gradually, leaving a clean, slightly peppery aftertaste that invites the next sip — or the next draw from a cigar.

How to Drink Cigar Reserve

This cognac was purpose-built for neat sipping at room temperature, ideally in a tulip glass that concentrates the aromatic layers. A few drops of water can open up the honey and fruit notes for those who prefer a softer entry. Vieux Carré: The tobacco and walnut character adds complexity to this rye-and-cognac classic. Sidecar: The dried-fruit sweetness and spice backbone stand up beautifully against Cointreau and fresh lemon. Sazerac (Cognac variation): The original Sazerac called for cognac, and the peppery weight of Cigar Reserve anchors the drink with authority.

Best For

• Pairing with a premium cigar after a celebratory dinner
• Gifting a cognac or cigar aficionado who appreciates purpose-driven blends
• Slow evening sipping as a standalone digestif
• Building a cognac collection that spans classic and specialty expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cigar Reserve taste like? Hine Cigar XO Reserve delivers a rich palate of dried figs, plums, honey, and dark chocolate layered over tobacco leaf and fresh pepper. The finish is long and warmly spiced with lingering oak.

How does Cigar Reserve compare to Courvoisier XO? Both are XO-grade cognacs blending multiple aged eaux-de-vie, but Cigar Reserve is specifically formulated for cigar pairing and uniquely incorporates Fins Bois alongside Grande and Petite Champagne for added weight and intensity. Courvoisier XO leans more toward floral and vanilla notes, making it the more conventional sipper of the two.

Is Cigar Reserve good for sipping neat? Absolutely — it was designed first and foremost for neat consumption alongside cigars, with enough aromatic complexity and a sufficiently long finish to reward unhurried drinking.

Where is Cigar Reserve made? Hine Cigar XO Reserve is produced by Thomas Hine & Co. in Jarnac, France, in the heart of the Cognac appellation. Its eaux-de-vie are sourced from three designated Cognac crus: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, and Fins Bois.

What foods pair well with Cigar Reserve? Dark chocolate truffles amplify the cocoa undertones; aged Comté or Gruyère cheese echoes the nutty, toasted character; fig tart or plum cake mirrors the dried-fruit notes; roasted walnuts complement the nutty aromatics; and crème brûlée provides a creamy counterpoint to the peppery spice.

What sizes does Cigar Reserve come in? Hine Cigar XO Reserve is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Cigar Reserve worth the price? Cigar Reserve positions as a premium XO cognac in the upper-mid tier of the market, and its niche purpose — a twenty-component blend engineered for cigar pairing — gives it a clear identity that justifies the premium over standard XO bottlings for drinkers who value that specificity.

Why Cigar Reserve?

Few cognacs are blended with a single, declared purpose in mind. Hine Cigar XO Reserve exists because Bernard Hine and cigar specialist Nicholas Freeman set out to solve a specific problem: finding a cognac robust enough to complement a powerful cigar without losing its own character. The inclusion of Fins Bois eaux-de-vie — unique within the Hine range — gives the blend a concentrated, aromatic intensity that most XO cognacs, built predominantly from Grande and Petite Champagne, simply do not possess. Backed by a house that has held the Royal Warrant since 1962, this is a specialty bottling with serious credentials behind it.