Hine XO 750ML

Hine XO 750ML is a Grande Champagne Cognac bottled at 40% ABV, blending approximately 40 eaux-de-vie each aged a minimum of ten years. What distinguishes this expression is its exclusive use of grapes from Grande Champagne — the most prized growing region in Cognac — and a heritage tracing back to a private family blend first created by Georges Hine in 1920.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Grande Champagne, Cognac, France  |  XO (minimum 10 years)  |  Distillery: Thomas Hine & Co

Production & Heritage

Thomas Hine & Co has deep roots in the Cognac region, with the house headquartered in Jarnac along the Charente River. Georges Hine originally created this blend in 1920 as a private reserve of old Fine Champagne Cognacs for his family — at a time when the prevailing fashion favored younger, fresher spirits. He affectionately referred to the casks of mature vintage Cognacs as "antiques." In its modern form, Hine XO has been upgraded from its original Fine Champagne designation to Grande Champagne, meaning every one of the roughly 40 component eaux-de-vie comes exclusively from the premier cru of Cognac. Each is aged a minimum of ten years before blending.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe hazelnut and quince, evolving into mild spices and fig tart. Deeper layers reveal jasmine, blonde tobacco, oak, and vanilla.

Taste: The entry is soft and fruity, moving to crème fraîche and toffee at mid-palate with a pronounced jasmine thread. As it develops, the Cognac takes on fuller weight with suggestions of leather, oriental spices, and sandalwood — a profile that is both deep and satisfying.

Finish: Long, smooth, and dry with a lingering hint of nutmeg. The warmth tapers gradually, leaving behind a quiet spice note and subtle oak tannin.

How to Drink Hine XO

A Cognac of this age and complexity rewards patient sipping — neat in a tulip glass at room temperature, or with a few drops of water to open the aromatic range. A single large ice cube also works without dulling the Grande Champagne character.

In cocktails, Hine XO brings a layered depth: a Vieux Carré benefits from its spice and leather notes alongside rye and sweet vermouth; a Sidecar gains elegance from the jasmine and toffee undertones; and a Sazerac variation using this Cognac in place of rye foregrounds its sandalwood and dried fruit complexity.

Best For

• After-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate or dried fruit
• Gifting a Cognac enthusiast who appreciates single-region expressions
• Building a comparative Grande Champagne tasting flight
• Marking a milestone celebration with a historically significant blend

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hine XO taste like? Hine XO delivers a full-bodied palate of crème fraîche, toffee, and jasmine up front, shifting to leather, oriental spices, and sandalwood with a long, dry finish accented by nutmeg.

How does Hine XO compare to Hennessy XO? Both occupy a similar price tier and carry XO designations, but Hine XO sources exclusively from Grande Champagne — Cognac's top-rated growing area — while Hennessy XO blends eaux-de-vie from multiple crus. The result is a generally more floral, refined profile in the Hine versus the broader, richer character typical of Hennessy XO.

Is Hine XO good for sipping neat? Yes — the ten-plus years of aging smooth the spirit considerably, and the 40% ABV is approachable without water, making it an ideal neat-sipping Cognac.

Where is Hine XO made? Hine XO is produced by Thomas Hine & Co in Jarnac, in the heart of France's Cognac region, using eaux-de-vie sourced exclusively from the Grande Champagne sub-region.

What foods pair well with Hine XO? Aged Comté or Gruyère cheese complements the nutty, toffee notes; dark chocolate with sea salt mirrors the dry, spiced finish; foie gras echoes the rich, full-bodied texture; roasted figs or quince paste highlight the fruit aromatics; and a walnut tart reinforces the hazelnut character on the nose.

What sizes does Hine XO come in? The standard size is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Hine XO worth the price? Hine XO positions as a premium XO Cognac, competing directly with well-known names at comparable price points but distinguishing itself through its single-region Grande Champagne sourcing and a complex blend of approximately 40 eaux-de-vie — strong value relative to other Grande Champagne-exclusive XO bottlings.

Why Hine XO?

The defining strength of Hine XO is its exclusive Grande Champagne provenance — an upgrade from the blend's earlier Fine Champagne classification that now places every component eaux-de-vie in the highest-ranked terroir of the Cognac appellation. The recipe descends directly from Georges Hine's 1920 family reserve, a blend assembled at a time when aged Cognacs were an unconventional choice. With roughly 40 eaux-de-vie in the blend and a minimum ten-year maturation, the result is a Cognac with genuine depth — leather, sandalwood, jasmine, toffee — that stands apart from many multi-cru XO expressions in its precision and floral elegance.