1er Cru XO
⏳ Drinking Window
As a fully matured XO Cognac, it is bottled at its peak of complexity and does not require further aging, though it will remain in pristine condition for decades if stored correctly.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Dark chocolate desserts, aged Gouda cheese, roasted duck
✨ Technical Specifications
Hine's Antique XO Premier Cru is a masterclass in the art of Cognac blending, drawing its eaux-de-vie exclusively from the chalky, sun-drenched hills of Grande Champagne, the undisputed premier cru of the region. Originally created in 1920 by Georges Hine, this expression was later reimagined as a single-appellation Premier Cru to showcase the ultimate finesse, structure, and longevity of Grande Champagne. The blend comprises dozens of different eaux-de-vie aged for a minimum of a decade in French oak casks. Legend has it that the house's meticulous attention to detail stems from its Anglo-French heritage, blending British precision with French terroir. The result is a complex spirit boasting notes of candied fruits, honey, baked spices, and a delicate touch of leather and licorice, underpinned by the signature floral elegance that defines the house of Hine.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1763 along the banks of the Charente River in Jarnac, Thomas Hine & Co. represents one of Cognac's most distinguished artisanal houses, underscored by being the sole cognac house to hold a British Royal Warrant since 1962. Hine centers its philosophy on the premier crus of Grande and Petite Champagne, farming 115 hectares across the chalk-dominant, undulating hillsides of Bonneuil under certified sustainable practices (HVE and CEC). Under long-standing Cellar Master Eric Forget, the house champions the belief that monumental cognac begins as pristine white wine. Vinified exclusively from Ugni Blanc, the wines undergo double distillation on fine lees in traditional Charentais copper pot stills, followed by aging in lightly toasted, fine-grained French oak casks to preserve floral vivacity and mineral nuance. Renowned for its single-estate and single-vintage bottlings, Hine is celebrated globally for benchmarks such as Antique XO Premier Cru, Homage Grand Cru, and its legendary Early Landed vintages matured in humid British cellars.
🍇 Base Material
Ugni Blanc
🍷 ABV
40%