Vintage Early Landed (((Bottled 2002)))
⏳ Drinking Window
Ready to enjoy upon release; will remain in peak condition indefinitely when stored upright and away from direct light.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Dark chocolate tart, blue cheese, glazed roasted duck
✨ Technical Specifications
The 'Early Landed' Cognacs of Hine represent one of the spirits world's most fascinating historical anomalies. Originating in the 19th century, this tradition involves shipping casks of young Cognac from the sunny banks of the Charente River to the damp, cool, maritime cellars of Bristol, England. The unique microclimate of these British cellars—characterized by high humidity and steady, cool temperatures—fundamentally alters the maturation process. Unlike the dry cellars of Jarnac where water evaporates faster than alcohol, the damp English cellars cause alcohol to evaporate faster, resulting in a remarkably delicate, ethereal spirit. This 1987 vintage, sourced from the chalky soils of the prestigious Grande Champagne region, was shipped to the UK shortly after distillation and matured in cask until its bottling in 2002. The result is a Cognac of exquisite finesse, boasting delicate notes of orange blossom, honey, and soft spices, far removed from the heavy, oak-dominated profiles of traditionally aged spirits.
🍾 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 Ingredient
Ugni Blanc
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
40%