Hine Homage to Thomas Hine

Hine Homage to Thomas Hine 

Brandy: Cognac

From: Grande Champagne

House: Hine

Style: Blend

Colour: Amber

ABV: 40%

N: Grape must, elderflower, raisins, honey, vanilla, hints of cloves. 

M: Light body, loosens, airy, slippery. 

T: Bitter. Walnuts, coffee, quinces, honey, grape must, chocolate. 

F: Medium. Chocolate, quinces, honey, hints of elderflower. 

Comments:

A lovely, simple cognac, lots of strong but complementary flavours. Fruit, chocolate and floral notes layered very nicely over each other, with some bitter nutty flavours to add complexity. I’ve always enjoyed Hine cognacs, they’re well constructed and interesting. 

Verdict:

I like this. 

Hine Bonneuil 2008

 Hine Bonneuil 2008

Brandy: Cognac

From: Grande Champagne

House: Hine

Style: Single distillery, single vintage 

Colour: Golden

ABV: 42.7%

N: Red grapes, grape must, raisins, honey, cloves, hints of quince.  

M: Medium body, thickens slightly, slippery, warm. 

T: Sweet sour. Grape must, honey, quinces, cherries, fresh baked bread, hints of cloves. 

F: Short. Cherries, honey, fresh baked bread, coffee. 

Comments: 

A single distillery, single vineyard cognac from Hine. It’s quite distinctive, lots of cough mixture cherry flavour, along with an odd feeling of under-fermented grape. It’s not unpleasant, rather it’s oddly smooth and drinkable. The strength is hardly noticeable, other than the slightly more intense flavour notes. Anyway, I’ve spent years drinking cask strength whisky, and my taste buds are rather insensitive by now. 

Verdict:

I like this. 

Hine Antique XO

Hine Antique XO

Brandy: Cognac

From: Grande Champagne

House: Hine

Style: Blend

Colour: Amber gold

ABV: 40%

N: red grapes, honey, raisins, sesame, pears, hints of chocolate. 

M: light body, cool, loose, slippery. 

T: Sweet. Cherries, honey, chocolate, raisins, fresh baked bread, pears, raspberries. 

F: Medium. Mint, fresh baked bread, cherries, chocolate. 

Comments:

Hine is rapidly becoming one of my favourite cognac houses, along with NAUD. I find Hine cognacs sweet and gentle, but with layers of flavours. This one has cherries and chocolate, and is absolutely delicious. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

H by Hine VSOP

H by Hine VSOP

Brandy: Cognac
From: All
House: Hine
Style: Blend
Colour: Amber gold
ABV: 40%

N: cinnamon, cloves, apple blossom, lilies, peaches, merlot grapes.

M: Light body, cool, slightly astringent, loose.

T: Sweet. Peaches, apple blossom, fresh baked bread, honey, lilies, hints of cloves.

F: Short. Green tea, merlot grapes, orange peel, hints of raisins.

Comments:

An introductory expression from one of the four great cognac houses, one that I found very impressive. It's touted as one of the most floral of Hine's cognacs, and it's not just floral, it's spiced as well - heavily so. Lots of cinnamon and cloves, fruit and even the most intense note of lilies.

I must say, as far as introductory expressions go, this is extremely good. It's a mystery to me why some of the cheaper cognacs are lacklustre, after all they're meant to entice people to drink more cognac, and more expensive cognac to boot. If one is apathetic about the drink as a whole it's hardly going to make one buy more.

Anyway, here's to Hine and Frapin, two houses with extremely interesting introductory expressions. Yes, I will certainly concentrate on those in the future.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.