Hine

Thomas Hine was originally from Dorset and came out to Cognac, aged only 19, in 1791. He joined a local Cognac firm, married the owner`s daughter and became a partner in the firm. Later on, the house took his name to become Thomas Hine & Co.

Hine's acknowledged expertise lies in the field of Grande Champagne vintage Cognacs— particularly single-cask Cognacs. Hine has an impressive collection of vintages, from the beginning of the last century, kept in locked cellars at the Quai de L’Orangerie. Hine also initiated the concept of making such rarities commercially available throughout the world.

Another Hine speciality is their concentration on the maturing of so-called “early-landed” Cognacs. This custom dates to the 19th century, when they first shipped selected vintage Grande Champagne Cognacs in cask to Bristol, in England. Nowadays, Hine still ships some of its single vintage Cognacs to the UK (and is one of a very rare few estates who continue this tradition) after they have spent several months ageing in new oak barrels in Jarnac.

Cool, dark cellars house barely a hundred barrels of early-landed Cognac (a barrel is the equivalent volume to around 350 bottles). Here, the ageing conditions are quite different from those in Jarnac as the temperature is low and the high humidity level rarely drops below 95%. These factors ensure that Hine's early-landed Cognacs are particularly light and fruity with very delicate oaky notes, and delightful aromas of fresh flowers and the characteristic orange peel.

In Jarnac, the River Charente is close to the Chai des Millésimes — and this is the only point in common with the cellar conditions in Bristol: the humidity level is completely different, varying between 70 and 90%. The cellar is just two metres below the level of the Charente and subject to temperature fluctuations which can vary between 6.5°C in winter and 20.5°C during the summer. The ageing conditions in the Chai des Millésimes in Jarnac lend the Cognacs greater complexity and structure; with a richer bouquet, more pronounced oaky notes and the much prized “rancio”, so characteristic of old Cognacs.

For the last 20 years, Cellar Master Eric Forget has been the custodian to these casks, and his encyclopaedic knowledge ensure he can always select the best Cognac to become a coveted single cask. Each cask is personally tested by him during an annual inventory check and particularly good vintages are set aside for private clients. He also spends a great deal of time looking to the future and protecting the environment for future generations. In Eric’s words, “we must change everything”. A recent project includes looking for a grape besides Ugni Blanc to make Cognac from – one that is more well-suited to the rising temperatures.

Rigorous grape selection, low yields, high quality control during winemaking, traditional distillation, extended ageing in seasoned oak barrels and an evaporation rate of 2 to 3% each year, result in small quantities of the finest Cognac. In the 1990s, Hine released only a few thousand bottles of 1914, 1938, 1948, 1952, 1953, 1957, 1960, 1961, 1975 vintages (1957, 1960 and 1975 were particularly exceptional), whilst in the early 2000’s vintage Cognacs from 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, were released.