Hine Antique XO Premier Cru

Wonderful just wonderful, this would go great with a nice Cuban cigar. Both will perfectly complement each other. That bouquet of flowers and fruits it’s just so nuanced and it’s such a layered dram. But still my favourite XO Cognac is Camus Borderies because that’s stuff is so fragrant and perfume like in its nose and on the taste it just explodes in joy and this has some elements of Camus but it’s still my top cognac nothing has bested it yet.

18th January 2022

N: Smells sweet and woody [nice oak levels], with the obligatory sweet vanillas. Also there’s oily spearmint chewing gum.
T: Some sweet aniseed and frangipane but otherwise its a very easy soft drinker in need of a backbone. Perversely, its better, more permeating with water.
F: Marzipan, hints of bourbon candy [medicinal <<sweet] with a touch of root beer and burned vanillas.
C: Enjoyable but totally lacking in body.

Scores a 79

1st February 2016

Very best I ever tasted. Made my trip back to the states easier.

7th March 2015

Just had an impromptu tasting with one of my reps - very delicate front pallete, richness and maltiness coming through as raw nuts for myself, bit of the licquorice notes after a couple of minutes after it initially settles down. Then came the honey, and the leather, it was like charring honey onto the pre charred barrels. Once the liquid itself is gone and you think youve had the experience - let the balloon sit for 5 mins, then stick your nose into it again, wait another 5, and go again, do that easily for half an hour after you have consumed your share, and then keep dipping your nose in to get the full array of everything this beauty has to offer. Highly recommend!

26th March 2014

Best Cognac I have tasted.
(Second best is "Grönstedts National" from a year when it was good.)
Smooth and full-bodied.
Not much nose at all when cold, only a slight one when luke warm.
Very good cold, but wonderful if you add some of your warmth to it (heat the glass with your palm).

22nd January 2013