A lot of new Cognac releases have been showing up as 2025 draws to a close, many of which are geared specifically to the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year celebration marking the Year of the Horse. Some of these are very good, but one of the best expressions quietly arrived this fall, a 50-year-old 1975 vintage from the esteemed Cognac house Hine.
The House of Hine was founded in 1763 in Jarnac, France by its namesake Thomas Hine, an Englishman who moved to France to learn how to make Cognac. Today, the core lineup consists of VSOP, “Rare,” and XO expressions, and from there the portfolio moves into more limited single estate and vintage bottlings, some of which are aged for decades. That is the case with Hine 1975, a vintage release of Grande Champagne eau-de-vie sourced from a single plot that was overseen by cellar master Paul Szersnovicz, who says the year yielded one of the greatest Cognac vintages of the 20th century. “Exceptional climatic conditions fostered grapes of perfect balance and aromatic depth, resulting in an eau-de-vie of extraordinary quality,” he said in a statement. “This remarkable year can be summed up in one word: balance. A summer of moderate yet consistent warmth encouraged an ideal concentration of sugars in the grapes. Steady hydration throughout the growing season supported optimal development of both the vines and the fruit. The harvested grapes were rich in sugar while retaining their remarkable acidity.”
The Cognac was aged for matured for 50 years in the Hine cellars in lightly toasted French oak barrels before bottling, and the resulting liquid is fantastic. The palate veers toward the drier end of the spectrum, with flavors like oak, spice, and a bit of mint. But that is counterbalanced by some sweeter notes of ripe and dried stone and tropical fruit, along with a bit of vanilla and a hint of maple.
The decanter for Hine 1975 was designed by French artist Manon Briquet de Valon in partnership with the porcelain house Bernardaud. As mentioned before, this is the first in a series of vintages that Hine will release, and each subsequent bottle will also be designed by Briquet de Valon. Only 500 decanters were produced, which can be purchased in one of two formats. Timeless Poetry (SRP $5,500) comes in a presentation box designed by Atelier Créanog (450 of these are available). If you’re looking to splurge a bit, the Timeless Ritual version (SRP $10,100) comes with two crystal tasting glasses, a Bernardaud porcelain tray and coasters, and a wooden base designed by artist Robin Françoise (just 50 of these are available). You can find Hine 1975 at retailers like Astor Wines now, and the rest of the collection is available at websites like ReserveBar.
Authors
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Jonah Flicker