A recently relaunched XO sourced from Grande and Petite Champagne, this is a Cognac to woo whisky lovers, with smoky oak, dried fruit and stewed plum, moving into slightly austere tobacco leaf, clove and liquorice. At the richer and more wood-driven end of the spectrum – and a fine example of that style. Alc 40% If you’re looking for something truly special, however, the spectacular Hennessy XO x Kim Jones edition will certainly make your drinks cabinet pop. The maison partnered with the Dior artistic director in early 2023 to create a capsule collection featuring two decanters, as well as a pair of sneakers.

Founded in 1763 by Englishman, Thomas Hine, Hine is highly regarded around the world for its refined and complex expressions, as well as the House’s impressive collection of single vintage Cognacs. Find out more about Hine Cognac and our trip to Maison Hine here Tasting Notes: Hine Cognac H by Hine VSOP Cognac At Kelt, they believe this influence is crucial to the liquid, which is why the brand takes its barrels on a 90-day sea journey around the world before bottling. Kelt considers this its own essential stage of maturation and means it can offer the original taste of exported cognac. The highly regarded Kelt XO Tour du Monde (Tour of the World) shows there is method in the madness. Cognac is a specific type of brandy, made from distilled white wine. However, just as all champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is champagne; all cognac is brandy, but not all brandy is cognac... you follow? Courvoisier is also one of the most experimental of the great Cognac houses. The house recently revealed an experimental cognac aged in rare Japanese mizunara oak casks. These exceptionally rare casks are prized among distillers for their ability to impart a particular spice to a spirit. Due to its slow growth and tendency to twist, the oak itself is in very short supply. More recently, Martell released an ultra-rare cognac, Assemblage du Lapin, in honor of the Lunar New Year. The special release features the house’s most precious blend, L’Or de Jean Martell 1715, mixed with rare vintage eaux-de-vie that were distilled in past Years of the Rabbit.Camus is one of the few cognac brands to have remained independent since opening in 1863, and it is fiercely proud of it. Having operated with the same philosophy through five generations, Camus offers its band of loyal consumers an unrivaled level of consistency. Blossom, peach, cinnamon, Danish pastry, Crêpes Suzette, grapes, warm prunes and melted butter flood the nose with maddening and mouth-watering occasion. Taste Our British founder, Thomas Hine, chose the emblematic stag to represent Hine, most likely because of the analogy between the words Hine and hind. However legend has it that in Dorset, Thomas Hine’s home county, lived a white hart, a harbinger of good fortune and that this is why he elected the stag. Maurice Hennessy is reputed to have created the Extra Old (XO) term more than 150 years ago, and this remains, for many, the epitome of the style. We’re leaving delicacy behind here and moving into powerful, rich and spicy territory, with lots of wood-driven smoke and tangy, dried fruit. Dark chocolate, clove and peppercorn come through on a robust and well-structured palate. Alc 40%

The taste is refined and elegant with dry cedar notes and a very light, white blossom honey. Suggested Serve The family believes cognac should be strong and aromatic, which is reflected in the brand’s powerful blends. Blended with eaux-de-vie exclusively from the premier cru, Grande Champagne, this Hine XO Antique Grande Champagne Cognac is innovation, a relic from the times of Georges Hine brought to life for the modern Cognac connoisseur. The recipe was developed in 1920 by Hine himself, and was relaunched in 2010 by the Cognac house as a single cru XO. The 40 different Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie have been aged for a minimum of 10 years in traditional French Limousin oak casks, a homage to Hine’s heritage and the Cognac house’s history of fine craftsmanship.Finally, we’d like to clarify that we’ve listed the best cognacs that are easy to find in the list above. After all, Courvoisier, Hennessy, Martell, and Rémy Martin represent 90% of the market in the USA. Indeed, cognac can be found in just about any liquor or convenience store with a license. However, while the quantity is certainly there, quality is another matter entirely. This traditional XO with a modern design is a celebration of both old and new, a new and exciting experience in the present that simultaneously pays its respects to the past. This elegant XO releases aromas of sweet vanilla, ripe green fruits with some delicate earthy tones punctuating the sweet and fruity notes, a perpetual play between fruit and oak. Only purchasable at The Orangerie at Maison Hine in Cognac, France. Hine Antique XO Premier Cru Cognac