Hine Rare V.S.O.P Fine Champagne Cognac

A highly awarded Fine Champagne VSOP, blended from over 25 aged eaux-de-vie sourced entirely from the Grande and Petite Champagne crus.

At-a-Glance:

Historical Context

The Hine Cognac House, established in 1763, is defined by its English heritage and dedication to producing elegant, delicate Cognacs.² The founder, Thomas Hine, left Dorset to learn the trade and married into a French Cognac family in 1796.³ The "Rare" VSOP expression is the core of the Hine portfolio and is categorized as a Fine Champagne Cognac.⁴

The "Fine Champagne" designation is crucial and legally protected, meaning the eaux-de-vie used in the blend are sourced exclusively from the two most prestigious growing areas (crus) in the Cognac region: Grande Champagne (contributing 60% or more) and Petite Champagne. This sourcing guarantees the blend's finesse, rich, flowery aromas, and excellent ageing potential. The Hine house specializes in Cognacs from these two areas.

The blend itself is a marriage of around 25 distinct eaux-de-vie, typically aged between six and twelve years in French Limousin oak barrels, significantly exceeding the four-year minimum requirement for the Very Superior Old Pale (VSOP) designation. The Hine Rare VSOP has received numerous Gold and Double Gold medals, solidifying its reputation as a benchmark VSOP in the Fine Champagne category.

2. Technical Specification & Variant Map

The Hine Rare VSOP is highly awarded and consistently produced as a Fine Champagne blend.

2.1 Documented variants:

• 40% ABV/70cl is the standard UK and European format.
• 40% ABV/75cl is common in US export markets.
• The blend composition is a Fine Champagne blend, with 60% Grande Champagne and 40% Petite Champagne eaux-de-vie.
• The liquid is aged in French Limousin oak barrels.

Variant Matrix:

2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist:

The label must clearly state "Rare VSOP" and "Fine Champagne Cognac." The 40% ABV strength is standard. The bottle should be inspected for the presence of a gift box, which is common for this expression. The spirit is double distilled with the lees to achieve remarkable smoothness and aromatic richness.

2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes:

The liquid is Cognac, a specific type of Brandy protected by Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC). VSOP means the youngest component is aged a minimum of four years, though the Hine blend is typically older (6 to 12 years).⁷ Fine Champagne is a legally regulated designation of quality.

3. Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)

The profile is delicate, fruity, and highly elegant, characteristic of Fine Champagne.

Nose: Strong and vibrant, opening with aromas of roasted nectarines, ripe apricots and succulent melon. This is followed by dried fruit and flowers, with developing notes of orange resin, oak, and vanilla, giving it a mature feel.

Palate: Beautifully expressing the fruity flavours characteristic of the Charente vines. The texture is velvety, conveying hints of oak and vanilla that give excellent structure. Notes of ginger, chocolate, and orange slowly fade.

Finish: A finish of dried fruits, which is smooth and satisfying.

With water: Not applicable at 40% ABV.

4. Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)

The Hine Rare VSOP is a core, highly accessible premium Cognac with stable retail pricing.

Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer.

Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): 57.89 GBP.

Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): 40.00 GBP (Mar 2024, 1L), 30.00 GBP (Unspecified date, 70cl).

Pricing stratification: The 70cl bottle trades reliably at retail for approximately 57.00 GBP. Auction prices are low (circa 30.00 GBP - 40.00 GBP), reflecting high liquidity and its status as a widely available core range product.

Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is high globally. Sourcing is simple due to its status as a core, widely distributed VSOP expression.

Price Snapshot:

Distillery/Bottler Snapshot

Hine is a prestigious Cognac house that focuses exclusively on eaux-de-vie from the Grande and Petite Champagne crus (Fine Champagne). The house specializes in elegance, delicacy, and the complex art of blending. The Rare VSOP is a core component of their portfolio, representing a high-quality, aged spirit that has won numerous gold medals at international competitions. Hine maintains a dedication to using lightly toasted, fine-grained oak barrels, allowing the spirit's fruit notes to remain prominent.⁸

Sourcing

• Target formats/eras to prefer: The 70cl bottle is the standard. Focus on securing the best retail pricing rather than auction sourcing.
• Red flags to avoid: Avoid bottles with low fill levels, as this is a common consumption product, and defects are unwarranted.
• Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Standard excellent condition is expected.
• Margin/velocity expectations - qualitative: High velocity expected. Margin is low but steady due to reliable consumer demand.