Hine Cigar Reserve XO Cognac
Hine Cigar Reserve XO is an 80-proof (40% ABV), 750mL XO cognac from Thomas Hine & Co. in Jarnac, France — created in 1996 by sixth-generation chairman Bernard Hine and Nicholas Freeman, Britain's great Cuban cigar importer, as a cognac robust enough to stand up to a fine Havana. A blend of 20 to 25+ eaux-de-vie from four crus — Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, and Fins Bois — matured over 12 years in French oak, it is Hine's most powerful cognac and the only Hine expression to include Fins Bois. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL (US market); gift box
- Age: XO; 20–25+ eaux-de-vie matured 12+ years in French oak
- Origin: Jarnac, Cognac, France; Thomas Hine & Co. (house founded 1763)
- Crus: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois — the only Hine with Fins Bois
Blended for the Havana Hour
Bernard Hine and Nicholas Freeman spent a decade sharing cognacs and cigars before they blended one for the pairing: Cigar Reserve, launched 1996, built "strong like a Havana, yet incredibly balanced." The Fins Bois component — round, fruity, and fast-maturing — gives it a generosity the Grande Champagne spine alone wouldn't, while 12+ years in Jarnac cellars keep it elegant. The house tasting note promises a Gauguin-like journey through precious wood and sweet cinnamon. For cognac drinkers who smoke, this is the bottle; for those who don't, it's still one of the great robust XOs.
Tasting Notes
Per the house: deep amber; exotic aromas of tobacco, sweet fruit, precious wood, and sweet cinnamon. Rich and corpulent on the palate — fresh pepper, tobacco, walnut, honey, and lightly toasted notes — with a long, elegant finish.
How to Enjoy
Neat, in a tulip glass, alongside a fine cigar — that is the entire design brief. Without the cigar, it is a commanding after-dinner pour. Compare it with other XOs to taste what Fins Bois brings to the blend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called "Cigar Reserve"?
It was created specifically to pair with fine Havana cigars — a collaboration between Hine's chairman and Britain's leading Cuban cigar importer.
What makes it different from other Hine cognacs?
It is Hine's most powerful expression and the only one in the range that includes Fins Bois eaux-de-vie.
How old is the blend?
XO grade with 20–25+ eaux-de-vie matured over 12 years in French oak in Hine's Jarnac cellars.
Explore more Hine Cognac and our cognac collection. The Havana hour starts here — order Hine Cigar Reserve XO online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.