Hine Antique XO Cognac Premier Cru, 100% Grande Champagne Grapes, Rich & Sophisticated Hine Cognac, Aged 20 Years In French Oak Casks, Very Rich & Fruity Grande Champagne Cognac, 70cl, 40% ABV

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Although the drink itself is over 100 years old, the bottle plays a big part in this cognac’s price. Made with 6,500 diamonds and two precious metals, the bottle is as much a work of art as it is a container. Single vintages have been our signature for decades. Each and every one of them is a liquid snapshot of a particular year, echoing the elaboration of fine wines and champagnes. It takes years for optimum natural conditions to make for a remarkable expression. Only purchasable at The Orangerie at Maison Hine in Cognac, France. Hine Antique XO Premier Cru Cognac The result is an extraordinary cognac that offers a finish that can evolve on the palate for an hour. Some of these eaux-de-vie can take up to 70 years to reach their peak, so needless to say, Louis XIII has a vested interest in the future. 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.

So those are the most expensive cognacs you could actually buy — what about the most expensive ever sold? These long sea voyages would have a huge influence on the cognac in its final months of maturation. The combination of constant movement, salty air, temperature variations and air pressure changes gave the cognac unrivaled smoothness. But when the practice stopped in the early 1900s, that characteristic was lost.

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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%

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. In the simplest terms, cognac is a type of brandy produced using white grapes. Like champagne, a cognac can only be described as such if it is made in the Cognac region, located in France’s southwest. The grape juice is double-distilled in copper stills to produce a young spirit called eau de vie (water of life), which is then aged in oak casks. Those casks must be either brand new (virgin casks) or previously used to age cognac. Compare this with the Scotch whisky industry, which can use casks previously used to age a variety of other spirits, like bourbon or even tequila. 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. If you’re looking for a vintage comparison between Early Landed and Jarnac aged, why not try Hine 1983 Vintage Cognac alongside Hine 1983 Early Landed Vintage Cognac . Hine 1985 Grande Champagne, Aged in JarnacThis is surprisingly different from everything we’ve tried so far. Rhubarb custard sweetness pairs with a saline quality on the palate to create an unusual and dynamic expression that it is worth travelling to France to try! Suggested Serve

The depth of flavor presented in this XO Cognac make it the ideal digestif, served with a cheese course or chocolate orange, the creamy and citrus textures flawlessly contrast the fruity, earthy and sweet notes brought by Hine's Grande Champagne blend.

7. Hennessy Master Blender’s Selection No. 3

Alike in every way to the previous Bonneuil except that the grapes were harvested in 2008 and give a snapshot of that year. Nose 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.