Hine 1955 Samaroli 30 Year Old Early Landed Cognac / Signed by Silvano Samaroli

Samaroli are perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky. With an impeccable taste in single cask whiskies, and an eye for aesthetics (if not English spelling at times!), founder Silvano Samaroli is regarded by many as a visionary. Since his passing in 2017, the company has been run by his friend Antonio Bleve, who continues his tradition of high quality releases. Many of Silvano’s early bottlings occupy deserved spots on the pantheon of all-time whisky greats.

Hugely rare, this is a 1955 vintage congac from Hine. It was early landed in London and bottled in Scotland by R.W. Duthie in 1985.

The house of Hine dates back to 1791 when at the age of 16, an Englishman from Dorset named Thomas Hine travelled to France to pursue his passion for cognac. His sense of historical timing however was disastrous, and after trying to flee the French Revolution he was imprisoned at the Château de Jarnac where he remained sequestered for several months. Fortunes turned in his favour however, and he later married Françoise-Elisabeth, the daughter of his hosts, subsequently taking over the running of the cognac production at the Château. With his product slowly gaining a positive reputation, he then renamed the brand after himself in 1817. Today Château de Jarnac remains the headquarters Hine, and it is one of the oldest buildings in the commune. In 1962 royalty came calling, with Queen Elizabeth II approving a royal warrant for Hine to supply the British royal household. To this day they are the only cognac house entrusted with such an honour.