Limited Release Celebrates Bourbon Heritage Month with French XO Cognac Elegance
SAN FRANCISCO – September 17, 2025 – In celebration of Bourbon Heritage Month, award-winning HIRSCH Selected Whiskeys introduces a new limited-edition bourbon expression: The Cask Strength, finished in rare 30-Year-Old HINE Cognac XO barrels. This exclusive Kentucky Straight Bourbon (750ml, $180 SRP) offers a refined and adventurous palate experience that bridges American whiskey craftsmanship with French cognac tradition.
Aged for 5 years and 8 months, then finished for 1 year and 10 months in HINE XO Cognac barrels in Bardstown, Kentucky, only 3,900 bottles of this cask strength bourbon will be released across select U.S. markets beginning this September.
A Transatlantic Collaboration: Bourbon Meets Cognac Heritage
“The creation of HIRSCH The Cask Strength was an exciting opportunity to bring together the legacy of a 20th century American visionary and an 18th century French icon,” says Kevin Aslan, Head Distiller for HIRSCH.
Aslan pays homage to Adolph Hirsch, the famed whiskey explorer behind the original A.H. Hirsch bourbon of 1974, and the HINE Cognac House, founded in 1763 in Grande Champagne, France.
“The marriage of exceptional Kentucky straight bourbon with the elegant XO cognac casks embodies the HIRSCH mission to explore the world of possibilities through experimentation balanced with craft,” Aslan adds. “The French Oak casks add a layer of almond, light nutmeg, citrus, and tannic structure that leads to a dry finish.”
Tasting Notes: A Complex, Layered Bourbon Expression
The Cask Strength expression delivers a complex yet approachable flavor profile, featuring a blend of bourbon sweetness and cognac finesse:
- Aroma: Plum, rich baking spice, complex
- Palate: Caramel cherry, soft vanilla, mild cinnamon, muscat grape, rich mouthfeel
- Finish: Peach rings, cedar, fig, gentle tannin structure
Crafted from a mash bill of 72% corn, 13% rye, and 15% malted barley, the bourbon is double distilled in small copper pot stills and aged in a combination of char #3 and toasted American oak barrels for 7 years and 6 months in total.
A Sequel to Gold-Winning Innovation
This release follows the 2022 debut of the first HIRSCH x HINE collaboration, which earned a Gold Medal from the Beverage Testing Institute in 2023.
Availability & Release Markets
The HIRSCH The Cask Strength finished in HINE XO barrels will be available in the following states beginning in September 2025:
- AZ, CA, NV, NM, WA, NJ, TX, LA, WI, IL, TN, MN, ND, SD
To locate a bottle or sign up for availability notifications, visit www.hirschwhiskey.com. Follow along on Instagram at @hirschwhiskey.
About HIRSCH Selected Whiskeys
HIRSCH’s story began with the legendary A.H. HIRSCH Reserve 16-Year-Old, often cited as one of the greatest American bourbons ever made. Today, HIRSCH continues that legacy by sourcing premium whiskey and finishing it with a modern twist—offering exceptional Kentucky straight bourbon designed for discovery. Learn more at www.hirschwhiskey.com.
About HINE Cognac
Founded in 1763, HINE Cognac is revered for its dedication to precision, aging, and purity of terroir. Specializing in Grande Champagne cognac, HINE is one of the world’s most respected independent cognac houses, known for its delicate aromatics, vintage releases, and elegant house style. More at hinecognac.com.
About Hotaling & Co.
Based in San Francisco, Hotaling & Co. is a leader in importing and distilling artisanal spirits with a portfolio of global brands, including HIRSCH Selected Whiskeys, HINE Cognac, Junipero Gin, Old Potrero Rye, and more. Learn more at www.HotalingandCo.com.
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