The phrase slight hint is a redundancy. A hint—defined as a slight indication or intimation—is by definition slight, so the modifier serves no purpose in the phrase. This redundancy often appears in writing on food and wine—for example:
Imagine a perfectly cooked dog with just the right amount of char and a slight hint of honey BBQ. [Urban Marinade]
Rather glamorous and ritzy—even a slight hint of coconut. [Vinfolio]
The glossiness doesn’t extend to the display’s half-inch bezel, and the island-style keys themselves are matte with a slight hint of friction. [Laptop Mag]
In each of these examples, hint without the adjective slight would convey the same meaning:
. . . a hint of honey BBQ.
. . . even a hint of coconut.
. . . matte with a hint of friction.
