To mark its 100th distilling season in 2025, South Australia’s iconic St Agnes Distillery has revealed a history-making release: the St Agnes XXO 50 Year Old Exceptional Reserve, the oldest and most expensive bottled spirit ever produced in Australia by a considerable margin.
Just 500 bottles of this extraordinary brandy will be released, each priced at $4,800, offering collectors and connoisseurs a rare opportunity to own a piece of Australian distilling heritage.
“This release is the pinnacle of our century-long pursuit of greatness,” said Richard Angove, Co-Managing Director of St Agnes Distillery.
“It’s more than just a brandy—it’s a reflection of everything we stand for.”
Distilled between 1953 and 1972, the spirit has matured for decades in the historic Riverland barrel halls, a testament to the vision of Richard’s grandfather, Thomas Angove.
“When my grandfather decided to distil incredibly small parcels of exceptional spirit, he wasn’t thinking about today or tomorrow—he was thinking decades ahead,” Richard explained.
“He believed this spirit had the potential to become something truly exceptional, and that’s exactly what happened.”
While it sits at a cost only few can afford, St Agnes has provided an in-depth, poetic glimpse into its flavour for us to experience vicariously.
Mahogany colour, smells of “decades old tawny, Persian dates, marmalade and snow-white pebbles” or “old oiled cricket bats, rocky road chocolate and rose water.”
As it hits the palate, it fans out “like a peacock’s tail,” viscous, luscious and sweet like candied orange and caramelised apricot. Tempted? There’s more.
Sipping it is like “inhaling the Barrel Halls, where the nutty characters take over followed by leather, cardamom, prunes.” The kind of spirit that sends shivers down your spine, it’s that complex.
Launched at the St Agnes 100-Year Anniversary event at the National Wine Centre on Friday, 9 May, the XXO 50 Year Old Exceptional Reserve was joined by the XO 30 Year Old Centenary Reserve to celebrate five generations of craftsmanship.
“We’ve watched and waited, allowing time to do its work,” said Richard.
“Now, five decades later, we’ve been rewarded with an incredible spirit that we can’t wait to share. This release is both a tribute to the last 100 years and a toast to what’s still to come.”
The distillery’s century birthday comes off the back of a landmark year, with St Agnes named Champion Australian Distiller at the 2024 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards.
The brand also claimed Best Distilled Spirit at both the Royal Sydney and Royal Australian Spirit Awards, as well as Best Brandy titles at every major capital city competition and a gold medal at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition.
Founded in 1925 by Carl Angove, St Agnes has remained at the forefront of Australian spirits for a century.
While best known for its exceptional brandy, the distillery also produces the Blind Tiger Organic Gin and internationally awarded Camborne Whisky, solidifying its place as one of the country’s most innovative craft spirit producers.
If you’re a spirit lover or fancy a premium nip to ease the cooler weather, this investment is a once-in-a-century opportunity to sip on a piece of Australian distilling history. Or, for something a little more accessible, make the journey to St Agnes Distillery and explore their wider range.
WHAT: St Agnes XXO 50 Year Old Exceptional Reserve
WHERE: Bookmark Avenue, Renmark, South Australia 5341
For their website and to book a tour or experience, click here.
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