ST AGNES CELEBRATES 100 YEARS WITH RELEASE OF AUSTRALIA’S OLDEST BOTTLED SPIRIT

St Agnes celebrates 100 years with release of Australia’s oldest bottled spirit

St Agnes Distillery has marked the historic milestone of its 100th distilling season with the limited release of St Agnes XXO 50 Year Old Exceptional Reserve.

Australia’s oldest family-run distillery St Agnes Distillery is commemorating a major milestone in 2025 – its 100th distilling season – solidifying its status as a pioneer in the country’s premium spirits industry.

Founded in 1925 by Carl Angove, St Agnes has grown from humble beginnings into a cornerstone of the Australian spirits industry. Now helmed by the fifth generation of the Angove family, the distillery continues to blend time-honoured traditions with modern innovation, earning international acclaim for its range of brandies.

Richard Angove, co-Managing Director of St Agnes Distillery, shared his excitement with National Liquor News, highlighting just how much of an achievement it is for the distillery to reach its 100th distilling season.

“This milestone reflects the dedication, skill, and passion of generations of distillers who have worked tirelessly to craft exceptional brandy right here in the Riverland.

“We’re proud to honour our legacy while embracing what’s next for Australian spirits. Our commitment to hard work, tenacity and craftsmanship remains as strong today as it was a century ago.”

To celebrate the momentous milestone, St Agnes Distillery has unveiled St Agnes XXO 50 Year Old Exceptional Reserve, the oldest bottled spirit ever produced in Australia.

Crafted from parcels of brandy distilled between 1953 and 1972 and aged in Riverland barrel halls, St Agnes XXO 50 Year Old Exceptional Reserve honours five generations of distilling excellence.

Angove describes the release as the pinnacle of the distillery’s century-long pursuit of greatness.

“When my grandfather Thomas Angove decided to distil incredibly small parcels of exceptional spirit, he wasn’t thinking about today or tomorrow – he was thinking decades ahead.

“He believed this spirit had the potential to become something truly exceptional, and that’s exactly what happened. We’ve watched and waited, allowing time to do its work, and have been rewarded with an incredible spirit that we can’t wait to share.

“It’s more than just a brandy – it’s a reflection of everything we stand for. This release is both a tribute to the last 100 years and a toast to what’s still to come.”

With just 500 bottles available, the release sets a new benchmark as the most expensive Australian spirit with a price tag of $4,800.

A century of distilling excellence

The distillery’s milestone follows a standout year in 2024, during which it was named Champion Australian Distiller at the Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirits Awards.

St Agnes also secured Best Distilled Spirit accolades at the Royal Sydney, and Royal Australian Spirit Awards, alongside Best Brandy trophies at every major capital city competition. International recognition came in the form of gold medals at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition.

While best known for its brandy, St Agnes continues to push the boundaries of Australian distilling with a diverse portfolio that includes Blind Tiger Organic Gin and the award-winning Camborne Whisky.

With its centenary celebrations continuing to unfold throughout 2025, St Agnes Distillery is poised to reinforce its reputation as a leader in Australian spirits – honouring its past while embracing the future.