South Australia’s St Agnes Distillery’s XXO Exceptional Reserve 50 Year Old is once again showing what an incredible spirit it is, after being awarded a perfect 100 points by The Australian’s senior wine writer Nick Ryan, who described it as “the greatest liquid to touch my lips this year.”
Released in 2025 to mark the 100-year anniversary of Australia’s oldest family-run distillery, the XXO 50 Year Old has been awarded a slew of trophies and Champion Spirit accolades.
“To be part of such an exclusive club as we celebrate 100 years as a distillery is an extraordinary honour,” said Richard Angove, St Agnes Distillery Managing Director and fifth-generation distiller.
“Our head distiller Ben Horley and his predecessor, John Norman, as well as the entire team behind St Agnes have been instrumental in maintaining the patience, care and craft required nurturing our aged spirits.
“Personally, this spirit holds such a special place. Three generations of my family have nurtured this collection, and to see something my grandfather first envisioned now recognised in this way is truly incredible.”
A limited release of just 500 bottles, the XXO 50 Year Old is drawn from rare parcels distilled between 1953 and 1972, matured for decades in the distillery’s historic Riverland barrel halls. It represents both a collector’s piece and a powerful expression of five generations of craftsmanship.
The accolade follows further high praise from spirits writer Luke McCarthy, who described the XXO 50 Year Old as “one of the greatest achievements in Australian winemaking and distilling” in his book St Agnes – The First One Hundred Years.
Ryan also recognised the strength of the broader St Agnes portfolio, awarding the XO 15 Year Old 97 points for its “unbelievable quality at this price,” and the 30 Year Old – also released in 2025 – 98 points, calling it a “truly world-class brandy.”
The centenary year has been a milestone period for the Renmark distillery, which also received a Gold Medal at the 2025 Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition, and was named Brandy Taste Master at The Spirits Business Brandy Masters in London earlier this year.
Domestically, the St Agnes XO Brandy 15 Year Old has dominated the awards circuit, crowned Champion Spirit at both the 2025 Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show and Perth Royal Distilled Spirits Awards, while claiming Best Brandy trophies across all major capital city competitions.