How the St Agnes range is built
St Agnes owes its style to Ron Haselgrove, who studied at Montpellier and learned brandy-making in Bordeaux and Cognac before joining Carl Angove at Renmark in 1925. In more than a century only six master distillers have guided the house style, and St Agnes now describes itself as Australia's most highly awarded brandy producer. The bottles below differ mainly in how long the spirit has spent in oak.
VS (Very Superior)
The classic aged brandy of the range, rested in small oak barrels. St Agnes lists apricot, orange peel and vanilla on the nose and gingerbread, prunes and caramel on the palate: a smooth mixer for dry ginger ale or cola. St Agnes VS.
VSOP (5 years minimum)
Every spirit in the VSOP is at least five years old, giving stewed stone fruit, prune and chocolate crème caramel with sweet vanilla oak. St Agnes calls it the perfect mixer.
XO 15 Year Old
A minimum of 15 years in oak brings citrus peel, quince jelly, marmalade, candied peach and the savoury depth known as rancio. In 2025 it won the JJ McWilliam Trophy for Best Brandy and Best Distilled Spirit of Show at the Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show. St Agnes XO 15.
XO Imperial 20 Year Old
At least 20 years old, natural in colour, with its oldest component distilled in 1970. Orange blossom, amontillado-like nuttiness, roasted cashew, honey and maple lead into caramel, walnut and raisin. St Agnes XO Imperial 20.
XO Grand Reserve 40 Year Old
The oldest bottling we stock: every spirit is at least 40 years old, again with components distilled as far back as 1970. Expect Christmas cake, rancio, espresso, cacao, dates and walnut with a very long finish. At the 2024 Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show it took the trophies for Best Brandy and Best Distilled Spirit. St Agnes XO Grand Reserve 40.
Bartender's Cut
Blended with ten leading Australian bartenders for cocktails, from Colombard, Chardonnay and Doradillo grapes aged in ex-wine, tawny and sherry casks, and bottled at 44%. Built for a Brandy Old Fashioned, Sidecar or Brandy Alexander. St Agnes Bartender's Cut.
Choosing a bottle
For highballs and cooking, the VS or VSOP. For a cocktail with real backbone, Bartender's Cut. For sipping neat, start at XO 15; for a milestone gift, the 20 or the 40. Browse more aged spirits in Rum & Brandy and Cognac.
