St. Agnes XO Centenary Reserve Cask Strength Single Cask 30 Year Old Brandy (700ml)

St.Agnes debuted this line several years ago, marking their first single cask release in over a century. Distilled from a Doradillo base wine, the bouquet is decadent, thick with oaky vanillas, cafe cremes, salted caramel chocolate, sticky date pudding and Rare Port, all sprinkled with cinnamon. At natural strength, it fulfils expectations; the flavour drive is impressive, the profile repeating the promise of the nose with an initial burst of juicy spiced-raisins, dried figs and apricots, tempered by tingling acidity and sweet oak. The tannins are fine-grained, the alcohol warms the heart and the overall balance near perfect. It's the beast of the collection, and arguably the most 'brandy-like', but the similarities to cask strength sherried single malts are also undeniable. Malt lovers take note! 50.5% Alc./Vol. 1995 distillation tasted.

Other reviews... At 55% alcohol, the Centenary Reserve has a lot more punch than St Agnes’ other brandies. Still, they’ve chosen less active casks here as the orange peel sweetness is far more apparent than oak on the nose, which is super cool for a spirit so old, especially when so many Aussie spirits are over-oaked at a 10th of this age. Whisky makers take note! The alcohol does present a bit of a barrier to nuance on the nose, but there’s still toasted almond and mint ice cream to be found. The entry on the palate is incredible, with big, warm, marmalade sweetness. Where the high alcohol hides some things on the nose, it explodes them across the tongue. This is my favourite palate of any St Agnes I’ve tried. The finish is still gentle with that hallmark St Agnes creaminess, and the fact that they can bottle at 55% without any burn is awe-inspiring. Remarkable. 97 points - Fred Siggins, winecompanion.com.au

Notes from the producers... , it’s instantly floral and fruity, with a bright freshness that’s hard to believe considering the age. Highly concentrated and fragrant, with poached pear, dried fig and crushed mint leaves. Delicious as it progresses, creamy and moreish, with a slightly leathery, linseed character. Minimal wood extraction allowing the distillate to shine. As complex and refined as Australian brandy gets, and what an invocation of the doradillo grape where it all started in 1925.