I was walking through Costco earlier this week and had to do a double-take when I saw this on the shelf for $49.99. Kirkland 18 year Highland Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish [review #17] ABV: A respectable 46%. ), but it was positive so I picked it up. On my first sniff, I smell moderate amounts of bright and vibrant oranges, peaches, green grapes, and papaya with flowery and earthy honey nectar and just a little malt. There probably are better Scotches in the $40-50 range as long as you’re not fixated on the age statement, but you can also do a lot worse at the same time. The flavors overall are good and potentially could be great, but are severely hindered because the Scotch was so heavily watered down. Aged: 18 years in ex-bourbon casks, finished in sherry casks, Color: 1.2/2.0 on the color scale (chestnut, oloroso sherry), “From one of Scotland’s most prominent whisky-producing regions, comes this Kirkland Signature 18 Year Old Speyside Single Malt. While she was there, she saw a bottle of 18 year old scotch sporting both the Kirkland brand, which is Costco’s private label, and The Macallan Distillery! Why let whiskey age for nearly two decades just to water it down and take away from everything it has to offer? In my humble opinion, 40% is a terrible proof for older single malts. It’s a real shame, so I’m glad Costco chose to increase the alcohol to 46%. Price aside, Kirkland 25 Year Speyside Scotch is the winner of this Kirkland Scotch comparison. There are currently 18 such states, where the distribution of liquor is a monopoly controlled by the state government. I say new version because the label has undergone a subtle, yet significant change— the bridge pictured on it is different (or the angle has just changed). It’s a real shame, so I’m glad Costco chose to increase the alcohol to 46%. Spending a little more time with the Kirkland Single malt, I primarily taste honey and grapefruit with a little bit of the tangy and bitter white skin on it. Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 27 Years. Don’t be mistaken though, Costco is not in the Scotch-making business. The Kirkland 25’s flavors, even at the same 40%, are stronger, richer, and darker with honey, peach, berries, malt, oak, cocoa, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Thanks for watching the Scotch Test Dummies. With that said, I’m with Christopher on this. Palate: Wax, honey, lemon peel, Luxardo cherries, cloves. It’s underwhelming for an 18-year Scotch, but good overall as a gentle and non-offensive sipping whiskey. Distillery: Unknown, bottled by Alexander Murray & Co. This results in a scotch that is dark amber in color with aromas of sherry and a subtle smokiness which delivers a complex palate and a dry, slightly floral finish. Price includes delivery ... Kirkland Signature 3 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky 1.75L. The Kirkland 18 finishes slightly sweet but mostly woody with a gentle dark and oily bitterness, showing its age. Overall, the aroma lacks depth and complexity. This scotch whisky also has a thinner mouthfeel and is quite astringent upon first taste. Full disclosure, the 18 Year and 25 Year Speysides were discontinued a few years ago. The result is a sophisticated, luxurious Scotch whisky. You now have FREE access to nearly 300,000 wine, beer and spirit reviews. The Kirkland Signature Scotch Whisky Range. Given that they’ve offered a range of Scotches over the years, I’ve always wondered how similar some of them are. Now, I’m finally doing this Kirkland Scotch comparison, comparing the Kirkland 18 Year Speyside Single Malt and the Kirkland 25 Year Speyside Single Malt. In fact, I’ve never seen any other Scotch from Kirkland that is not Macallan. Still, $90 is a steal for a Scotch this old. So I compared the whisky to the 2008 Kirkland Macallan 18 ($80, by the way), which I still have on hand. Kirkland Brand & Scotch. Sprinkles of cocoa, wood, clove, and nutmeg line the sweetness, and I definitely get a little vanilla buttercream here and there. Country/Region : Scotland/Speyside. Tasting : Neat in a Glencairn @ Home. ABV : 46%. Then there was the high-proof, high-scoring 7 year old bourbon that compared favorably with Knob Creek, among many other whiskies that boast true value (see full reviews). There’s so much promise, but it’s all diluted by the low proof. Setup - Neat in a glencairn. ... Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin Price: $18.59. My wife stopped at a Costco store in Delaware, where they are able to sell liquor, on her way to a friends’ house. If I wasn't trying to cut down on my current inventory, I'd probably pick up a few more bottles as it's a great "everyday" sherried Scotch. Price aside, Kirkland 25 Year Speyside Scotch is the winner of this Kirkland Scotch comparison. The first whiff of Kirkland Signature 24-Year Scotch Whisky is harsh with a "slight chemical, industrial, and metallic smell" that shouldn't be so obvious with an aged whisky, according to The Whisky Shelf. Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky ... Costco sells 100,000+ cases of its scotch per year. It’s nutty and malty up front from the sherry finishing with moderate honey, apricot, wood, vanilla, buttercream, spice, and minimal alcohol. Cheers! Tasting : Neat in a Glencairn @ Home. And in the third corner of our triangle shaped ring, we have the Macallan 18. I was there today and will be back tomorrow. Kirkland Signature 18 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 40% (Scotland) $.00. Interestingly, the buttercream sweetness sometimes fades and it kind of tastes like melted butter. We are independent reviewers. Being of Scottish origin, I also love a good bargain! In the second corner we have a bottle of Glenfiddich 18. Now, I’m finally doing this Kirkland Scotch comparison, comparing the, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select vs Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Review, Widow Jane 12 Year Single Barrel Bourbon Review, Copper and Kings Single Barrel Pear Brandy, Yellowstone Limited Edition 2020 Bourbon Review. Whisky : Kirkland Signature Speyside 18 Year Single Malt. In one corner we have a bottle from Costco, the Kirkland Highland 18 Sherry. All of that said, today’s Scotch versus Scotch is a three way battle between some 18 year old offerings. Palate: Medium to light body with a mild dryness.Savory notes of sweet barbecue, rye … It’s a bright and floral smell with a touch of wood and vanilla from the relatively long aging. Kirkland 18 Year Speyside Single Malt tastes very much like it smells. Whisky : Kirkland Signature Speyside 20 Year. Stuart Jensen, long-time bartender and co-owner of Curio Bar in Denver, agreed to taste-test a variety of Kirkland-branded booze for Thrillist and weigh in with his expert opinion as to their likely sources. Cask : Ex-Bourbon, finished 6 mo. Nose: Fruity and malty with dried figs, dates, and chocolate covered berries.Earthy sweet ginger, worn leather, and fresh toasted dark bread give. The flavors overall are good and potentially could be great, but are severely hindered because the Scotch was so heavily watered down. 88 • Kirkland Signature 20 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46% (Scotland) $57.99. Notes: Looks like 2020 has brought another new Kirkland Signature single malt to the market!Earlier this year saw the release of a 22 Year sherry finished Speyside and now we have a new version of the 20 Year sherry finished Speyside. Don’t be mistaken though, Costco is not in the Scotch-making business. The most telling clue: Almost every private-label Kirkland Scotch to date has been Macallan. With 85 flavour notes in every drop, each sip is a new discovery. Given that they’ve offered a range of Scotches over the years, I’ve always wondered how similar some of them are. Interestingly, the buttercream sweetness sometimes fades and it kind of tastes like melted butter. There also are hints of walnuts and dates from the sherry finishing. And in the third corner of our triangle shaped ring, we have the Macallan 18. Chewing brings out a little more sweet, oily, and bitter citrus, very much like the aftertaste of eating an orange with a little peel left on it. Costco Stores is the world’s third largest retailer. Occasionally there is an odd a bit of bronzer or suntan lotion. Nose: Rum, honey, melon, tiny bit of leather. Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select vs Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Review, Widow Jane 12 Year Single Barrel Bourbon Review, Copper and Kings Single Barrel Pear Brandy, Yellowstone Limited Edition 2020 Bourbon Review. It’s underwhelming for an 18-year Scotch, but good overall as a gentle and non-offensive sipping whiskey. Nose : Fresh vanilla creme brûlée lined with raspberries— a terribly tempting dessert.Loads of sweetness from summer cherries which have been soaked in dark syrupy rum. Washington State deregulated away from this type of system in 2012 … ABV : 46%. 89 • Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin 44% (USA) $17.99. The Speyside label is a reference to the region, but because it’s a single malt it comes from a single distillery. Costco really should stop messing around and release a cask-strength Scotch; I bet it would be very good. In addition to the 18 year old single malt scotch under $50, we found an enjoyable 12 year old Speyside that’s half the price of Macallan at the same age. Kirkland Speyside Single Malt 18 is a drinkable and enjoyable, if not unspectacular, whiskey, very much like the Kirkland 25 Blended Scotch, although I prefer the 18 to the 25 year. If you have a Costco membership and are lucky enough to live in a place where it sells liquor, you likely have encountered Costco’s private label Kirkland Scotches that are shockingly reasonably priced. Color: Dark Goldenrod. Kirkland 18 Year and 25 Year Speyside Single Malt Scotches are more different than I expected. It’s a good start. Swirling brings forth the sweet nectar and honey with a little nuttiness, orange zest, and graham cracker malt. It’s perfect for after-dinner drinking, on the rocks.”. 89 • Kirkland Signature 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky 40% (Scotland) $38.99. Today we taste and review Kirkland 18 Year Speyside Single Malt and compare it to Benriach 12 and Macallan 17. 89 • Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin 44% (USA) $17.99. It smells almost as good and tastes drastically better than the 18 Year, but unfortunately still loses so much from the dilution. It’s also possible that the Kirkland’s Speyside 25-year-old bottling is Mortlach, Longmorn or even Macallan, the latter of whom Kirkland has openly partnered with in the past. The 18 Year Speyside, as fragrant as it is, falls apart with its flavors. Country/Region : Scotland/Speyside. But with THAT said, Kirkland/Macallan is Good Scotch at a Good Price. As I mentioned before, as of 2017 there’s a new version of the Speyside Single Malt 18 that has 46% alcohol, so I hope that the extra proof drastically improves the experience. Thanks for signing up! In the second corner we have a bottle of Glenfiddich 18. 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