The sourcing of Costco’s Kirkland Signature whiskies has been a topic of incessant speculation by consumers, and sometimes even critics. I bought a bottle of Kirkland 15 year scotch aged in sherry. A Costco customer shops for champagne at a Costco store (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images). Finish: Dried figs again, and drying red-wine tannins. Overall, Murray shipped 165,000 cases of Scotch whisky in 2015, a total expected to rise 10 percent this year. I am not a scotch snob, but this is some very good scotch. Cherry, I think? Made from one of the most famous of scotch distilleries in Glenlivet and aged for a remarkably long 40 years, it prices out at a Costco-reasonable $700. Costco’s blended Scotch whiskey is procured from Alexander Murray & Company, a purveyor and exporter of Scotch whiskeys. The rest of the time I cover international politics. Then, maybe 2 years ago or less, I saw the 18-year old sherry-finished KS, now at 46% and at $50 (or $55, can’t recall). Bottled by Alexander Murray & Co. Aberdeen Scotland. 89 • Kirkland Signature 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky 40% (Scotland) $38.99. Nose: Distinct dried fruit notes – fig, dried berries, fruitcake, etc. That may be because the additional dried fruit notes overshadow those notes or it may simply reflect the fact that this whisky was sourced elsewhere. It is perfectly legal under the 2009 Scotch Whisky Regulations for any whisky distilled at Macallan to be called either a "Speyside" or "Highland" single malt whisky. Read More. 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. At under $20 for 1.75 L, it's one of the most wallet-friendly options on the list.It's sold in a frosted bottle — unlike the glossy clear glass of their popular French vodka — and is reportedly distilled six times for ultra-smoothness. I picked one up. Read the tasting notes and find other Kirkland whiskey reviews Scotch Review #15 Whisky Network Review #20. Tullibardine sells their own 25-year-old Scotch for around $300 a bottle. Tasting: Neat in a Glencairn @ Home. There is a wild raging debate on the Internet about the actual source of Alexander Murray & Co.’s big-age, low-price malts. Whisky: Kirkland Signature Speyside 22 Year; Alexander Murray Country/Region : Scotland/Speyside ABV: 46%. in Oloroso Sherry. Cheers! Fruit cake for the holidays— dried figs, plums da This is somewhat limited in scope, but not objectionable, and the sherry is clear and present. On the nose, there are notes of brown sugar, some dried fruit notes especially a hint of prune, along with notes of vanilla, some cinnamon spice, a bit of ginger, as well as a hint of smoke. ABV: 46%. Kirkland Signature brands is a line dedicated to--as well as owned and managed by--Costco, the warehouse member retailer that has had a large liquor inventory for some time. ... especially for $20 a handle. The color is a rich dark amber with a brownish cast. Please log in again. Bottled by Alexander Murray & Co. Aberdeen Scotland. An eclectic combination to be sure, then again, the state of the world would drive anyone to drink. It’s underwhelming for an 18-year Scotch, but good overall as a gentle and non-offensive sipping whiskey. The Macallan’s own 25 Year Old Sherry Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky sells for $1500. in Oloroso Sherry. There are cooked cereal/bread-like and dried herbal notes that become more pronounced as the whisky opens up. The Kirkland Signature Scotch whiskies are sourced by independent bottler Alexander Murray. Produced by Costco.. The Kirkland Signature American Vodka is the Costco alternative for those who prefer domestic vodkas such as Tito's. Kirkland Speyside Sherry Cask Finish – 20 year (2018) October 8, 2018 May 11, 2020 The Scotch Noob Reviews 4 Comments 31030 views I have been neglecting my local Costco. Kirkland Signature 27 Year Old Bourbon Cask Matured Blended Scotch Whisky ... Be the first person to review this product. 20 Years Kirkland Signature . If you buy the original macallan you will pay a lot more. What really matters is whether you like that particular style. Review #25: Kirkland 20 Year Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky Sherry Cask Finish (Bottled by Alexander Murray & Co.) Distillery: Unknown Bottler: Alexander Murray & Co Region: Speyside ABV: 46% Age: 20 Price: $57 Color: 1.4, Tawny Nose: Sweet and a little leathery. Kirkland 20 Year Speyside Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish (2018) Proof: 92 Age: 20 years Cost: $50 (If I remember correctly) Color: Auburn Nose: Caramel, toffee, leather, almost like many leather-bound books Palate: Caramel again, plenty of cherry and fig, honey, and a hint of coffee and salt.Each taste is more pleasant than the last. Bottom-line: This is 20 year-old malt whisky with no major flaws for under $50. The sherry aromas are quite pronounced, certainly more intense than you would typically expect from six months of finishing in a sherry butt, even if it was a first fill cask. Scotch whisky is vast, with 120 distilleries producing hundreds of brands. For the record, I think it’s a mediocre cask of Macallan, despite the initial meatiness (which would suggest Mortlach). This 20-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been aged in ex-bourbon and Oloroso barrels to bring about it's dark golden colour and unique flavours. (750ml bottle) Costco, San Jose, CA, $58. He thinks the Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whiskey is likely distilled either by Diageo (who owns Johnnie Walker) or Bacardi (who produce Dewar's, according to The Whiskey Wash). A review of Kirkland Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 20 year by @GBrough who rated this whisky 98/100. Costco Stores is the world’s third largest retailer. Review: Kirkland Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 20 Years Old Sherry Cask Finish; Review: Kirkland Highland Single Malt 16 Years Old Bourbon Cask Matured; Review: Kirkland Speyside Single Malt 22 Years Old Sherry Cask Finish ; Review: The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old (2009) Kirkland Macallan Sherry Cask Finish 18 Years Old $80. Costco sells spirits in 33 states and the District of Columbia. Will that “Blended Scotch Whiskey” make a decent Penicillin? That distillery isn’t typically thought of as a Speyside distillery. This weekend I noticed a new version of the 2013 classic: Kirkland (Costco’s brand) has a new version of its 20 year-old Speyside single-malt with a sherry cask finish (link to the last one I reviewed, in 2013, here). Rumors persist as well of Longmorn and Mortlach, and I swear I’ve tasted Alexander Murray juice that was the spitting image of a Mortlach in the past. When you buy … It would certainly rank in the top 10% of blended whiskies. Per Johnston, the similar but different age statements simply reflect the fact that there was no single distillery that had enough inventory to bottle sufficient stock of that expression to meet Costco’s needs. Trader Joe’s 10 year old Highland single malt scotch—87 points, $26 The smokiness of a cigar wafts through Juicy Fruit, saline, and candy notes into a toasty oak finish. For something that’s had some time to age, I was surprised by the acetone/solvent like smell handing out in this one. ), and is now $70-something at the same store. Cocktails: Part One. Kirkland Signature has 30 wine SKUs and 20 spirit SKUs. In the end, where the whisky was sourced doesn’t really matter, although it’s fun to try to figure that out. There are more subtle notes of oak and leather in the background. Appearance 8/10, Nose 25/30, Palate 26/30, Finish 26/30, Overall Score: 85/100, Kirkland Signature, 12 YO Blended Scotch Whisky, Kirkland Signature, Blended Scotch Whisky, 12 YO, Alexander Murray & Co, 40% BV, 1.75 liter, MSRP: $39.99. According to Cameron Johnston, Brand Manager at Alexander Murray & Company: The philosophy of our blended products is to produce a layered and complex flavour profile that is similar to that of market leaders in the category, and yes in this case market leaders are those leading in the US market. As usual, though, there is no certainty about the provenance of this bottle, and isn’t that really half the fun, anyway? Vintage Critics Score Avg. On the nose, this whisky seems very similar to its younger sibling. There clearly is a consistent style that Alexander Murray seems to be striving for, and in tasting both the 20 YO and 22 YO they accomplished this quite effectively. I state that as an observation and not necessarily as a derogatory remark. I have it on very good source that their 18 Highland Malt about 5-ish years ago was Dalwhinnie. ABV: 46%. The company sources and bottles Scotch whisky for several different retailers, including Trader Joe’s and Total Wines & More. Benchmark. For example, according to Cameron, the 20 YO, 22 YO, and 23 YO single malt Scotch whiskies were all drawn from different distilleries. Thirsty for more? Kirkland Signature has 30 wine SKUs and 20 spirit SKUs. I don’t know where this whisky was sourced. I have been writing and speaking about wines and spirits for 20 years. While you get the opportunity to drink older whiskeys at lower prices than the brand name stuff, you sacrifice knowing the source. We are no whiskey or scotch experts, but have had our share of high-quality drinks and can be rather objective which makes us quite competent to review the Kirkland Scotch and offer you our honest opinion. It might be more helpful to think of this as a 20 year-old ex-bourbon Speysider with a top-dressing of sherry finish, à la Glenmorangie’s Lasanta. The color is a rich, dark amber. January 9, 2021. Please note that MSRP may have changed since the date of our review. Full list of Trader Joe’s reviews Costco Wholesale. The internet’s opinion: You’ve probably never heard of Alexander Murray & Company, but according to … Upload a picture Kirkland signature Costco labeled speyside single malt Scotch. Stylistically, says Johnston, most batches of the Speyside sourced single malts: … are made up of a mixture of both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks; where the label states sherry cask finish, the whisky in the bottle has gone through an additional round of maturation in fresh, first-fill (sherry) casks. Sign in . At the moment there are 4 Scotch whisky expressions within the Kirkland Signature Vary: blended Scotch whisky, 12 YO blended Scotch whisky and a 2o YO, and a 22 YO Speyside Sherry cask end, single malt Scotch whisky. We buy all the bottles out of our own pockets so you can be sure you are getting our genuine opinion. The names of the distilleries are not disclosed, although all three are located in the Speyside region of the Highlands. That’s especially true for premium priced beverages; where Costco prices are among the cheapest available. You may opt-out by. Most stores would typically only carry one expression of the Speyside sherry cask finish whisky. Bottled at 46% in order to give the consumer the choice of strength, i.e. This is an excellent blended whisky. Bottom-line: This is 20 year-old malt whisky with no major flaws for under $50. Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside. Glenlivet 40 (1972) Bottled by Alexander Murray & Co. Having spoken to a few other scotch loving gentlemen it would seem there are two schools of thought on a bottle like this. It is equally viscous and oily, and has the pronounced palate weight of the 20 YO expression, perhaps even a tad more. Whisky: Kirkland Signature Speyside 20 Year. That’s unheard-of, especially in today’s overheated scotch market. Nose: Fruity and malty with dried figs, dates, and chocolate covered berries.Earthy sweet ginger, worn leather, and fresh toasted dark bread give. Went back a week later, and it was sold out. 8.5. The whisky is slightly oily, with a discernible palate weight and a mouth coating quality. Kirkland is the own branding of Costco, which is a chain gross market in the USA. Along the way I became a winemaker, Oregon Pinot Noir; a judge for various international, I have been writing and speaking about wines and spirits for 20 years. Cameron Johnston - Alexander Murray Marketing Manager. Caramel apple and hints of cocoa (stopping short of actual chocolate) complete the picture. This process produces aromas of honey and fruit, with a sweet sherry taste and long candied apple finish. The whisky is sweet, although it’s more honey-like than the candied sweetness of its younger sibling. The math don't add up man. On the nose, there is a pronounced sherry cask influence of sweet dried fruits and almond, followed by notes of cask wood, some licorice and just a hint of salinity. A review of Kirkland Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 20 year by @GBrough who rated this whisky 98/100. Chivas, on the other hand, a premium priced blended Scotch, is around 50% single malt. Please allow me to clarify Doug's answer. The finish is medium length, with a lingering sweetness, a mild pepperiness and a very slight bitter note. If you do, both of these whiskies represent outstanding values. Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky Price: $17.99. This bottle retails for $58, a thirteen-dollar premium over its 40% ABV 2013 predecessor that is actually pretty tame considering the other increases over the last half decade. Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky Price: $17.99. There are also notes of old leather and a hint of waxiness. In the second corner we have a bottle of Glenfiddich 18. I also write about the dusty, forgotten places of the world, the ones that reek of history and whose stories still resonate in the 21st century. The Macallan’s own 25 Year Old Sherry Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky sells for $1500. Kirkland Signature Glenlivet 40yr Single Malt scotch is the Costco version of a venerable, hugely expensive single malt scotch. 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