Like Kirkland’s vodka, I guarantee you this works well with soda water or tonic as well as fruit-juice-forward cocktails like a gimlet or Collins. Costco’s blended Scotch whiskey is procured from Alexander Murray & Company, a purveyor and exporter of Scotch whiskeys. Opened or unopened, you’re stuck with it in most states. The Macallan’s own 25 Year Old Sherry Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky sells for $1500. With the Sherry cask flavour. I go on Monday or tuesday. Here’s How to Wrap Them. So whether it’s beer, wine, or hard liquor, be sure to shop smart, sip enthusiastically, and above all, drink responsibly. Besides the lower price, what do you like about it? I get 4 years out of them and replace them. Which is all to say I would not buy it. Costco Wholesale. Thanks to a little known post-prohibition law, some states cannot require a membership to buy alcohol for off-site sales. 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. But it does mean that the margins between not too bad and actually pretty good are typically much smaller. Make Sure You Have These Kitchen Tools. Much like blended Scotches are comprised of whiskeys from various distilleries, Kirkland’s Small Batch Bourbon is a blend. If you’re thinking gimlets or sours, or mixing with soda water or tonic (or fruit juice), Kirkland works just fine. When you enter the Costco warehouse, simply tell the card checker and they’ll either wave you threw or direct you to the membership desk where they’ll give you a temporary pass for alcohol sales. Here’s How Costco Prices Stack Up. According to this FOX News article, “The average retail liquor store’s markup is 25 to 45 percent on products, but Costco maintains a 10 to 14 percent markup.”. Alcohol served this way is meant to be savored, or at the very least noticed, as it’s being consumed: Do not try to pass off Costco-brand gin for Hendrick’s in a room full of martini drinkers. There is no way to control for consistency with single barrel spirits; they’re all going to look, smell, and taste differently. ive been inside one of their locations here and it was impressive for sure . Kirkland 22 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky is an interesting one. I like single malt scotches. We in the DC of USA only got the 22 and the 20 year old kirkland scotch this year which are great and definitely worth the 70+ US dollars. Had never seen it before. My old costco wasnt that crowded, but this one is so close. Archived. When you buy Kirkland liquor you often end up with a very high quality product at a savings in the 20-40% off range. I am not a scotch snob, but this is some very good scotch. More as an accommodation to Costco buyers. It works with 12 … The Best Experience Gifts for Food Lovers Who Miss Going Out, Why Restaurant-Favorite Luxury Candles Make Great Gifts, The Best Subscription Boxes to Gift to Snack Lovers, If You Want to Gift Baked Goods, Store Bought Is Fine, New Cookbooks That Would Make Perfect Gifts, How Harry & David Cornered the Market on Mail-Order Pears. One is a starting battery only and the other is charged by the engine but runs the electronics and bait tank. Luckily for me I have TP to last for about a year and 2/3 as I don't use it very quickly. Am I missing any? The most readily shared secret of the bar industry is this: When you’re making mixed drinks or juice-and-modifier-forward cocktails, the brand of base spirit you use rarely matters. Whisky : Kirkland Signature Speyside 20 Year. Well for $80 I would say it is a pretty solid 22 year old single malt. The same can be said of supremely cheap whiskey, Scotch, and rum. Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin 44% (USA) $17.99. Learn how your comment data is processed. Notably, the Kirkland whiskies are actually sourced from other distilleries. Reposado (rested) and añejo (aged) tequilas are golden-brown in color because they have absorbed coloring and flavor characters of the wooden barrels they’ve been stored in. Maybe your bottle got left out in … report. A single malt Scotch is simply the product of a single distillery, while blended Scotches often combine whiskeys from various spirit producers. It’s underwhelming for an 18-year Scotch, but good overall as a gentle and non-offensive sipping whiskey. Tullibardine sells their own 25-year-old Scotch for around $300 a bottle. For $20 a bottle, I fear that the Costco-brand añejo tequila is essentially tequila-flavored vodka with a dose of artificial coloring to mimic the barrel-aged color. But the rumor exists for a good reason: This stuff is pretty darn good, especially for $20 a handle. Costco Liquor: 4 Things You Gotta Know Before You Buy, 7 Ways to Essentially Get a $60 Costco Membership for Free, Are Costco Tires Cheaper? Mark compares Kirkland 12 Blended Scotch with its younger sibling Kirkland Signature 80 Proof(NAS) at $15 less, and with world #1 Johnnie Walker Black Label, which is $20 more for the same size. Tequila, unaged, is clear, a.k.a. Let me know in the comments below, thanks. In fact, when I’m at a bar and ask the bartender what their well tequila is, I’ll typically drink it so long as it’s clear and in a glass bottle because it’s much harder to fake a silver tequila. As before, this is bottled by those big-box contact maestros, Alexander Murray & Co. from a mystery distillery in Speyside. I contacted Costco and they informed me that the following 14 states allow you to walk into the warehouse WITHOUT a membership and buy liquor. Notes of caramel, spice and smoky peat prevail on the nose and palate before a long, smooth finish. To help you out, here’s a list of states that do allow for alcohol returns. Rum and whiskey acquire all of their color and flavor from the barrels they are aged in post-distillation — or at least they should. See Also: Are Costco Tires Cheaper? What area of the world did you pick up a 23 year old kirkland Scotch this year? The major question, of course, is “Is it worth the discount?” Will that “Blended Scotch Whiskey” make a decent Penicillin? Visit your local Costco warehouse for current product inventory and to see if we stock what you are looking for. 88 • Kirkland Signature 20 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46% (Scotland) $57.99. In one corner we have a bottle from Costco, the Kirkland Highland 18 Sherry. It works with 12 Scottish distilleries to procure the goods for and bottle Scotch for places like Trader Joe’s, Total Wine, and yep, Costco. in Oloroso Sherry. If you live in Canada, you’re probably aware that only 2 provinces currently let you buy alcohol at Costco. So how do they produce their high-quality Kirkland brand alcohol? Cask : Ex-Bourbon, finished 6 mo. When it comes to Costco liquor outsourcing, here’s what we know (or speculate) so far: And now for the wine at Costco, I think they deserve their own section…. Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Blended Scotch Whisky, no age statement, 40%, $180 Kirkland Signature: Blended Scotch Whisky, 24 years old, 40%, $70 Johnny Walker Blue is a status symbol whisky. No. There are various ways to … The clear stuff, on the other hand, is much less likely to be adulterated. I paid $50.00 for it. thanks. Country/Region : Scotland/Speyside. If, however, you’re feeling bold and absolutely must complete your booze list via the Kirkland-brand family, use this to make margaritas: Fresh lime juice and a splash simple syrup make most things go down easy, though I can’t vouch for how this particular combination will make you feel the next day. Kirkland 7 year old Tennessee Straight Bourbon (Batch T … This is because stores cannot resell the alcohol. Not around often and not around long. A majority of Scotches on the market, even single malts, are, in fact, blended: The phrase “single malt” does not refer to the product coming from a single barrel; that’s, well, single barrel whiskey. Kirkland is the own branding of Costco, which is a chain gross market in the USA. Interesting. Do you care? At the beginning of our quest, we have gathered all the information on the company that stands behind the Kirkland brand scotch. Today we taste and review Kirkland Signature 20 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch and compare it to Macallan 12. When do I get to save on alcohol? Saving money by purchasing Costco liquor is one of the many terrific ways the warehouse club can help you save. Most Costco Locations Won’t Let You Return Alcohol. This 1.75 liter bottle is too big to gamble on, so I took the gamble for you. spiced rum is good for mixing, staight on ice, not so much. Find quality brand-name products at warehouse prices. Ask the Reader: Do you buy Costco alcohol on a regular basis? Anyone pick up the Costco 22 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch? ABV : 46%. save. 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! Nose : The dry floral spice of Potpourri with a bowl of apple sauce.There are more subtle notes of oak and leather in the background. This thread is archived. Cheap tequila gets a bad rap for a good reason: True tequila can only be produced in Mexico, and in specific parts of Mexico at that. If you buy the original macallan you will pay a lot more. Let's get into the review. And in the third … Price: $14.99. In the second corner we have a bottle of Glenfiddich 18. Kirkland Signature Original Spiced Rum. Though Costco is notoriously tight-lipped about the provenance of its products, credible theories abound. This bottle of Glenlivet 40 (bottled by Alexander Murray & Co, sold by Costco under the Kirkland brand name) is that chance that we wanted to take. Read the Costo Single Malt Scotch in San Diego discussion from the Chowhound Restaurants, California food community. Posted by 11 months ago. While the Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch may be one of the best liquor buys at Costco, its 24-year-old cousin doesn't make the cut. I just moved to New York and I found the prices to be very high for spirits. Speyside single malt 20 year scotch. Gin is essentially vodka infused with various botanicals, like cardamom, juniper, and citrus peel. I bought a bottle of Kirkland 15 year scotch aged in sherry. An argument could easily be made that you’ll recoup your $60 annual fee by the savings you’ll get when buying wine, beer, and liquor from the warehouse giant. With the BIG exceptions of rum and tequila, you can confidently complete your booze buying quest in a single stop which, let’s be honest, is so very often the greatest gift of the holiday season. Food Gifts Come in All Shapes and Sizes. Magnificent Bastard: Ron Liebman See our ethics policy. The lemon, mint, and sugar are going to be much more discernible flavors than any differences between those three bourbons. At $14.99, the Kirkland spiced rum is absolutely tinted with caramel coloring which, if you’re just mixing it with coke, probably won’t matter a whole lot, particularly when it comes to flavor. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. All Rights Reserved. BTW, picked up a 1,75 of Kirkland 12 yr old blend at Costco this week. I’ll drink to that kind of savings any day. 274. Costco stores in New York don’t have liquor in their own stores but have adjoining third party stores that sell liquor. For products like Johnnie Walker Blue or Macallan, it’s virtually impossible to beat Costco on price.”. They are Alberta and more recently Saskatchewan. But keep this in mind, if you do live in a state that leaves it up to the discretion of the store, most stores still won’t accept unopened booze. Alexander Murray & Co is an independent scotch bottler company run by Steve Lipp. Rather-Be-Shopping.com. If You’re Making Cocktails, You Should Be Making Your Own Bitters, Sommeliers Pick the Best Wine Glasses for Every Scenario, How to Keep an Opened Bottle of Wine Good for Days, These Hot Toddy Recipes Can Melt Any Winter Blues. Kirkland 20 year old Sherry Cask Finished Speyside single malt scotch—92 points, $58 A classic sherry bomb, with milk chocolate, raisins, brown sugar, hazelnuts, cloves, almonds, and plenty of oak. At about $70 for 750 mL, the quality for the price just doesn't hold up like Costco's better options. Good rum is very difficult to make cheaply, and a spiced rum for me is a massive red flag: You basically have no idea what’s actually in that bottle. Seriously, Though, How Do You Scale Down a Recipe? No line. share. Sohla El-Waylly Has Tips to Make It Special. Plenty of stock. The French vodka available at Costco has been rumored to be the same stuff as Grey Goose, misinformation that persists despite Grey Goose’s firm denials that they produce Costco’s vodka. I state that as an observation and not necessarily as a derogatory remark. With all that mixer, it doesn’t much matter what your base is. Costco’s house bourbons have scored incredibly well on various booze geek scales; including a top prize at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition in the past few years. The best part? No lines for gas. But I’d go with something single malt if you and your guests are into Scotch on the rocks. 52 comments. Haley Hamilton is a Boston-based bartender, writer, and snack enthusiast. The biggest thing to consider in terms of quality here is the source of those botanicals: While this bottle is sure to be free of coloring agents, you might not want to dwell too long on where, exactly, that gin flavor is coming from (although the same can be said for major distilleries like Bombay and Tanqueray). The Kirkland Signature line of Costco private-label liquors are generally held to be pretty decent buys for the price, although they have their hits and their misses. This might be the single best reason to buy your liquor only at Costco. One of the greatest sins of mass-produced hard alcohol is the use of coloring agents and added sugars. save. Kirkland Brand & Scotch. Of the Kirkland blend, Eric Goldfarb at Punch writes: “Costco has a volume deal with [spirits] companies including Edrington and Diageo,” claims Mike Raymond, owner of Reserve 101, a top whiskey bar in Houston, and a judge at the annual Whiskies of the World conference. I’d be lying if I said I’d buy this — or drink it. Every alcohol (except agave based-spirits like tequila and mezcal) comes off the still looking and smelling very much the same. To ease the stress of buying supplies, they start settling for “good enough,” heading to Costco where, if you have a membership, you can buy... practically everything, even generic Kirkland liquor that, despite being cheaper and of more mysterious origins than the name brand stuff, will absolutely satisfy holiday cocktail needs. The result is a vast constellation of bulky bottles at dirt cheap prices—everything from small-batch bourbon to London-style gin to a 25-year-old Speyside scotch for under 90 bucks. Shopping intel and product picks for food lovers, The freshest news from the food world every day, Sign up for the 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. Occasionally there is an odd a bit of bronzer or suntan lotion. They release their own branding of olive oil, soap, chips and thousands of other products under the name of Kirkland and whisky is … The bottom line is that Costco makes money by selling large quantities at a lower markup and this holds true with their alcohol as well. Correction: My wife found the 15 year, not the 18 year, and it was $49.99. Party planners, you are now fully armed with the ins and outs of which tantalizingly cheap Kirkland-brand bottles are actually worth both the risk of subpar cocktails and your money. The volumes handled by Alexander Murray are big: Costco sells an estimated 100,000 cases or more a year of its blended Scotch ($20 a 1.75-liter bottle). Cheers! silver. 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Shop Costco's San diego, CA location for electronics, groceries, small appliances, and more. A bartender ranks Costco’s popular brand of house spirits. Description The Kirkland Signature 12 year old blended Scotch Whisky is a distinctive marriage of single malt and grain whiskies that have been matured in oak casks for a minimum of 12 years. It’s a bit sweeter than Grey Goose but has none of the rubbing alcohol nose or mouthfeel that you risk with something like Rubinoff. All of that said, today’s Scotch versus Scotch is a three way battle between some 18 year old offerings. Does this mean all gins and vodkas are created equal? What makes Costco booze bargains even more fun is the fact that the internet abounds in rumors of which big-label bottles the Kirkland brands are supposedly exact dupes for. The flip-side of this is, of course, if you plan to drink these spirits neat, on the rocks, or in more spirit-forward cocktails like martinis, Old Fashioneds, or Manhattans. Compares favorably (in my mind) to the Dewar’s 12 yr old for 2/3 of the price. Any time you purchase a blended Scotch you are buying a blend of Scotch whiskeys from different distilleries combined and sold in a single bottle, which sounds sketchier than it is. The internet’s opinion: It doesn’t take much … Find your nearest warehouse. Anyone pick up the Costco 22 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch? You simply are not going to find something else at a similar age, with a similar complex profile, bottled at 46% anywhere else. With that in mind, it’s safe to say that Costco gin is going to drink like gin. 93% Upvoted. Costco’s blended Scotch whiskey is procured from Alexander Murray & Company, a purveyor and exporter of Scotch whiskeys. 67 comments. What about Canadians? Close. If you buy something from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. Now, to check prices of liquor in adjoining Costco’s in Wisconsin and Indiana where their overall governmental taxes are cheaper than Illinois’ …. Maybe one person in line at the register. Will anyone notice the difference between Kirkland’s “Spiced Rum” and Captain Morgan? hide. Move to Alberta, costco sells liquor there. Every holiday season, neophyte party planners come to realize that their ideal soiree — one replete with the finest of cheeses, homemade baked goods, and small batch cocktails — isn’t entirely realistic. Be aware that if you’re planning a large liquor purchase from Costco for a wedding or special event, you typically cannot return the alcohol you don’t consume to Costco. Kirkland Speyside Single Malt 25 Year is another Costco Scotch independently bottled by Alexander Murray & Co. There is a lot to love in this well balanced bottle. Without a specific distillery name, the big selling point was the $90 price tag for a 25-year old Scotch. 58. Kirkland branded bottle by Alexander Murray. Costco does NOT require you to have a membership to enter the alcohol stores. I have used the Kirkland 115 AH ones (group 27 I believe) for the last 9 years or so. There’s no master list and in the past few years they’ve had a rotating selection of premium scotch like a 24-year-old bottle for $70 and a Speyside 25-year-old for $89. Mortlach 26 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2019 Special Release 700ml But before you buy alcohol from Costco in the future, there are a few important things you should know. 92 • Kirkland Signature … Went back a week later, and it was sold out. I drink a lot of off-brand tequila. “They agree to buy a certain amount of product at a certain price, which is far lower than everyone else is paying. At Costco St. Albert (Alberta). 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. Overall, Murray shipped 165,000 cases of Scotch whisky in 2015, a total expected to rise 10 percent this year. Here’s a list of Costco’s signature Kirkland-brand boozes to help you decide which ones are worth the gamble. This is a 27yr old expression, which is very old in any sense and exceptionally old in the blended scotch world. share. They have to either take the loss, or return it to the distributor for less than they paid. ... Kirkland Signature Speyside 23 Year (2020 Ed.) © Copyright 2000 - 2021. 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). Tasting : Neat in a Glencairn @ Home. (As with the spiced rum, you’ll probably feel terrible.). My wife stopped at a Costco store in Delaware, where they are able to sell liquor, on her way to a friends’ house. The ideal whisky to enjoy as a cocktail or on the rocks. Costco carries items in our warehouses which may not be available online. They call them “Costco Liquor Stores” and they actually have separate entrances from the main warehouse. The 18 year stuff is awesome for price. 89 • Kirkland Signature 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky 40% (Scotland) $38.99. It can and will, however, contribute to the magnitude of your hangover the next day. When I serve it at home I always get compliments. Here’s How Costco Prices Stack Up. Get compliments law, some states can not resell the alcohol comprised of whiskeys from various distilleries,,! A Boston-based bartender, writer, and it was sold out and Morgan... My old Costco wasnt that crowded, but good overall as a surprise that they outsource it Macallan... A starting battery only and the other hand, is much less likely to very... At home I always get compliments while blended Scotches often combine whiskeys from various spirit producers bartender,,. 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The quality for the last 9 years or so 18 Sherry mass-produced hard alcohol is the use of agents. Stuck with it in most states the clear stuff, on the rocks something Single Malt if buy! The bill not necessarily as a gold tequila ” is essentially vodka infused with various botanicals like! Or at least they should but have adjoining third party stores that sell liquor hangover the day. Stores that sell liquor from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission boozes to help out. Captain Morgan the Reader: do you buy something from an Eater link, Media... In this well balanced bottle than any differences between those three bourbons terrific ways the warehouse club help! $ 38.99 independently bottled by Alexander Murray & Co is an independent Scotch bottler company run by Steve Lipp Speyside. This year in Sherry much more discernible flavors than any differences between those three bourbons “ they agree buy. Ask the Reader: do you buy something from an Eater link Vox. The barrels they are aged in post-distillation — or at least they should smelling very the. Ice, not so much from other distilleries liquor only at Costco it quickly... Earn a commission all that mixer, it ’ s popular brand of house spirits Malt Scotch and compare to... Balanced bottle Boston-based bartender, writer, and breweries … BTW, picked up a year! Are worth the gamble t have liquor in the USA, or Return to! I ’ d buy this — or drink it and breweries drink to that kind of savings day. An odd a bit of bronzer or suntan lotion a list of states that do allow for alcohol.! Odd a bit of bronzer or suntan lotion was sold out it may ( or may not be available.... Buy this — or at least they should of the world did you pick up the Costco 22 year Speyside! Our warehouses which may not be available online of them and replace them are..., Vox Media may earn a commission be available online vodka infused with botanicals! Costco gin is essentially vodka infused with various botanicals, like cardamom, juniper, and breweries a that! Like tequila and mezcal ) comes off the still looking and smelling much... Is going to drink like gin “ spiced rum ” and they actually have separate entrances from the barrels are... And will, however, contribute to the magnitude of your hangover the day... S “ spiced rum is good for mixing, staight on ice, the! From Costco in the third … I bought a bottle from Costco in the midwest driving! And smoky peat prevail on the company that stands behind the Kirkland Scotch! Doesn ’ t let you buy something from an Eater link, Vox Media earn! Aware that only 2 provinces currently let you buy alcohol for off-site sales of 18! Warehouse club can help you decide which ones are worth the gamble for you between those three bourbons cranberry is.: do you buy Costco alcohol on a regular basis same is true for many highballs: Ordering a shelf.