Costco's Kirkland Signature 20 year Single Malt scotch whisky

[compliance]

This is starting to show up at Costcos across the country. I think they do a limited release like this yearly, last year they had a good deal on some Macallan. This year's deal is a 20 year old of unknown origin (at least so far), for about $45 :bigeyes:.

I'm going to hunt tomorrow. In the meantime if anyone knows the source, or even better has tasting notes, please share so we all know how many cases to buy

[wadewood]

I strongly suggest you buy, open, and taste a bottle before buying cases. Just because a SM is 20 years does not make it good. There is a 33 page thread on this over at http://slickdeals.net/f/5617412-Costco-BM-Kirkland-Signature-20-year-Single-Malt-scotch-whisky-for-44-99.

[compliance]

Yeah, I'm definitely not going to grab a bunch blind. I brought home 2 today, so I guess I'll be one of the guinea pigs. Was hoping to get some notes from a more experienced pallet first. I mostly drink Islays and not too many Speysides, so I probably won't have much clue where it fits on the value scale compared to other bottles anyway.

You try any yet Wade? I'm going to crack mine now I guess. I have a feeling this stuff will be gone within a week or so.

[wadewood]

You try any yet Wade?

No Costco owned liquor stores in Texas so answer is no.

[compliance]

Impromptu taste test. Kirkland Signature Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky versus the only other Speyside in my collection right now, Balvenie Double Wood 12 year old. Note the Balvenie has been opened about a month or so.

This is probably a good comparison based on price, the Kirkland is $45. The DW is a well known widely available Speyside at about the same price. They are both finished in sherry casks. The DW has a name brand, the Kirkland has an extra 8 years. DW at 43%, Kirkland 40% abv.

Color: Very similar with the Kirkland being slightly darker.

Nose: The Kirkland is richer but more closed off right now. The DW has been open about a month and the bottle is half done, so it's had some time to open up. The DW is lighter in comparison, more fruit like, maybe a bit of orange, but I get a little bit of a marker note on the DW also that's more noticeable when compared to the Kirkland. The Kirkland is darker fruit, closer to plums. My wife differentiated them by calling them fall and summer. The sherry finish is apparent on both and they are both (obviously) the same style.

Taste: The DW continues to be lighter here, but I enjoy the little extra alcohol kick it has compared to the Kirkland. The Kirkland is smooth and a bit reminiscent of cough syrup (not in a particularly bad way). It could use more proof, it's a pretty relaxed sipper. I think a noob would really like it actually, since they all seem to think the smoother something is the better. I will give the edge in taste to the Kirkland. It's got more depth, but it's also a bit of a tease about it. I would like to think this will really open up after some air, and I get the feeling it will.

I'll confirm that the Kirkland is good scotch. I like it. I'm not big on Speysides so I can't really get into the nitty gritty differences in them, but it's giving me what I expect from one. It's better than DW, although there are things I enjoy about the DW more (my overall opinion of DW is that it is a good but middle of the road bottle). You are getting the increased complexity of an older malt, but I can't say how it compares to other 20yos. I don't really like giving instant reviews, but since there's a time crunch on this I wanted to get some info out there. I look forward to contemplating this bottle further. If it opens up I can see myself singing the praises a little louder. At the price you can't miss, even though it might not have a standout character. If it did it probably wouldn't be labeled Kirkland, and it certainly wouldn't be $45.

[wadewood]

nice notes and at the price point a good deal for these with Costco locations own their own liquor stores.

[Max Power]

I had it and it's good. It's got nice balance of fruit, spice and a really looooooooong finish. It has a bit more spice than many younger speyside whiskys. I'd recommend it, but I don't know if it's worth going out and buying cases full.

[MacinJosh]

Picked one up today. I'll try to get notes soon.

[jeffrey r]

Not a huge scotch guy, but couldn't pass this up when it showed up at my Costco today. Plenty available, but I am sure not for long.

[MtnDew]

Still none of these available in the NW, which is funny since even the Kirkland Costco does not have the Kirkland Signature scotch!!!

I'm eagerly awaiting picking up a bottle for tasting, I called and our stores should be getting them in soon.

[MtnDew]

Just called the 4th Ave Costco in Seattle and they expect their shipment in tomorrow or the day after, hopefully I'll finally get to try this!

[Brisko]

I'll be curious to try this. With the possible exception of the Kirkland Bourbon, most of the Kirkland liquors have tended to be rather bland and inoffensive-- which translates to not bad, but not interesting, either. At that price point I wonder if it might be Tomintoul. The official 16 is quite reasonably priced but also pretty boring. Just thinking out loud, no inside information here.

[jeffrey r]

As I said above, not a big scotch guy, but I cracked this open tonight, and it's actually pretty good. I have essentially no frame of reference for scotch, but I find this smooth, slightly sweet, overall nice flavor, and lacking the peat and smoke which would not really appeal to me anyway. All in all, a nice whiskey, and a nice alternative to my more regular Bourbon and Irish. I'll pick up another one to have around.

[sob0728]

I'll be curious to try this. With the possible exception of the Kirkland Bourbon, most of the Kirkland liquors have tended to be rather bland and inoffensive-- which translates to not bad, but not interesting, either. At that price point I wonder if it might be Tomintoul. The official 16 is quite reasonably priced but also pretty boring. Just thinking out loud, no inside information here.

Costco in MN also has a 15 year-old that was distilled at Macallan for $49.99. If you are looking for something with a known source.

[MtnDew]

The Seattle Costco now has it in stock but after our liquor taxes it's $72 so I passed. I'm kinda kicking myself but I have a lot of good stuff on hand and for $70 I could pick up another bottle of the Balvenie 15 year SB or the 14 year Carib cask, both of which I really enjoy.