I know almost nothing about Costco. I have never had a membership. I’ve been in the liquor section of the location closest to me exactly one time. In fact, about the only thing I do know about the company is that their house brand is Kirkland.
So it was a bit strange when I went to my local mom and pop liquor store and saw a liter of Kirkland Bourbon on the shelf. Of course, I know that there is a Minnesota law that forbids store-exclusive liquor brands. But this has usually played out with the Total Wine Spirits Direct brands landing on the shelves of local stores. This is the first time that I’ve seen a Costco brand in the wild.
So like I said, I know next to nothing about Costco. But, unlike the Total Wine brands, I do know something about the Costco bourbon. Namely who made it. Emblazoned at the top of the label are the words “by Barton 1792.” I love this. In fact, it was what made me pick up the bottle we are talking about tonight. I really like the bourbon that comes out of the Barton 1792 distillery and I liked that they were willing to put their name on the barrels that they sold to someone else.
The usual practice in the US, for what would be termed “independent bottlers” in other countries, is for a company to source their bourbon from a distillery who then makes them sign an non-disclosure agreement about where they got it. In other words, they didn’t want their name associated with the bourbon for one reason or another. It is speculation on my part that this was, at least in part, because they were either selling a product that was non-standard for their house style or because that it was a product that wasn’t necessarily their best. Like I said, speculation on my part, but when someone doesn’t want their name on a product, what else are you supposed to think? I mean it could be that the supplier doesn’t want someone trading in on their good name, but if they are getting paid either way and they are selling decent stuff, is it really that bad?
No idea, I write for tips on the internet and they run multi-million dollar corporations. It is possible that they understand these things better than I do. But that said, I still picked up the Kirkland Signature by Barton 1792 and not one of many other NDP-produced bourbons that fill the shelves.
Kirkland Signature Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey by Barton 1792
Purchase Info: $33.99 for a 1 liter bottle at Viking Liquor Barrel, Prior Lake, MN.
Price per Drink (50 mL): $1.70
Details: 60% ABV. Non-Chill Filtered.
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, almond, oak, light fruit.
Mouth: Damn, that's hot! Nutmeg, almond, toffee, mint, and oak.
Finish: Medium length and warm. Toffee, almond, and mint.
Thoughts: Is this a world-beater? No. But, it tastes good, it's high proof, and it is only $1.70 per pour. Let's just say that I went back to the store to grab a few more liters of this before I posted the review. This is a great everyday bourbon that also happens to also be overproof. I'm a fan. It is tasty enough to use in cocktails or cooking and inexpensive enough that I don’t mind using it that way. Plus as I said, I love the transparency on who made it. Right on the front label. Even bigger fan of that.
If you are in Minnesota and see this at your local, pick it up. If you are anywhere else and have a Costco membership you should consider doing the same.
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