Few generic products have caught the attention of consumers quite like the liquor options
at Costco.
Not only are Kirkland Signature liquors a great price, but many of them also rival their
name-brand counterparts as far as quality goes.
Still, some don't quite measure up to other options, so here are our picks for the brand's
best and worst.
"Get me a glass of Kirkland and a Klondike bar, kid.
Will ya?"
Costco carries three store-brand tequila varieties: Añejo, Silver, and Reposado.
The Añejo gets points for its relatively low price point for an aged tequila, and the
Reposado gets rave reviews from those who can get their hands on it - but the Silver,
also touted as "blanco," falls short compared to its siblings.
First of all, its flavor and aroma profiles contain very strong alcohol notes that overpower
the agave and citrus flavors that make a tequila sippable.
This is the kind of tequila that results in sour faces when its shot straight-up.
Sure, sometimes a little pain is what you're looking for, but this is the type of subpar
drinking experience that gives tequila a bad reputation.
Crown Royal fans, rejoice!
The Kirkland Signature Canadian Blended Whisky is considered a great duplicate of the popular
name-brand spirit, and at a much better price compared to what the bottle in the purple
bag goes for.
Flavor-wise, you can expect that harsh burn at the front followed by the sweet, smokey,
and maple finishing notes that people enjoy from their Canadian whiskies.
Best of all?
At around $20 for the 1.75 L bottle, it’s a pretty solid bargain if you're a fan of
Canadian whisky in your highballs.
Kirkland Signature 7-Year Small Batch Bourbon simply misses the mark, relative to Costco's
best offerings.
It's not terrible - it's just OK.
At 51.5 percent alcohol by volume, this bourbon comes off very hot, meaning it has that harsh
alcohol burn that can turn people off from a liquor.
It also lacks complexity, missing out on the various sweet and spicy notes that can make
a spirit interesting.
After all, that's what people like about bourbon - it's a drink that's strong up front, but
mellows out on the palate to showcase other flavors, making it enjoyable to drink.
There's no denying there are better bourbons out there that only cost a dollar or two more,
if they cost more at all.
In most markets, this bourbon is similar in price to brands like Maker's Mark and Bulleit
Rye - and those options taste better.
The Kirkland Original Blended Scotch Whisky has a nice, caramel color and scent notes
of vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and - of course - peat.
"Ah, the peat."
Flavor-wise, you'll notice hints of brown sugar, plums, orange, and malt.
It's not overly-complicated; it's a very basic blended scotch distinguished by its clean
drinkability.
It's not going to impress aficionados, but if you want something that tastes good for
a nighttime scotch and soda, it'll get the job done.
It's also a good option if you want something that's nice and dry, perfect for your favorite
scotch cocktails, or mixed into a boozy winter punch.
Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum isn't the best buy on the Costco liquor shelves, as it’s
not really that much cheaper than more well-regarded brands like Captain Morgan.
Compared to other spiced rums, this one fails to impress, with up-front sweetness and not
a lot of complexity.
If you happen to enjoy the flavor, then by all means enjoy it - but don't expect anything
too revelatory.
This is not a bottle set to blow you away.
The best thing about it is that it's cheap - and unlike many of the Kirkland brand's
other liquors, it kind of tastes like it.
Costco's most buzzworthy liquor has its reputation for a reason, with a clean taste that draws
comparisons to Grey Goose - a premium name brand with which it shares a water source.
It's scored favorably to Grey Goose in many blind taste tests, featuring a distinctive
viscosity, a medium weight, and a silky mouthfeel.
Its flavor is clean and bright with a subtle sweetness that makes it a great vodka for
drinking straight or on the rocks.
At a significantly lower price than Grey Goose, no wonder people can’t get enough of it.
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