Review: Kirkland - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond
When it comes to whiskey, there are few things I love more than a good value. Now, don't get me wrong... I love hunting rare bottles, and the excitement of finally getting to try a unicorn; however, I find it equally exciting to find a hidden gem that is readily available on the shelves at a great price. So when I saw the release of the new Kirkland - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond, I knew I had to try it.
Bottle Background
Kirkland is obviously not distilling their own whiskey, so who is making it? The Kirkland - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond is made by Barton 1792... Yes, that 1792. Which, in my opinion, solidifies the value in this bottle. I paid 25.99 for a 1L bottle. If this had a 1792 label on it, it would be at least double, maybe triple that price. If this bottle were always available at Costco, it would be a staple in the collection; however, this sadly seems to be a yearly release.
Initial Thoughts
- Color: Lighter than I would have expected given the age statement. Not necessarily a bad thing, but just something I found interesting
- Nose: Caramel, Dried Fruit, Honey, Sweet, Vanilla
- Palate: Caramel, Citrus, Vanilla
- Finish: Pecan
- Overall Rating: 4/5 when factoring in price
In-Depth Review
If you are a fan of 1792, you need to grab this bottle. Kirkland has done a great job of mimicking their whole lineup, giving you more Juice in the bottle and selling it at half the price. This is not a bottle that will blow you away or be the best glass of whiskey you'll ever have, but it is a great value.
I have tried every offering from the Kirkland lineup, and I can confidently say this is my favorite. The nose is more interesting, the taste more complex, and it really seems like a bottle that is hitting above its weight class in terms of price. If this Juice were in a standard 750ml bottle, I would still consider it reasonably priced at $30-$40. In the Neat: Whiskey Finder app, this bottle currently has an average rating of 3.5/5 stars.
What could be better?
Let me preface this by saying that, for the price, this bottle is already a steal; however, when taking the cost out of the equation, it falls short of perfection. So what would I improve?
- Color: I wish this bottle had a darker color; if it were a slightly darker caramel color, it would really feel like a premium offering at a budget price.
- Nose: The nose is quite lovely on this bottle. It's approachable, yet complex, and doesn't leave much to be desired.
- Taste: This is where I wish it were a little more complex. The notes are there, but none really stand out, and I find myself really digging to pinpoint them. A slightly longer age statement on this bottle would have done wonders, allowing it to compete with many bottles in the $50-$60 category.
Is This a Buy or Bye?
The Kirkland - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond is the definition of a buy. At the price point, it's hard to beat. I would actually love to put this up against the other "heavy hitters" in the budget category, because I would not be surprised if it blew them away from a taste perspective. If you are a fan of 1792, this is something you need to seek out. If not, I still recommend it for those who, like me, love the feeling of finding a good deal.
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