Kirkland 20 Year Speyside Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish

Starts off sweet finishes smooth really like this scotch

It’s time for another Costco store brand whisky, this time it’s a 20 year old, Speyside single malt scotch. It’s bottled under the Kirkland brand for Costco and it’s believed to be ex-bourbon cask Mortlach or Longmorn whisky that’s been finished for around 6 months in an ex-sherry barrel that previously held Macallan. It typically sells for around $55-60 and bottled at 46% ABV. Thanks to Virginia liquor laws, I’m unable to buy it locally and I have to rely on a sample from a friend. Thanks @dubz480 for the generous pour. It’s a wonderful sunset copper in the Glencairn. It’s also seriously oily and thick appearing, with fat legs and slow running drops. The nose begins with a delicious grape jam note that segues into buttery, rich sherry. There’s a surprising heavy oak cask bite that acts as a backbone to all of the sweetness. It even gives off a new, virgin oak vibe- sawdust and biting wood that’s peppered and lightly charred. There’s no heat, even at 46%, and I think that’s due to the spirit taking on the properties of one that’s been triple distilled, even though I’m sure this one wasn’t. The palate is also butter smooth, which is no surprise to something that’s been in a quality cask for two decades. Again, the grape must and sherry note leads the way before relinquishing it’s hold on the tongue for the late, back end vanilla and toffee flavors. The transition seems timed and there’s a lingering, vine-ripened fruit and berry note that permeates the finish. It’s a rich, warm finish at that- medium in length with some oak tannins and cask tones that reveal a well-aged whisky. Overall, for $55 this can compete in just about any value for money competition. It would even hold its own in a Speyside sherry-finished whisky contest, regardless of age. The two decades it spent are noticeable, the sherry finishing is apparent, but it doesn’t mask the ex-bourbon properties either. This is a very fine whisky and one Alexander Murray and Costco should be very proud to offer. 4 stars with a bump for the price point. 4.25 stars, quite easily. Cheers.

Damn, I’m happy I stopped into Costco today. It’s been a brutal week and was in need of some good news. I guess I consider this a solid, small victory as they just got this Scotch in a day ago. I heard good things about the Kirkland 18-year-old Scotch and had been looking for it to no avail, and was excited to see my Costco was offering a 20-year-old Speyside single malt with a sherry-cask finish. It was $56, and it’s proved to be a damn-good offering. I’m sure you’ll find better tastings in the 18-20 year range, but I’d put this up against any 15-year old Scotch that I’ve tried...and it’s the price of a good 12-15. Nose: Sweet, bready with waves of vanilla, honey and lemon icing. Almost reminds me of Sprite with the intense sweetness and citrus flavor. Definitely some notes of dried fruits with a touch of saltiness as well at the end. It’s truly a pleasant nose. Taste: It keeps changing. To me, that’s a sign of a top-tier whiskey. Or at least that's a quality I value in whiskey. I’ve gotten about nearly a dozen different tastes, and they all are cohesive with the nose. At various times I’ve gotten honey, mango, pear, coffee, a touch of cherry, green apple and sweet rolls (a la any Roadhouse restaurant where they throw peanuts on the floor)...oh, and I also get peanut brittle, too! Finish: At 46%, there’s a little burn at the end...but it goes with the entire drink. This doesn’t fight you, but rather takes you for a straightforward and enjoyable ride as that slightly burns complements the sweetness throughout. Overall/Value: If you can get it for $55-$60, jump on it. I’d pay $75-$80 for this, comfortably. It’s a fun experience without doing anything crazy. I could easily see comparable Scotch going in the $100 range.

Let this baby open up 2 weeks to a month and retry it, it changes dramatically for the better. Yum...