Kirkland 12-Year Blended Scotch Whisky At Costco in 2023 (Guide)
Last Updated on December 28, 2022 by Lydia Martin
As Costco introduces its private selection of Kirkland Signature spirits, one bottle recently caught many drinkers’ attention– the Kirkland 12 Year Old Blended Scotch.
Since they’ve launched blended whiskies before, what makes this 12 Year Old Scotch worthy of attention? How can this be unique from the previous blended expressions?
Let’s learn more about this Kirkland 12 Year Blended Scotch: its flavor profile, price, the distillery behind it, and everything you need to know.
What is Kirkland’s 12-Year Blended Scotch Whisky?
Kirkland’s 12 Year Old blended Scotch whisky is distilled and aged in Scotland, then bottled specifically for Alexander Murray & Co. LTD.
This Kirkland Signature 12 Year expression combines grain and single malt whiskies that are aged using oak casks [1] for at least 12 years.
It embodies the tagline in its bottle saying, “An exceptional dram with incredible depth of character,” that every whisky enthusiast should look forward to.
The nose and palate of this whisky blend are filled with spice, smoke, and caramel notes. It’s very smooth and drinkable, a great blend of a 12 Year Old expression.
Who Makes It?
The mastermind behind this Kirkland Signature expression 12 Year Old blended Scotch whisky is Costco, one of the leading liquor retailers worldwide.
Costco owns the propriety brand, Kirkland Signature, including this 12 Year Old Blended Scotch.
But besides Costco, the production of this whisky expression involves Alexander Murray, an independent Scotch whisky company.
How Much Does Kirkland 12-Year Blended Scotch Cost?
This Kirkland 12 Year old expression costs around $55 per 1.75-liter bottle at Costco’s liquor store.
If you’ll ask if this bottle is reasonably priced– well, yes. It is a good deal for booze, given it’s bottled in a larger carafe, compared to other spirits available in 700ml or 750ml bottles.
What Does It Taste Like?
This 12 Year Old blended Scotch whisky is pretty smooth with a slight sweetness and not smoky at all. You can expect some kick with a subtle oak flavor and fruity hints like apricots and apples.
On the nose, it opens with caramel and vanilla aromas with malt notes and a masculine edge.
The flavor is full-bodied on the palate, and you’ll get the dark sherry fruit tone as you proceed.
“I’m on a whisky diet. I’ve lost three days already.”
— Tommy Cooper, Magician/Welsh Pop Comedian
It has a medium to long finish that feels leathery with spicy yet dry notes.
What is Kirkland 12-Year Blended Scotch Comparable To?
The Kirkland 12 Year Old Blended Scotch is comparable to the spirit made within the Scottish region, the Kirkland Blended Scotch Whisky.
These two expressions almost share the same flavor profile, like the vanilla, oak, and fruit notes.
But although they’re aged within the same region, they use different barrels, as the Kirkland Blended Scotch whisky has used American oak casks while aging.
But aside from that, the 12 Year Old expression can also be related to the Kirkland Signature Blended Canadian Whisky and the Kirkland Signature Irish Whiskey.
FAQs
What is the ABV of Kirkland 12-Year Blended Scotch?
The ABV or alcohol content of the Kirkland 12-Year Blended Scotch whisky is 40% or 80-proof. This Costco privately labeled Scotch expression is bottled by Alexander Murray & Co.
Is Kirkland’s 12-Year Blended Scotch smooth?
Yes, Kirkland 12 Year Old Blended Scottish whisky is pretty smooth with some light sweetness.
But the smoothness comes with a kick of alcohol. Its character and flavors justify its 12 year aging process.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this Costco [2] Kirkland Signature expression– the 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky is a competitive spirit with a decent impression at a great value.
Although this bottle won’t stand out compared to other whisky expressions, this is still a must-try from Costco’s private-label Scotch.
Its flavor profile and character– due to aging within the Scotland region– create a decent quality of spirit at a reasonable price.
References:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/oak-barrels
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/personal-finance/articles/3-surprising-things-about-costcos-kirkland-products/
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
