Kirkland Small Batch Bourbon Bottle Review & Guide (2023)
Last Updated on March 7, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Kirkland Small Batch is a notable new labeling bourbon distilled by Barton for Costco Warehouses. The two brands are in a clear partnership, ready to enter the whiskey world with their new bourbon expressions.
If you think a Kirkland bottle is worth a try, check out our Kirkland Small Batch bourbon review to get an informed decision.
Everything About Kirkland Small Batch Bourbon
Kirkland Small Batch is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, non-chill filtered with 60% ABV.
Barton 1792 Distillery and Costco teamed up to produce a liter of Kirkland Signature Small Batch for a very reasonable price.
Kirkland’s Signature Small Batch is a sourced Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey from Barton, and it is distributed by one of the world’s largest retailers of alcoholic beverages.
Did You Know?
Brief History
Kirkland Signature Small Batch is a sourced whiskey from Barton 1792 Distillery, and previously, Costco, the owner of the brand, did not disclose the producers of all their spirit expressions.
Before closing the partnership with Barton, the whiskeys were previously sourced from two big distillers, Jim beam and George Dickel.
For almost 143 years, Barton has established a great reputation for producing premium spirits, so it is wise for Costco to team up with the distillery for Kirkland’s distilled spirits.
But how’s the Costco bourbon selection?
Production Process
Kirkland bourbon is produced by Barton distillery, and since it shares the same DNA as the distillery, it uses the same mash bill the distillery uses.
The production process starts with a sour mash, the grain recipe, yeast, and water.
It will be distilled twice for purification then it is aged in new charred oak barrels as a requirement of being a bourbon [1].
Main Ingredients
All bourbons should contain at least 51% corn, but given their sweet and spicy palate, it contains above 51% corn.
The Kirkland Bourbon does not publicly disclose the mash bill recipe, but since Barton produces it, it is believed to have a high rye content [2].
The remaining grain content of the Kirkland Signature Small Batch is the malted barley, and it is added for its enzyme properties.
Who Makes It
Kirkland Signature Small Batch is produced by Barton on their oldest distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.
Costco owns ten whisky expressions with the Kirkland Signature brand: one Canadian whisky, four scotch whiskies, one Irish whiskey, one Tennessee whiskey, and the three new bourbon expressions.
Aside from producing one of the three Kirkland signature bourbons, the distillery will also help with the bottling of Single Barrel and Bottled in Bond.
Learn more about Kirkland’s Signature Canadian Whisky here.
Kirkland Small Batch Bourbon Taste Test
Palate
The first sip of Kirkland Small Batch Kentucky bourbon is memorable because you’ll taste a hint of banana-flavored candy, rye spice, cinnamon, honey sweetness, and a hint of walnut.
Also, it comes with a hint palate of vanilla, caramel, and persistent dried fruit notes.
Read: Top Bourbons At Costco
Nose
This bottle has a nice balance of caramel and a hint of vanilla, cinnamon, and clove spice on the nose.
In addition, it has a persistent sweet candied fruit note and a hint of rye spice with oak wood on the nose that becomes more noticeable when the whiskey opens up.
Color
While it does not carry an age statement, Kirkland bourbon appears gold to light amber and honey due to its maturation in oak barrels.
Finish
It has a medium-length finish with some fruit notes and lingering notes of vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and oak wood.
Common Kirkland Small Batch Bourbon Price
| Bottle Type | Size | Alcohol By Volume | Average Price |
| Kirkland Small Batch Bourbon | 1 L | 46% | $19-$27 |
FAQs
Where does Kirkland Small-Batch bourbon come from?
Kirkland Small Batch bourbon came from Barton 1792 Distillery in the heart of Kentucky.
It is one of the oldest distilleries that has produced different spirits since 1879, and it is in partnership with Costco. It is named after Kirkland, Washington, where you can find Costco’s head office. More on who makes Kirkland bourbons here.
How long is Kirkland Small-Batch bourbon aged?
There is no disclosure of how long the spirit is aged, but since it is a Kentucky straight bourbon, it must be aged for at least two years before it is bottled.
Final Thoughts
Kirkland Small Batch is a sourced whiskey from Barton, and the distillery’s partnership with Costco made the bourbon an affordable and accessible bourbon whiskey. The distilled spirit uses premium ingredients and production processes for an affordable price.
Moreso, Kirkland Small Batch has great tasting notes, nose, and finish, so it is a bourbon that represents outstanding values!
Reference:
- https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/04/5-rules-that-make-it-bourbon.html
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemicallef/2021/06/20/why-you-should-buy-costcos-kirkland-signature-bourbon/
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.
I bought a bottle of this and felt it was way over hyped. This is not complex at all, just a bit high in the burn factor without giving a higher proof. I would rather drink very old Barton 100 at $13 a fifth and have a way more pleasurable drinking experience on a budget.
Despite all the internet posting no Barton sourced Kirkland bourbon found on the Costco shelf in Illinois, like Kirkland Signature Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Never thought to be chasing unicorns in Costco.
When can we see some Kirkland Bourbon in the San Antonio, Texas area, I’ve been wanting to buy a bottle or two for me and my family. Please let us know. Thank you