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Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin
Currently, Costco offers ten whiskey expressions under its Kirkland Signature brand. One of which is the Kirkland Tennessee Whiskey.
Because it often gets compared to the two Tennesee whiskey giants, Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel, many whiskey enthusiasts became very interested in this distilled spirit.
Read on to find out everything about the Kirkland Tennessee whiskey – price, mash bills, history, and more!
About Kirkland Tennessee Whiskey
Kirkland Signature Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey is one of the ten whiskey expressions of Costco bottled with a 40% alcohol content and costs around $18.99 to $36.99 per 1.75 liters.
Around November 2020, Costco announced its partnership with the Tennessee Distilling Company on its official Facebook page.
Mike Williams, the company’s Master Distiller, disclosed that he blends the spirit using non-GMO grains. It uses a mash bill of 70% corn, 15% rye, and 15% barley.
Although this Tennessee whiskey does not carry an official age statement, its back label reveals that this spirit has been aged for four years.
Read: Is Tennessee Whiskey Also Bourbon?
Interesting Facts
History
Although there’s not much information about Kirkland Tennessee whiskey’s official release date, based on the video released by Costco’s official Facebook page, this spirit was introduced to the public on November 26, 2020.
It wasn’t released to all Costco stores at once, even a year later. However, most Costco stores in various states have started to put this spirit on their shelves.
Read: Our Top Tennessee Whiskey Brands
Production & Maturation Process
This Tennessee whiskey is primarily made of corn-based sour mash. It is mellowed through a dense layer of sweet sugar maple charcoal through the “Lincoln County Process,” providing the spirit’s unique character.
Since this spirit is a Tennessee whiskey, it undergoes almost the same production process as bourbon, except it undergoes the Lincoln County Process [1].
It is produced in the state of Tennessee, adhering to strict requirements of labeling Tennessee whiskeys [2].
It is matured in American white oak barrels and settled into rick houses for four years.
Base Materials
This whiskey uses select corn sour mash, water, and malted barley. Mike Williams says they only use non-GMO grains to produce this spirit.
Although its mash bill hasn’t been officially disclosed, most people speculate that it uses the mash bill comprising 70% corn, 15% rye, and 15% barley.
Ownership & Distillery
Kirkland Tennessee whiskey is one of the official spirits of Costco’s Kirkland Signature. It is distilled and bottled by the Tennessee Distilling Company and blended by Mike Williams, the company’s Master Distiller. More on who makes Kirkland Tennessee whiskey here.
Tasting Notes
- Palate: Candied sweetness with fruit notes of stone and tropical fruits like mango and melon, vanilla, some toasted oak, cinnamon, hints of charred wood, and some pepperiness with a slight but persistent bitterness
- Color: Light copper
- Nose: Noticeable sweetness with savory notes of caramel and some hints of mint
- Finish: Long, sweet, and a smooth finish with lingering notes of dried fruits
Common Kirkland Tennessee Whiskey Price
| Type | Size | Alcohol By Volume | Average Price |
| Kirkland Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey | 1.75 liters | 40% | $18.99 to $36.99 |
Compared to Other Tennessee Whiskeys
George Dickel
Most people claim that Kirkland Tennessee whiskey tastes like George Dickel. However, Costco’s Tennesse Sour Mash whiskey tastes slightly sweeter than George Dickel’s No. 8 Sour Mash Tennessee Whiskey.
You can get George Dickel at roughly $36 for a 1.75-liter bottle, almost the same price as Kirkland’s.
Jack Daniel’s
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey costs around $45 on Drizly online, obviously more expensive than Kirkland’s.
Most people say Kirkland Tennessee whiskey is a Jack Daniel’s knock-off because they taste similar. However, Kirkland whiskey tastes drier, smoother, and has less bite than Jack Daniel’s.
Uncle Nearest
Uncle Nearest 1856 premium whiskey costs .99 for a 750-ml bottle on Drizly online. It’s more expensive than Kirkland because it’s an inaugural whiskey released for a special occasion.
Although it is bottled at 100 proof, it can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.
Popular Kirkland Tennessee Whiskey Cocktail Recipe
Highball
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Kirkland Tennessee whiskey
- 2 oz fresh lemon sour
- 3 dashes of orange bitters
- chilled dry ginger ale
- ice
Instructions: Add all ingredients In a mixing glass except for the chilled dry ginger ale. Then, shake the glass with ice until the mixture is well blended.
Strain the mixture into an ice-filled Highball glass. Spritz with chilled dry ginger ale. You may garnish it with a swizzle stick and freshly cut orange slices. Serve.
Serving: 1
Manhattan
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Kirkland Tennessee whiskey
- 1/2 oz sweet, Italian vermouth
- Ice
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- cocktail cherry or orange peel (optional)
Instructions: Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and then stir for 30 seconds. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 seconds before straining it into a cocktail glass.
You may garnish it with a cocktail cherry or an orange peel. Serve.
Serving: 1
FAQs
Is Kirkland Tennessee sour mash whiskey good?
Kirkland Tennessee sour mash whiskey is good, considering its price point and palate. It also has a long, smooth, sweet finish with lingering dried fruit notes.
It may have a mild yet persistent pepperiness, but it’s still a great deal.
Does Kirkland Tennessee whiskey taste like Jack Daniel’s?
Based on our blind taste tests, Kirkland Tennessee whiskey does taste a little bit like Jack Daniel’s. It’s drier than Jack Daniels but tastes sweeter and mellower.
Hence, if you expect Kirkland Signature Tennessee whiskey to be exactly like Jack Daniel’s, you’ll be disappointed.
Is Kirkland Tennessee whiskey easy to find?
Yes, Kirkland Tennessee whiskey is easy to find. You can buy it in any Costco store nationwide. However, its price may vary depending on the store’s location.
Final Thoughts
Kirkland Tennessee whiskey costs around $18.99 to $36.99 for 1.75 liters, depending on the state where the Costo store is located. It’s cheaper than Jack Daniels and George Dickel, to which it has always been compared.
It has a smoother, sweeter, and mellower taste with less bite than Jack Daniels, making it an excellent option, especially when you’re budget is restricted.
If you want to try this Tennessee whiskey, we suggest drinking it alongside other Tennessee whiskeys.
References:
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343900183_Changes_in_Tennessee_Whiskey_Odorants_by_the_Lincoln_County_Process
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/tennessee-whiskey-basics-760385#
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.
