Kirkland Signature Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

VITALS:

- $37

- 100 Proof

- NAS

- Islay

I have had a lot of fun grabbing some of the Kirkland Signature offerings at Costco.  Of course, some of them have indicated which distillery they come from. Some have been clearly higher end or more limited release items, carrying healthy age statements at reasonable prices.

This bottle, however, is just a simple, off-the-shelf Islay Single Malt.  The bottle doesn't indicate where it's from. It doesn't carry an age statement. And, it only states that it was "matured in oak casks."  But, for a mere $37, I was more than happy to throw it into my cart.  I do love those smoky Islay single malts, and at the very least I figured I'd be getting something along the lines of Ardbeg's Wee Beastie.

The nose was full of those phenols, giving off a strong peat aroma. It was definitely along the lines of a campfire soot type of smoke.  I didn't really get the band aid note, or even fresh campfire note. It was that charcoal and ash note.  Interestingly, there was something sweet in the aroma as well. It wasn't prominent, but there was definitely a honey and even a butterscotch note.

As to flavor, this was unquestionably an Islay single malt. It was smoky, filling my mouth with that freshly put out campfire note that I was getting off the nose. It was fairly heavy and definitely took over the pour.  

However, the sweet notes were there as well.  The butterscotch that I got on the nose and was hunting for on each sip was there, but it was fleeting. However, there was a light honey note as well as a sort of cereal note that reminded me of graham crackers and even Honey Smacks cereal . . . but smoked. I assume that this is a fairly young whisky. So, it was interesting that I also got a somewhat prominent oak note. It wasn't bitter, but it definitely had that oaky flavor to it. 

The finish left that smoke all over my mouth. It was hard to escape, and it reminded me a bit of smoking a cigar, where that taste just doesn't seem to go away, no matter if you drink something else, eat something or even brush your teeth. I like the peat, but here it was just so one-dimensional that there wasn't much else left on the finish.

For the price, this is a buy. However, I'm not grabbing this off my shelf if I'm in the mood for a really good Islay single malt.  

Grade: C+ 

Kirkland Signature Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

VITALS:

- $28

- 92 Proof

- NAS

- Lowlands

I'm a sucker for a good deal, and so far it's been my experience that some of the best deals out there are the Kirkland bottlings at Costco. They released a line of 1792 bourbons that have all been excellent. They keep releasing well-age stated Scotches that have all been fantastic. And they've released a sort of non-age-stated series that appears to highlight different regions, including an Islay release that's quite impressive.

So, finding this Lowland single malt finished in Sherry casks was a pleasant surprise. While it doesn't come with an age statement, it certainly comes with a great price tag of less than $30!!  And, I honestly don't get a whole lot of Lowlands Scotches, so it seemed a great opportunity to add one to my shelf.

The nose gave off great aromas of orchard fruits. Specifically, I got a great mix of fresh pear and fresh green apple (as opposed to that over-ripe apple note I tend to get in underaged whiskies).  There was a slight malty backbone, but those fruity notes really took center stage. On later pours the sherry seemed to come through, providing a bit of a raspberry note, but it seemed that pear apple combination continued to dominate.

And that pear note continued right through the palate. That fresh pear note was the first flavor that hit my tongue when I took a sip. That was immediately followed, though, by a sweet crackery note and a honey note, kind of like a graham cracker but lighter, if that makes sense.  Maybe a bit like Honeycombs cereal?

Interestingly, it developed a slight spiciness, but not like a pepper or cinnamon spice. Rather, it was more of a ginger spice. I'm not sure where that came from, but it did work really well with the pear and honey notes, making for a pretty cohesive and interesting pour.

On the finish, I did get a bit of a black pepper spice that lingered in the back of my throat. Those pear and honey notes seemed to evaporate a bit as well, leaving me with a crackery, malty note as well. This was where this whisky did fall flat a bit. While it was tasty and interesting up front, it left a bit to be desired on the finish. 

Nonetheless, this was, without a doubt, a great value, as it was a delicious whisky at an even more delicious price!

Grade: B