Fred Meyer Vip Admission
Want the BEST ticket deal around? If you purchase your Tasting Garden ticket at any of the following Fred Meyer locations you will receive an additional 4 wine tasting tokens for the same great price, $30! Tickets are on sale now!Visit the Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond, Bellevue, Renton, Lake City or Bothell stores customer service desk and ask to purchase your Kirkland Uncorked ticket and get rewarded! Whats on your list today? A Kirkland Uncorked ticket!
How Much Is A Bottle Of Vodka At Costco
Vodka enthusiasts say this is why Costcos Kirkland bottle tastes so good. It has frequently defeated Grey Goose in blind tastings despite being a third of the price: Costcos 1.75-liter French vodka costs $19.99, while you can expect to pay about $60 for the same-size bottle of Grey Goose, which is owned by Bacardi.
A Wine Blog About Enjoying Wine And Drinking Well For Less
Kirkland Signature Chablis Premier Cru | Top Costco Wines
So there I am, wandering around Costco, surreptitiously updating my popular Guide to Costco Wine, when I spot the fabled unicorn: Costco Kirkland Signature Series Premier Cru Chablis for $14.99 per bottle!
Hailing from Burgundys Northernmost growing region, the Chardonnays produced in Chablis are world-renowned for their tension, energy, and flinty, mineral-driven personalities. The best examples are both delicate and full of energy, but carry a price tag thatll knock the wind out of you. For example, a Google search of yields the following shopping suggestions:
But surely you dont have to spend nearly $200 per bottle to get a respectable bottle of Premier Cru Chablis. According to Wine-searcher, the price averages a far more reasonable $44 per bottle. But to the majority of consumers not used to lofty Burgundy prices, thats still a lot of money for a bottle of Chardonnay so I had to put the surprisingly affordable Kirkland Signature Series Premier Cru to the test
Appearance:Medium yellow with flecks of gold.
Nose: The nose reveals fragrant aromas of apple blossoms and lemon oil against a backdrop of subtle citrus.
Vintage: 2014
Where to get it: The Costco Wine Section.
Price: $14.99
Value Proposition Kirkland Signature Series Premier Cru Chablis | Top Costco Wines
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Kirkland Signature Blended Canadian Whisky
Price: $18.99
The internets opinion: Goldfarb notes that its believed that Kirklands Canadian whisky comes from Crown Royal. We might never be able to confirm who manufactures the booze for sure, but the purple label sure makes it seem like Costco is inviting comparisons to the popular Canadian whiskey. One downside: the Kirkland bottle doesnt get you one of those velvet purple bags associated with Crown. But with the money you save by buying Kirkland you can color in a brown paper bag with purple marker, you creative DIYer, you!
The experts opinion: While Jensen says this this has a little more spice than in a Crown Royal, overall its thin, dry, and high pitched. He admits hes not a huge fan of Canadian whiskeys on the whole, but his guess is that its produced by Crown Royal. Overall, he notes that for a 6-year-old product, its probably a much better deal than anything else youre going to buy in a Canadian whiskey. He bets that if you enjoy mixing Canadian whiskey with Coke or 7Up, youll be quite happy with this bottle.
The Best And Worst Kirkland Liquors To Buy At Costco
If you’re on a budget or simply a smart shopper you know that buying generic products, like cereal and soda, get you pretty much the same food for less cash. Some people even become more loyal to house brands in the end. Anyone who grew up near an H-E-B definitely understands.
In addition to foodstuffs, more and more retailers are getting into the private-label liquor game. However none have caught the attention of consumers quite like the options at Costco. Their in-store label Kirkland Signature has already been declared as the “best store brand there ever was” by Bon Appétit, but it’s not just their organic produce and pantry staples that have people signing up for Costco memberships. Kirkland Signature liquors have become a “cult favorite” that bartenders love. Not only are they a great price, but many of them also rival their name-brand counterparts as far as quality goes.
Of course, not everything can be a winner sometimes the store really misses the mark and it’s better to just go with the name-brand. These picks for the best and worst Kirkland liquors can help you figure out which spirits to pick up the next time you’re at Costco and which ones to avoid. The following prices were accurate as of February 2019, but they’re always subject to changes over time and by location.
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Costco Kirkland Signature Aejo Tequila
- Importer: Misa Imports Inc. Dallas, TX
- Maker: Fabrica de Tequilas Finos, S.A. de C.V.
- Notes & Description: made from 100% blue agave. It is double-distilled and aged to perfection in American Oak barrels in the traditional, old-world methods. This Kirkland Signature spirit provides an exceptional taste taste with an ultra-smooth finish.
Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky
Price: $17.99
The internets opinion: Youve probably never heard of Alexander Murray & Company, but according to , as of 2016, Costco sells 100,000+ cases of its scotch per year. Alexander Murray works with about 12 distilleries in Scotland like Caol Ila, Tomintoul, Dalmore, Mortlach, Glenrothes, and Tullibardine to fill up private-label bottles at Costco, Trader Joes, and Total Wine. Which juice ends up in the Kirkland bottle? The rumor is that its Tullibardine. But! As The Scotch Noob points out, Alexander Murray has definitely bottled Macallan before, and is reported to have contracts with both Diageo and Edrington. Diageo owns brands like Johnnie Walker. Edrington produces Cutty Sark . Take your pick.
The experts opinion: Be aware that the smell of this scotch isnot ideal. Theres something funky in there, he says. That smells very strange. Based on his knowledge of the scotch market, he says its likely sourced from Diageo or Bacardi. This is reminiscent of a Dewars White Label, but it has a bit more color on it, notes Jensen. He notes that it could also be a blend from one of Johnnie Walkers distilleries, but he leans towards Dewars. Overall, he didnt mind the taste, and said if you can cover the scotch in a cocktail like a Penicillin, itll be finethough his overall recommendation is to spend a little more money on another brand.
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Kirkland Signature Cotes De Provence Rose
This is one of the fastest selling Kirkland wines year in and year out. If you see it, stock up right away. This is not one of those Costco surprises that makes a reappearance later. Once its gone, its gone for the year. And it is an amazing rose for the price our average score is 90 points and look for this one in April.
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Which Kirkland Beer Is The Best To Buy
As is the case with most Costco products, there’s a wide selection of Kirkland beers to choose from. Whether you prefer ale, IPA, lager, pilsner, porter, or stout, Costco just about has it all. Well, except for a light beer atrocity that was discontinued in 2018 due to some seriously negative reviews . Most of these beers average a rating of three stars on both Untappd and Beer Advocate. However, because there are so many variations in each category, it might be hard to tell which ones are actually the best.
However, if you shop at Costco on the West Coast, your best bet is definitely Kirkland’s German-style lagers and ales, because Gordon Biersch specializes in German beer. As for Costco on the East Coast, go for Kirkland’s pale ale and its similarly styled IPA. In 2020, Matt Brewing’s pale ale and IPA received gold medal recognition for being two of the best in the world . In the complicated world of beer opinions and ratings, that’s as good an indicator as any. As it turns out, Costco’s not a bad place at all to get a decent beer at an affordable price. You just may have to do some convincing at the next party when you bring Kirkland beer to the cooler.
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Worst: Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 24 Years
When it comes to liquor, the older the better… right? Well, not when it comes to this particular list. While the Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch may be one of the best liquor buys at Costco, its 24-year-old cousin doesn’t make the cut. At about $70 for 750 mL, the quality for the price just doesn’t hold up like Costco’s better options.
Overall, the aroma lacks depth and complexity. The first whiff of Kirkland Signature 24-Year Scotch Whisky is harsh with a “slight chemical, industrial, and metallic smell” that shouldn’t be so obvious with an aged whisky, according to The Whisky Shelf. This scotch whisky also has a thinner mouthfeel and is quite astringent upon first taste. The flavor is also “oak-heavy ,” according to another reviewer, which a lot of people like! However having one note like that overpower the more subtle flavors isn’t really indicative of the quality one expects from a $70 bottle of alcohol. And people who know scotch are typically okay with paying in the triple-digits for what they drink, anyways. In the end, getting the giant bottle of Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky is the much smarter buy for the Average Joe.
Best: Kirkland Signature Xo Cognac
What in the heckin’ heck does the “XO” in XO cognac even stand for? Well, as it turns out it means “extra old,” which kind of makes sense considering that Kirkland Signature XO Cognac is one of the pricier Costco liquors to make it to the list at a healthy average price of $50 for 750 mL, though that price may vary by location. However, compare that price tag to the minimum $130 for 750 mL you’ll pay for another bottle of XO. To be considered “XO,” the youngest cognac in the blend must be aged at least 10 years with the average age of all the individual liquors running 20 years or older. The result is a sweet and slightly spicy liquor that pairs well with cigars and is best served straight or, at most, with a couple of ice cubes.
It’s flavor is “very light, very floral” with just a hint of spice on the end and enough notes to tell you that you’re drinking a rich, complex cognac for the money. Kirkland Signature XO Cognac received a “Highly Recommended” rating from Tastings with an 89 point rating that is just shy of “Exceptional” status. If you want to make this bargain bottle feel fancier when you sip it, store it in a nice liquor decanter and no one will know the difference. Grab it when you see it though this one is often only available during the holidays.
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Worst: Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin
At around $25 for 1.75 L, the price is right for Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin. But like the other “worsts” on this list, it simply doesn’t stand out enough among its competition. After all, depending on where you buy it, you can get the same amount of New Amsterdam for a pretty similar price. So while Kirkland Signature gets points for its “satiny, crisp, dry light body” and “effortless, medium-length finish,” it’s not going to blow you away as far as value goes.
Furthermore, the Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin is a poor choice for certain cocktails. If you like to throw back a few gin and tonics with lime every now and then, you’re looking for something to mix into your Pimm’s cup, or you want to experiment with making negronis, it’s fine. However, a decent martini needs the right gin… and this ain’t it. You want something with more complexity and additional floral and citrus notes to balance out the juniper. Tanqueray, Boodles, and Hendrick’s are all great choices and at $20 to $35 a bottle, they aren’t going to set you back much more than the Costco stuff.
Is Kirkland Breakfast Blend Coffee Starbucks
Some of the coffee sold under the Kirkland name is actually made by Starbucks. The next time you pick up a 2 1/2 pound bag of Kirklands Signature House Blend Medium Roast, Espresso Blend Dark Roast, and Decaf House Blend Medium Roast, make sure that you check for the Custom Roasted by Starbucks stamp.
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Kirkland Signature Pauillac Bordeaux
Its a bummer that we havent seen a new vintage of this amazing wine appear in stores for more than two years. I hope its not gone for good. Please Costco, give us a surprise here. The Kirkland Pauillac Bordeaux is top notch for only $23 and it takes the cake at the top of our ratings with scores of 91 and 92. In the past it has appeared in stores in December-January.
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Best: Kirkland Signature Small Batch Bourbon By Barton 1792 Master Distillers
This recent addition to the Costco shelves is not to be confused with Kirkland’s longstanding and underwhelming 7-year small batch bourbon. While the bottle lacks an age statement, it’s one of the rare Kirkland liquor offerings that doesn’t require a scavenger hunt to figure out who actually makes the stuff. Printed right there on the label is the name of the producer, Barton 1792 Master Distillers, which happens to be one of the most revered distilleries in the bourbon biz.
Since we reported on the release in May, the reviews have begun to pour in and the consensus is buy, buy, buy this easy-drinking Kentucky nectar which clocks in at 45% alcohol by volume. According to Forbes, the whisky has a smooth taste “… with notes of cinnamon and clove, accompanied by caramel and vanilla notes.” For 20 bucks a liter, this is an absolute steal, especially if you’re looking to stock your bar with a solid, everyday sipper. “This is a great value bourbon,” notes a Reddit user. “Its amazing finish and even better price give it a dedicated place on my shelf.”
And for those of you who prefer a bourbon that is a tier or two higher on the shelf, keep your eyes peeled for two additional Kirkland collaborations with Barton that are sure to be a hit: a single barrel bottle and a bottled-in-bond version.
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How Do You Drink Hennessy Xo Cognac
The younger types of cognacs, VS and VSOP, can be used in a variety of different ways, including in cocktails. But the XO, or Extra Old, aged for a minimum of 10 years, should be drunk either neat or on ice. To open up the aroma of a cognac, you can add a bit of cold water if youre drinking it neat.
Best: Kirkland Signature Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey
If Frank Sinatra were alive today, the Jack Daniels fanatic would likely get a kick out of the Kirkland Signature Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey. While the branding isn’t explicit, it doesn’t take much detective work to figure out who is behind this one. Not only did Costco release a behind-the-scenes video documenting the making of the whiskey, directly on the bottle you’ll find the signature of Mike Williams. A quick Google search indicates that Mr. Williams, is in fact, the owner of celebrated Tennessee whiskey producer Collier and McKeel where he doubles as chief distiller. The company’s Tennessee Whiskey earned a 92 point rating from Wine Enthusiast and was named one of the magazine’s top 100 spirits of 2016. While this particular bottling may not contain the exact same juice as the Collier and McKeel offering , whiskey lovers are equally enthusiastic.
Over on Reddit, there are plenty of comparisons to Jack Daniels. One Redditor who prefers the Kirkland Tennessee whiskey notes, “It tasted sweeter and more mellow than jack.” Another reported, “It is a bit like a Jack knockoff, but it has a little of its own flavor too. I really love it.”
Prices for the Kirkland Tennessee whiskey have been reported anywhere from $18.99 to $36.99 but if you can pick it up for less than the price of a handle of good old reliable JD, it’s definitely worth it.
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Why Doesnt Costco Make Its Own Kirkland Signature Products
Costco doesnt make the items sold under its signature brand, Kirkland. This is because its not cost effective for them to do so.
Costco has Kirkland Signature items in numerous consumer products categories. If this wholesale giant were to manufacture them all, the products would have to have higher price tags to offset the cost of maintaining manufacturing facilities.
COSTCOS KIRKLAND XO Cognac Review > > Check out the video below:
Kirkland Signature Original Spiced Rum
Price: $14.99
The internets opinion: It doesnt take much sleuthing to figure out which distillery is behind a booze when all you have to do is look at the label. This particular one states that the rum is distilled on the island of St. Croix, which narrows it down to two distillers: Cruzan or Captain Morgan. And yet, the booze rating site Proof66 says the spirits producer LeVecke Corp. makes the rum. The answer is probably that both Cruzan and LeVecke are involved in producing the rum. We agree with the reviewer at Best Tasting Spirits, who says that the rum is shipped to California where LeVecke Corporation adds natural flavors and caramel color before bottling at 92 proof in a 1.75-liter bottle.
The experts opinion: Its a little buttery on the nose, Jensen says. Id assume this comes from Cruzanit smells like Cruzan, too. He says that the rums artificial vanilla extract flavors read a bit too medicinal for his tastes. But since spiced rum drinkers often cover up the booze with Coke anyways, this bottle is a steal at a mere $14.99.
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