I realized today that since I got a Costco membership that I’ve become one of those people that buys a lot of stuff at Costco. I mean it is hard not to. You go in there, you grab one of the giant, multi-level carts, and you toss giant quantities of items in there. As a person who smokes meat, I particularly like their meat selection. But I usually also have to check out their liquor selection too. In many states, it is inside the main store, but Minnesota forces retailers to have a separate area with a separate entrance for their liquor store.
You might ask why that is. Well there is an easy answer. Culturally, Minnesotans do not like liquor. It was our Congress-critter one Andrew Volstead that introduced the National Prohibition Act that kicked off Prohibition. And until recently any place that sold beer that was higher than 3.2% alcohol had to be closed on Sunday. Hence the separate entrances. Now don’t get me wrong, much like our cousins to the east in Wisconsin, Minnesotans drink a lot. But culturally we feel bad about it and judge those who seem to cross the lines of what we consider to be overindulging.
But we were talking about Costco, not the historical cultural hangups of my adopted home state.
Even though I find it near impossible to walk out of Costco without having spent a couple of hundred dollars, if you plan things right it does save you a bit of money. Especially on items to stock your pantry, meat, and liquor. Most especially on their Kirkland branded liquor, like tonight’s Bottled-in-Bond bourbon. $25 per liter. It’s hard to beat that. At least if it tastes good. But having had a couple other Kirkland Bourbons by Barton 1792, I’m going to tell you up front that this one is just as good as the other two. Maybe better.
Kirkland Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon by Barton 1792 Master Distillers
Purchase Info: Roughly $25 per liter. I tossed the receipt so I don’t know exactly how many pennies below $25 they went on this.
Price per drink (50 mL): $1.25
Details: 50% ABV. Distilled at D.S.P.-KY-12.
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, almond, and oak.
Mouth: Honey, caramel, vanilla, almond, cinnamon red hots, and oak.
Finish: Medium length and warm. Notes of oak and cinnamon red hots.
Thoughts: This is a killer "everyday" bourbon. Good sweetness and spice. The honey note is delicious. There is just enough oak to keep me happy. I liked this enough that I went back the next day and bought four more bottles. I'm glad I did. The shelf was full when I bought my first bottle and there were six bottles left when I went back the next day. I was nice enough to leave two for the next person.
After having three different of these Barton/Kirkland collaborations, I think I've learned my lesson. It's Costco... buy in bulk the first time. It’s looking like a recession out there, kids. Let’s save ourselves some money by buying good quality, inexpensive products.
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