Kirkland 23 Year Speyside Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish

Smell: Intense dark berries, orange peel, crystallized ginger, dried cherries/cranberries/blueberries Taste: Dark cherries/blueberries, crystallized ginger "spice", a base of dark apple juice, dark chocolate, dark cherry juice Aftertaste: A lingering light tingle, subtly tart yet still sweet cherry juice, a light dark chocolate cherry cordial Score - 86/100 Final Thoughts - While the tasting notes might suggest this is an absolutely outstanding dram, and it is quite good, the flavors arrive in stages rather than forming a unified experience. It's very enjoyable overall, with a great aroma, a pleasant taste, and a mediocre, somewhat brief aftertaste. This is a good spirit, but for some reason, it feels like something is missing to tie it all together. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Perhaps Would I buy a bottle? - Perhaps NOTE - All evaluations are made without considering price.

Opening this on March 1, 2021, and reviewing it on April 1, 2021. The level is just below the shoulder, at the top of the Kirkland Label. I'm completely let down by this early assessment after only 4 weeks open and below the shoulder fill. This has less brilliance than a cheap Loch Lomond 12 swill. It appears this is bottled for Costco by Alexander Murray and company. Given the extremely low quality of this spirit, I'll never buy from this independent bottler again. This subpar product damages their reputation and pushes serious Scotch enthusiasts toward Signatory Vintage selections. It has the alcohol burn of a much younger, cheaper whisky. Is it truly 23 years old? It's hard to imagine. I question the amount of food coloring present. Despite all the high ratings, I anticipated something delicious, but my bottle, at least, is awful!

Nose: abundant fruit, dark ripe orchard fruits, dark cherry, a hint of orange citrus, sherry, cinnamon, allspice, baking spices, a malty almost molasses quality, almond or amaretto, some slightly musty cereal notes, dusty leather notes, tobacco, old oak, light ash char, deep and rich. Taste: incorporates most of the flavors mentioned above, a pleasant medium peppery note, brown sugar, dark fruits with that orange citrus note, a nice oily coating on the palate, finishes well to a light ashy smoke. Another solid older Speyside in the Kirkland selection. Yes, you could certainly find another well-known brand that might "taste much better" than this. But considering the cost, this is quite good.

Opened 3/2/2021 Reviewed 4/26/2021 (after numerous tastings) Very inexpensive. The purchaser at the warehouse store was clearly swindled by the supplier and demonstrated no knowledge of quality Scotch. The palate is very thin. Resembles Sherry water more than Sherry Scotch. Thin texture, and an unmemorable finish. A waste of money! I have 75% of a bottle available for purchase if anyone is interested.

Aroma: Sherry, slightly musty, cherry and sandalwood Taste: Dark cherry, chocolate, spicy, tobacco and oak Aftertaste: Coats the mouth, spicy with a tobacco finish Tasted this blind. This is a quality dram, but its character doesn't quite match its age. One would expect more from a 23-year-old Scotch, but it offers great value for the price.

Relatively smooth but surprisingly one-dimensional for a 23-year-old whiskey. Beautiful dark chestnut color and a strong sherry influence. Not bad for the price if this is the flavor profile you seek, but many younger age statements offer more complexity.