Kirkland French Vodka

Rating: 14/23 I remember being quite impressed with this initially when I didn't have many other vodkas to compare it against. We'll see how it fares side-by-side with some genuinely good vodkas. Aromas: Unlike many vodkas, this actually has a scent. I detect a hint of lightly toasted grain along with mild pepper and lemon zest. That's about it. Palate: This is pretty good. I get a subtle floral note that hints at vanilla before transitioning into a blend of grain, herbal, and vegetal notes that eventually incorporate some pepper before giving way to a cleaner water taste with a slight hint of lemon. This palate is quite smooth. There is, however, something slightly oily and bitter present that I'm not fond of. It doesn't taste like rubber or chemicals, though. Finish: The pepper and clean water notes persist. A very mild herbal and vegetal element with the faintest hint of lemon lingers as well. It's a good, clean finish. I like this well enough, but not as much as some other options I have, such as Chopin Wheat and Ocean. While none of these are expensive, this costs half as much as the alternatives, so that's a significant advantage. The odd thing is that although I now own several bottles of vodka, I'm not really familiar with cocktails that use it, so they tend to sit on my shelf for extended periods. I mean, I know about common mixed drinks and vodka martinis, but I don't understand their appeal. Since I can't think of many other uses for my vodka and it's inexpensive, it's crucial that it be good on its own. I'd say it's acceptable in that regard. It tastes fine and is quite smooth. However, it's decidedly lower quality overall compared to Chopin and Ocean. The smoothness is superior to that of Beluga Noble, but the flavor is not as good, so it's a mixed comparison. Ultimately, I'm okay with this, but I likely won't purchase another bottle. Between the two, I slightly prefer Beluga Noble despite its harshness. That's a high 14, so I believe this is a 13 to 14. I'm settling on a low 14, but a 14 nonetheless.

While I'm not inclined to develop an obsession with vodka, my recent enjoyment of Cajun martinis has me considering it more. At Costco, I was compelled to try this expression, rumored to be comparable to Grey Goose at half the cost. I can't confirm that, as I don't consume much vodka, but I can compare it to the Sobieski, Luksusowa, and Smirnoff Blue I've recently evaluated here. Tasted in the aforementioned Cajun Martini, a 4:1 Vodka Martini, a Reverse Martini, and neat. On the nose, it's slightly sweet and otherwise very neutral. The palate maintains the sweetness from the aroma and adds a rich, 'bready' quality that reminds me of the center of typical white sandwich bread. It's subtle but contributes a 'comfort food' essence to the experience. Notably, the mouthfeel is silky and rich. It's pleasantly creamy with very little pepper or heat, presenting a clean and swift, subdued finish. Overall, this is my preferred vodka among the four I've assessed lately. It demonstrates the best balance by a significant margin and is the most intriguing on its own. It at least matches the Sobieski in the jalapeno cocktail, where the rye vodka's spicy nature complements the pepper's vegetal notes. The Kirkland performs better in the other preparations I've tested. Offered at a good price, it represents good value and is certainly recommended as a quality house vodka. At $21 for a 1.75-liter bottle, it's an easy acquisition. One additional point – the bottle is excessively large and heavy. Its height could pose storage challenges, much like finding space for Luxardo Maraschino liqueur wasn't already a hassle. I evaluate on a straightforward scale that follows a bell curve. A score of 1 on this scale indicates well below average; most mass-market products will fall around 2.5. Kirkland French Vodka is slightly above this average.

Nose - gentle grain, dry herbal notes, subtle vanilla, black pepper, mild ethanol burn. Taste - soft sweet grain, lemon and grapefruit zest, vanilla, powdered sugar, floral tea, black pepper, mild to moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium short with dry grain, sour citrus, and vanilla, and pepper flavors. I'm aware that this is often stated to be rebranded Grey Goose. While some similarities exist, I don't believe they are identical. I actually favor this one slightly more. The aroma is neutral and unremarkable, featuring the soft grain from the wheat, a bit of herbs and spices, and just a hint of vanilla. On the palate, it becomes more engaging than Grey Goose. The initial taste offers pleasant citrus zest, more vanilla, and some tea-like qualities. While the Grey Goose presentation felt rather muddled, this performs better, though not quite at the level of Ketel One. In summary, this is a solid vodka, but not exceptional. Its major appeal is the cost, for those fortunate enough to reside in regions where Costco sells alcohol. It's comparable to others in its category, with Jim Beam Original currently holding the top spot, at least for now. My thanks to the individual who provided the sample and encouraged this vodka-sipping endeavor.

16: The nose has a hint of vanilla and perhaps the faintest whiff of malt. It's a really pleasant aroma for a vodka. The vanilla is quite rich with considerable sweetness. Yes, the malt is definitely there. The flavor is nice and clean with significant spice. It's not exceptionally rich, but it does have some character. The spiciness is quite sharp. There's pleasant vanilla instead of rubbing alcohol notes. There's a touch of melon fruitiness. Mild earthiness is present too. The palate offers solid complexity for a vodka and still manages to avoid most of that rubbing alcohol taste. Yes, that natural earthiness really stands out. There's some graininess that must be rye, but it also reminds me a bit of potato. It's really good, even for sipping. I'm currently considering it a 16. There's a lot of white pepper spice and maybe some black pepper too. This is actually a fairly mellow vodka, but it's still quite complex and tasty. Definitely not a 17, but it could be a 15.

Spirits sold at a warehouse store are actually good, or at least better than some pricier brands, and this Vodka is no exception. It's not the top-tier vodka, but the value for money makes it a fantastic buy. It's definitely not in the same category as a premium brand, but that brand isn't the best vodka available either.

I truly enjoy this. It’s smooth whether mixed or served on the rocks. I sometimes have it neat if I'm feeling adventurous. At $20 for 1.75L, it's an incredible bargain! My only issue is the bottle's height; I had to remove a shelf in my liquor cabinet to make it fit.