Kirkland Single Barrel Reserve Kentucky Bourbon by Barton 1792

Nose: Old paper, dulce de leche, nectar, wood Palate: Scorched oak, smooth vanilla, and ripe cherry Finish: Moderate, a pleasant warming spice note that stays Those familiar with Costco are aware of its in-house label, Kirkland Signature. In the past, store labels were considered inferior, but nowadays, Costco enthusiasts enthusiastically sport Kirkland apparel, like hoodies and sandals. Regarding Kirkland's liquor selection, speculation persists about the origin of its well-liked French vodka. Nevertheless, its recent Bourbon range clearly indicates Barton 1792 on the packaging. I commend Kirkland for being so open about its supplier. This drink is a fantastic all-purpose beverage: a nice texture on the tongue, traditional bourbon characteristics, and a satisfying end. A companion visited with 1792 Full Proof, and I brought out this bottle, and we did a direct comparison. The resemblance between the two drinks was remarkable! For around $30 for a whole liter, this offering provides exceptional worth in the whiskey market.

This bourbon was sampled without knowing the brand, among 149 other spirits tasted throughout a year, and it earned the top rating. It outperformed others such as Stagg Jr (B15), Garrison Balmorhea, Booker's Pigskin, Angel's Envy Cask Strength, Remus Repeal, Doc Swinson's 15yr, and numerous other superior and pricier bourbons. The sole minor drawback is the aroma, which is somewhat lacking in complexity. Aside from that, it's essentially the ideal bourbon in my view. Incredible richness with notes of traditional bourbon tastes like caramel, vanilla, cherry, oak spice, fine dark chocolate, and a wonderfully rich, smooth finish that lingers on the tongue and lasts an eternity. It goes down deceptively smoothly for being 120 proof. Absolutely. Fantastic.

Kirkland Barton single barrel reserve 120 proof (Ksb) versus 1792 Full Proof 125 proof. The first thing you notice is the Ksb is a slightly darker shade. Nose: They both have a rich vanilla citrus nose. The Ksb has a very slight astringent smell. Taste: Both are pretty similar in flavor as well. Rich vanilla, pears, tangy, a little baking spice. I would say the 1792 is a touch smoother (even with the higher proof) and the Ksb is a little hotter and slightly more bitter. These are both great bourbons and obviously from the same distiller. 1792 FP is overall better but also costs $10 to $20 more than the Ksb. 1792 FP 4.3/5 and Ksb 4.25/5. Close because of taste versus value.

I compared the Kirkland Barton BiB against the Kirkland Barton SiB (120 proof) head-to-head. The SiB is noticeably darker, with a more reddish hue. BiB Nose: Astringent, with notes of citrus and caramel. Taste: Tangy, sweet, light pineapple, citrus, and a bit of cereal. The finish is medium and slightly spicy, leaving a mild numbing sensation. For under $25 a liter, this is impressive. Score: 3.75 SiB Nose: Richer and smoother, also with a citrus and caramel profile. Taste: This one significantly outperforms the BiB. It's nearly twice as good. Smooth caramel, citrus, cherry, rich and deep. And it's only $5 more ($29)?! Score: 4.25, though I'm tempted to rate it higher considering the value.

Mar 2025. Clear medium dark golden amber. Smells woody, sweet, nutty, oily, of oak barrel, caramel, cereal, sweet spice, clove, cinnamon and vanilla. Dry, full body with woody, oaky, sweet spice, clove, nutmeg, leather, burnt plastic, rubber, sweetened apple, honey, sweetened berry and oaky vanilla on the palate. A good balance with a medium long woody spicy finish. 60% ABV, full body. 5 years old in new oak.

Pleasant aroma, not harsh for a 120 proof. I detect a nice sweet tobacco note, with some caramel as well. A whiff of peanut. The taste is a little hot and doesn't quite match the nose. It's not bad tasting, but it's a disappointment compared to the aroma. The finish is medium to long with a nice warming sensation. It's spicy and peppery. Definitely better than the Bottled-in-Bond version. For $30 for a 1L bottle, the value is hard to beat.