Kirkland XO Cognac

This is the house brand from the warehouse store. It was served neat in a glencairn from a newly opened bottle. I did a side-by-side comparison with Remy Martin 1738. If the Kirkland doesn't outperform the RM, then there's no justification for buying it. Surprisingly, the Remy has a darker hue, almost like dark raw honey. The Kirkland's aroma is more complex, though, featuring sweet marzipan and a hint of old leather, but nothing more specific. While tasting, I first detected a faint hint of menthol, which reminded me of Vicks Vapo-Rub. Honestly, it's not terrible, but it's certainly unexpected. It's not the only note, but it's the initial impression. There's a sweet wine characteristic, grapes, and barrel wood. The Vicks sensation diminishes as the spirit oxidizes, but it's still present after about 15 minutes. My initial feeling is that the RM 1738 is considerably superior, being creamier, richer, and possessing more flavor depth. In contrast, the Kirkland is thin and offers faint traces of menthol, barrel wood, and other "stuff." It does improve with some aeration. I'll try it again after the bottle has had some time to settle. I suspect it will be best suited for mixing, as it really didn't meet my expectations. I was informed by someone whose judgment I will no longer trust that the Kirkland XO was a "great" cognac for the price and comparable to Hennessy XO. Uh, no. It is not. At this moment, I'm not impressed. Considering the cost, it's an easy pass. The Kirkland isn't bad, but it's not (NOT) better than the Remy Martin 1738, and nowhere near Hennessy. I suppose you get what you pay for.

I acknowledge that individual palates differ. I'm not an expert, merely someone who enjoys a drink after a long day. Based on reviews from others, I tried this particular spirit to understand its profile better. Cognacs and Brandies are meant for savoring, not for quick shots. To fully appreciate their complex character and enjoy their soothing, warming effects, sipping is key. The first taste was smooth, but it quickly vanished, leaving a dry, choking sensation as it moved upwards. Unlike other cognacs and brandies I've sampled, this one didn't settle smoothly in my throat. It's not a drink I would choose for myself and will remain in my collection. My preferred cognacs include Hennessy Privilege and Martell Blue Swift, and for brandy, Carlos 1 Gran Reserva and Fundador.

I wanted to sample a cognac since I was told it complements cigars, but I also heard it's not worthwhile unless you spend over $250 CAD. However, this Kirkland XO was an exception I heard about. It certainly has some warmth, yet it's smooth, viscous, and sweet. You can clearly detect the dried fruit, oak, and chocolate noted on the label. For $75 CAD for an XO, it represents incredible value. I'd absolutely keep this on hand regularly.

An excellent price for a superb cognac. I highly recommend it. It's rich, fruity, and incredibly smooth, like velvet coated in melted butter. It seems to have a touch of added sugar, often called 'dosage,' which likely enhances its softness. The bottle is gorgeous, and the price is even better.

A subtle sweetness and a port-like finish characterized this. It was a respectable Cognac, though perhaps not quite living up to the XO designation. I'd likely purchase it again.

For $45, it seems like a reasonable option. You could get a bottle of Remi or Hennessy VSOP for around $35 and save some money.