The Truth About Kirkland Signature Whiskeys

[@MashedFood]

We goofed! We mixed up "percent" and "proof." We try to get everything right, but sometimes a few things slip through the cracks. Thanks for keeping us on our toes!

[@brianmacias7010]

You also pronounced a region incorrectly, and Macallan incorrectly.

[@KrazyMitchAdventures]

Its allowed, you're only human..

[@jcat5150]

I just came here to trash talk that and mention that I'd tried some 120 percent bourbon and found it to drink too hot and lacking in flavor! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Tetsomina]

Don’t forget the spyside 😂

[@frankensplean]

@@KrazyMitchAdventures no. they're robots.

[@archipelago93]

5:21 Wow. I’ve never heard of a spirit that is actually 120% alcohol by volume. Didn’t think that was mathematically possible, but Kirkland = working some magic over here 🤣

[@alexadams1360]

120 proof = 60% alcohol

[@user-df2uu4tq6d]

Ole dummy

[@CT393]

@@alexadams1360 yeah but they said 120% abv, not 120 proof.

[@michaelw69]

Their partnership with Barton was a one-off. If you see those, buy them. They are amazing and there won't be any more. Also, bourbon also has to be 51% corn. They do not mention that in the video.

[@psimitry]

I bought three bottles of the small batch last year, and when the BIB came to my club, I bought three of that. I went yesterday, and they had the small batch again, so I bought two more bottles (and honestly I am tempted to go back today and get three more).

[@michaelw69]

@@psimitry That's funny. I went Saturday and they had just pulled out a pallet of small batch. I got the first two bottles and I am considering going back today for two more.

[@manunava1776]

12-02-2023 picked up two more bottles of the Green Label Barton. Did not see any of the Tan Label ones in my Central Valley store this year, but I did see them in Sept. in a Bay Area store...... Still looking for the Black Label which a co-worker picked up last month at the Livermore store.......

[@slosubies4845]

There's probably a NDA with their suppliers, since Costco is severely under-cutting the price of their suppliers' similar labels.

[@montanapokerplayer2842]

I have bought and drank a bunch of the Canadian Whiskey and blind taste tested against Crown....hard to tell the difference and Kirkland and Crown and Kirkland is like 1/3 the cost. Kirkland rocks!

[@winkprince1875]

I agree. We switched from Crown to Kirkland three years ago and never looked back.

[@_pollo]

When you have to turn 1 page of content into a 10 page essay… “Are there questions about this concept? Yes. We asked an obscure source and the answer is still unknown.”

[@parasharkchari]

A video titled "The truth about..." that is essentially just a long collection of "nobody knows." This, friends, is how you game the algorithm.

[@zzzbetty2915]

Wow percent and proof are not interchangeable. There can't be some thing 120% alcohol. Everclear is as high a percentage of Alcohol that I am aware of. The wild statements and the mispronunciations made me cringe all the way through. Mashed needs to redo this video and get the video to line up with the narration and the narration improved as well as checked for accuracy. Normally I like Mashed but in this case they need to get a Whiskey person to help

[@CRuf-qw4yv]

It can be 120 proof that is 60% ABV. Technically, ethanol cannot be distiiled to more than 95% ABV as at the temp. required will form an azeotrope with the water......Unless a molecular sieve is employed to remove the final 5% water...after the distillation.

[@J_D_B4379]

I learned absolutely nothing from this video. I actually think I'm dumber for watching it

[@kennedydewitt3219]

I agree, I get more out of reading the comments

[@Trapper4265]

At least it reminded me that I can buy liquor at Costco and Sam's without having a membership. 😁

[@JARRAEDIEZ]

You should have learned about white labeling/sourcing spirits from different companies, you don’t have to create your own from scratch. Just find a white label company

[@Rscheesey]

This video was made with about 3 minutes of googling

[@philshallat9043]

That’s a humorous comment.

[@Al-pv8gb]

"it stacks up against labels such as crown royal" tell me you know nothing about liquor without telling me you know nothing about liquor

[@Reverend_Taco]

that's when I tuned out too

[@GaviLazan]

MAKA-len... SPY-side... good lord.

[@sav7568]

The only Islay distillery big enough to supply Costco would be Caol Ila.

[@JT-xg4di]

I have a bottle of their "Islay single malt scotch whisky" and I am 100% certain that it is Lagavulin, just with less years in the barrel than the usual releases.

[@fturla]

Most retailers that don't specifically specialize in selling liquor markup the prices much higher as their standard profit margin, then they occasionally sell the same items at a discount at prices that are equal to the prices at a liquor store. If a retailer gets inventory that it wants to sell off, then it will have a fire sale to get rid of the stagnant stock on hand. Depending on who is adjusting the prices, in most cases, it's not worth buying from those stores because the pricing remains near regular prices even when they are on sale. The disparity of prices at stores from the same brand retailer such as a Kroger or Walmart makes purchasing items based on value difficult. Most liquor stores attempt to sell their most common stock at a discount compared to non-liquor store retailers, while the alcohol based businesses tend to overprice the allotments of products they get notice that will sell well. If you notice, highly praised liquor products can sky rocket in price if there is significant good reviews for the item.

[@franklampard6316]

How can you take this seriously when they pronounce Macallan as Maka-lan 😀

[@willywong9852]

And also Speyside as "Spyside" 🤦‍♂

[@jong2359]

Bot produced content used in the same way that a parent jangles their keys for a baby.

[@jaketherattlesnake4377]

Also collier🤦🏻‍♂️

[@stubbsz]

@@willywong9852 She got it right later on in the video. But it was jarring.

[@GaviLazan]

@@willywong9852 What's ridiculous is that later on it's pronounced correctly.

[@nigeldepledge3790]

"Spy-side"?! WTF? Clearly, whoever was present during the V/O recording had never been anywhere near the River Spey. Did you seriously not have access to anyone who cared to not insult Scotland's most prolific whisky-distilling region?

[@KatotownUSA]

Did they really say MACK-A-LIN? 😂

[@georgehaberberger1342]

Yeah I had to rerun that. It's: ma CAL in.

[@myksmith]

And a cringeworthy pronunciation of "speyside"

[@robertstrickland2121]

120% abc, have to get some of that😊

[@bfair6284]

Whoever wrote the script doesn't know anything. Probably never drank whiskey before. Proof mixed up with ABV. 😂😂😂

[@Dadsplain]

In 2013, I observed the Kirkland Brand bottle in the quality control cage at Jim Beam just feet from the 1.75 L production line. Explained why I wasn’t impressed by it. However, I’m fairly sure they’ve changed the sourcing over the years.

[@lukea.907]

The editor was on vacation for this one.

[@mark351]

Here in Pennsylvania ALL bottle liquor sales are through state owned stores. While the state stores operation and selection has gotten better over the years it will be a long time before they are privatized and our COSTCO's can add a liquor section. I'd have to go to Delaware to enjoy these.

[@genesisqui6719]

im seeing Kirkland's whiskey in the supermarket and pass for the Chivas, it's on sale for 3 months now and much cheaper than BL. They did mention Diageo distilery (the world's 2nd largest) it was also my guess as the source of their liquors.

[@NickDrinksWater]

I've tried members mark whiskey, and i can say its pretty much the same as any other mid level whiskey.

[@lbaker3602001]

I use to go through a bottle of Fireball/Jaegermeister (1.75 Ltr. bottle) from Costco in a months time up until they stoped selling it.

[@johnlong384]

Jägermeister should not be used as a drink and is supposed to be taken in small amounts to settle the stomach after a heavy meal, which was the idea to produce it in Germany

[@williammobley9634]

Kirkland brand whiskey is no different than buying your generic brand anything at any other grocery store. It's the same as the name brand, but cheaper because Costco buys it all in bulk to bring down the price.

[@demendez]

4:25 I can tell you 100% sure, Kirkland 20 years old Speyside is made by Tullibardine whisky distillery and bottled by Alexander Murray & Co. How do I know??, says on the label on the side (in Taiwan they must say the producer of the whisky, so have a white Chinese sticker by side that show the distillery info).

[@morningstarx5340]

Wild turkey 101 is $20 for a 750 and is one of my favorite bourbons to sip on neat.

[@waltszymborski4078]

Not in MI...Over $30

[@JoshChristiane]

Yeah a classic for sure. What's even better (IMHO) is the Bottled in Bond white label Evan Williams. It's a steal here in Texas for $12 where I live. Just as good as WT101, and almost the same proof.

[@ironpig701]

Have a bottle of the Scotch, Irish and Tennesse whiskey in my cabinet. Im not a conasour of whiskey by anymeans but these are good. And I like it with cola so it just works.

[@rogeredwards3563]

If I'm sipping whiskey, rye, scotch etc. straight, I prefer a known brand (like a good MacAllan, Whistlepig, Chivas Regal, Glenfiddich, etc.). If I'm making a mixer, the Kirkland stuff is totally fine. I can't tell you how many bottles of their Canadian whiskey I've been through over the course of a summer...mixed in a Diet Coke. Decent stuff for the price. Your mileage may vary.

[@DecidedlyIndecisive09]

So you're saying you don't really like whisky?

[@grantarmbruster6591]

@@DecidedlyIndecisive09 yes but he likes scotch

[@grantarmbruster6591]

I thought that also but did a blind taste test between two equally priced Macallan and spyside Kirkland brand single malts. I was surprised that I liked the Kirkland as much or a wee bit more .

[@kennedydewitt3219]

I find the Costco Whiskey is quite good for the price, the Bourbon on the other hand I would never have it again

[@jamesw1659]

Interesting that you would say this...I hold the exact same view. Most of their Kirkland-branded spirits are quite good, but I didn't like the bourbon at all, either...and I'm not a whiskey snob. Just not to my taste.

[@TheMarcopix]

@@jamesw1659 I've heard this from many different posters on the web. I tried some bourbon from them...several years ago so probably a different source...and didn't care for it.

[@JoshChristiane]

Same here. Love their scotches and vodka and everything else I've tried, but their bourbon left me disappointed last time.

[@carguybd]

1981 and I’m a wise cultured 16 year old whiskey drinker. Along with my two buddies we sit at the theater, each with a quart of Jack Daniels, taking alternate chugs of the JD and Coke. Probably 45 minutes into the movie I need to hit the biff. One problem, my legs steadfastly refused to move. Zilch. It’s as if the neurons had been severed. The only thing that tasted worse than the JD going down was it coming right back up in the lobby. To this day I am a bit of a bourbon and whiskey aficionado, however if I even get a trace whiff of JD, I am getting an immediate gag reflex.

[@johnlong384]

I hear you and liked to call JD "Monkey Pie" when I had a taste many years ago!

[@TheBittner1]

I had a similar experience in my early 20s with Patrón Silver. 20something years later, I still can't even catch a whiff of Patrón (or cheaper tequila, for that matter) without my insides immediately wanting to join the outsides!

[@paulwilliams200]

IMHO, Kirkland Canadian Whisky is superior to Crown Royal (and others with which I am familiar). Note: I AM Canadian and that IS how we spell Whisky. EDIT: It is a shame I can only buy it at Costco US - it is not available at Costco Canada.

[@heavilypeted]

You can get it in Alberta

[@iambobwhoru]

Whats wrong with whisky? It's all whisky unless it's Irish. Then it's whiskey

[@americanidle76]

There are nine distilleries on Islay. Hardly “a ton”.

[@edmundgonzalez8731]

While I've heard good things about Costco liquor, I have only tired a couple. Their Baileys clone is pretty good for the price. However, as to the tequila shown at 8:12, turpentine comes to mind...

[@tomz6594]

When it comes to scotch we know some distillers don't sell barrels to independent bottlers. That also narrows it down.

[@Adam13Chalmers]

The average consumer is very influenced by the bottle and label design. OF COURSE people think Kirkland's Canadian Whiskey tastes like Crown Royal. It has a purple label, gold trim and lettering, with a script font almost identical to Crown. Same principle for the Jack Tennessee whiskey comparison.

[@Alex-zi1nb]

All basic Canadian whiskey has the same flavor pallet anyways

[@sidneyvandykeii3169]

Costco makes Quality store brand products. Rarely will a Kirkland brand product be garbage and are always better that other equally priced products. If not, then they disappear.

[@raymondmuench3266]

This was entertaining. Sadly, not an option in VA with our state stores.

[@maross1026]

"...keen on giving away barrels of alcohol for want of space and to maintain strict standards...", i.e. did not pass Quality Control but is still drinkable and better than disposing.

[@KrazyMitchAdventures]

Its a shame that we STILL CANNOT buy Costco Alcohol in parts of Canada, or in a Costco Store.. We have dedicated Liquor Stores in Canada.. for the most part, you cannot buy alcohol in a grocery store, or a gas station/convenience store.

[@aroni3s440]

Move to Quebec! We sell alcohol everywhere. We are even trying to get it into our school cafeterias!

[@thehammer4625]

Hold my beer, come to Pennsylvania.

[@bobmarley2140]

What kind of idiot comes up with this stuff

[@kazuyukiyamauchi7555]

In Taiwan labels are required to have the manufacturer. The Kirkland Islay I got recently was in fact from Tullibardine, which puzzled me LOL I guess the scotch source being Tullibardine is correct. But not necessarily distilled and aged in Tullibardine...

[@lennymcmillion]

Their Canadian whiskey and tequila give me the WORST headaches the next morning.

[@SteveBoobJobs]

Damn. I never thought I’d hear anyone mis-pronounce Macallan

[@enginebae3471]

Here in Oklahoma we can’t even buy it from Costco. You have to go to a state run liquor store. Kind of upsets me cuz my brother raves about the stuff 😂

[@alistairharris7891]

You can’t have more than 100% ABV. Kinda in the term, alcohol by volume. It’s like saying this glass of water is 120% water. 😂😂😂

[@Matatabi6]

So according to mashed 9 is a ton??? Cause that’s the number of Islay whiskey distilleries it’s a lot less than 50 so that’s weird

[@BFSilenceDogood]

Bourbon also needs to be distilled with at least 51% corn

[@maross1026]

How could a channel called MASHED, miss that.

[@stenmin1234]

@@maross1026 Legit the most underrated comment.

[@rogereriksen2472]

Well, if the stated definition of bourbon in this video is wrong, what else is incorrect? Sears used to sell Kenmore brand appliances. The line was made by other "big" name makers, but to specifications provided by Sears to keep the cost down. I would suspect the same is happening with Costco.

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

For marketing, Kirkland should change that ‘KIRKLAND’ label to different styles for different products. Leave the word on - it is there brand - but give it a little flourish on wine and whiskey labels.

[@canlite]

1792 is when the whiskey rebellion started.

[@ZepG]

Unfortunately I live in Pennsylvania and high proof alcohol can only be sold in state stores run by the government. My local Costco's sell no alcohol whatsoever even though Pa started letting grocery and convenience stores sell beer and wine a few years ago.

[@MrPloppy1]

I'm in NC and feel your pain. Same problem here. They just started allowing grocery store beer and wine sales at 10am instead of after noon on Sundays here, but state liquor stores are completely closed all day on Sundays. :(

[@ZepG]

@@MrPloppy1 Our State Stores used to be closed on Sundays, now a select few of them actually are open on Sunday but we can buy beer and wine everywhere else all day Sunday.

[@McCov1]

Costco's money maker is the $4.99 Rotisserie chicken. 😉

[@JoshChristiane]

I've heard they lose money on those chickens, not sure if it's true but insiders claim they also lose money on the hot dogs and soda deal. They lure you in with well-priced chicken and always put it at the very back of the store so you have to pass lots of eye-candy before you get there. I'm a sucker for the cheese department, need my Parmaggiano and Jarlsberg.

[@Xander-dx6mw]

5:05 way to butcher MacAllan distillery's name.

[@wheelch0ck]

It's not "maca-lynn." 🤣 It's "mac-allan." Like MacAllan.

[@stenmin1234]

They make it sound like there are uncountable distilleries in Islay. There are 9 active distilleries there...

[@jrtstrategicapital560]

Thanks..love the review!

[@eromero8190]

This is more like a commercial not a comparison

[@the.grizzly.shaman]

120% abv…I’m dying 😂😂😂

[@GaryBlankenship96b40]

12 year blended scotch is best out there for 35.00 my everyday drink

[@IMAComedy]

Hey, could someone please point me to some good "spy side" whiskeys? Never heard of that region.

[@halnogaies1256]

Is there a kirkland Makers or Knob?

[@xiamengbaby]

Tried the Tennessee bourbon and thought it tasted young and harsh. Costco has Knob Creek 9 year old small batch for a better deal as a 1.75 liter and it's so much better. Tried the Canadian whiskey and disagree that it tastes like Crown. The costco Canadian has a funky artificial caramel taste. Had the 12 year blended whiskey, and given that Dewars 12 year is so close in price and better, I wouldn't get the Costco version again. The Costco vodka is fine as a mixer for those that like that kind of drink. I did enjoy the añejo tequila at $20, but now it's suddenly $30. No thanks.

[@tjwright]

yup, Costco generally has so many great name-brand liquor choices at a great deal, that it's hard to pick up the Kirkland. Picked up 2 of the Knob 9yr last week.. they were $8 less than Kroger.

[@BaDArxz]

I didn’t know these existed… Then again you can’t buy booze in grocery stores in the state of Texas

[@JoshChristiane]

In South Austin there is a Costco that carries liquor because it's technically an independent liquor store, but it's connected to the Costco in the same way that it is in other states like Florida.

[@MashedFood]

What do you think of Kirkland Signature Whiskey?

[@dwayne7356]

1) why are they quoting Forbes? Go to the source, the law. ATF spells out the requirements for bourbon. 2) remember, none of these suppliers have life long contracts and one day these liquors might change or disappear.

[@provincialfish]

At least they get the proper spelling of whiskey/whisky for the correct bottles.

[@juvalencia]

Bourbon also need to be 51% corn or it can't be called bourbon

[@flying2lowAK]

Their single barrel burbon for 32 bucks at 120 proof is supper tasty. Can anyone name a sib in the same price range?

[@erik22lax]

Not all Costco locations are able to sell hard alcohol. Some locations you can only get beer, wine and liquors. Ask me how I know.

[@stevebarnes2]

I don't care how you know, I'll look in to it myself.

[@Darkseid300]

I know why?

[@TheBittner1]

Isn't "liquor" interchangeable with "hard alcohol"? Meaning they are the same thing.

[@Zazon_Man]

Why is it compared against Quebec whisky, and yet they don't sell it here. Quebec and Ontario (probably the rest of Canada) do not carry spirits in Costco. Also they don't sell Kirkland brand in our Liquor commissions. Seems unfair that they bring a Canadian whisky to the US, but won't sell it here.

[@edb75001]

5:55 did that dude just double-dip his finger into that batch? Jeez... man.

[@olyman63]

Awesome show

[@davidgun6826]

I'm just pissed that Costco doesn't carry Kirkland spiced rum anymore.

[@songhaihong]

On my way to Costco

[@canlite]

There were a LOT of mistakes in this video. Dont take any of this seriously. Look for videos of people that know what they are talking about.

[@dylanbowker5514]

I tuned out at "Vice" and "Reddit"

[@jackmann679]

"Everything Kirkland Signature is better than what you paid for it." Hope that's True.

[@bobdazzler7923]

Whens the bourbon coming out?? Fantastic stuff

[@faerieSAALE]

I opened a bottle of whiskey and drank it all. I opened the second bottle of whiskey and drinked up. I open a thirf bottul of whuskey und I drunct it. Zen I opfen ash fourf buffle oft wuffkey an I guzzled it dwon - den I fawl down.

[@willfrix1455]

8 guys on a golf trip and each one of us brought a different whiskey. One guy brought a Kirkland small batch. All 8 opinions were “fucking awful” and everyone gave it 3-4 tries. These were “blind” tastings - just can’t argue the results. If someone offers it to you, dot them squarely between the eyes and “run Forest, run”.

[@jamesstephenson8789]

Only thing I learned there whiskey isn’t high proof it can’t be Costco isn’t a state liquor agent

[@asmith7876]

In my state they have anything and everything, barrel-proof is typically 125 or so. Must be the laws in your state.

[@Fillythedamned1]

The bourbon is not 100% ABV .its 100p not the same thing. From oround the 5:25 min mark.

[@AG-ge6bt]

Jim Tom makes it.

[@reconn7]

If you look on the bottle, it says which distillery it was made at. This is not rocket science.

[@matthewhuszarik4173]

If you can’t tell by the taste of the whiskey who makes it then obviously there isn’t that great of a difference.

[@RayW808]

5:56 Massive Double-Dip...

[@richardogde2222]

commented about over fifty speyside ditilleries then says islay had tons try about 9 after all those mistakes i would like to try some of the whiskies anyway but get your facts right please

[@colby6131]

120% ABV. Wow.

[@HiThisIsMine]

Let me save time for anyone who reads the comments section first. “The truth about Costco Whiskey”… “we don’t know what the truth is…”

[@Ash333332]

It's impossible to produce 120% ABV. Pure ethanol is 100%. 120 proof is 60% ABV. You must understand the different ways of expressing strength before producing these videos as whilst they may be interesting to watch with these huge inaccuracies the rest of the info expressed is perceived to be equally inaccurate.

[@gavinchristman7515]

Think you guys misunderstood proof and ABV

[@xOogieBoogie3x]

Crown Royal is awful. they add sweeteners and coloring to it.

[@greggcollins4215]

And we get none of it in Kansas. Same with Trader Joes whiskey, not in Kansas.

[@rickwoud4319]

120% ABV?! thats ALOOOOOOOOOT BANG for your buck! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 where the script writers sampling during work?! 😅

[@extraspecial9755]

Bottled in bond is 100 proof which is 50% ABV, not 100%.

[@patrickwhitehead7584]

they have Islay???

[@eastonvonschist2283]

I have never seen liquor at the Costco I go too?

[@TheARguy15]

Half of you all are refilling crown royal and jameson bottles. arent you? haha

[@rizwanrasheed5189]

Jack daniels number 1 whisky in the world

[@philipdolan426]

This is a pretty good video but the videographer and narrator needs to remake the video and get re-educated when it comes to spirits. There’s plenty of blenders in errors. Requirement and rules of making bourbon Bourbon must be made of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn. Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume). Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels. Bourbon may not be introduced to the barrel at higher than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume

[@MH-zg5yw]

basically white labeled products that Costco stamps with Kirkland.

[@aaronboede5294]

Very few answers as to which distilleries they come from and they didn’t bother to learn how to pronounce some of the names properly