Private label bourbon from Costco? How could we pass up this opportunity for some fun and excitement? The answer is simple. We could not, in good conscience, pass this up. And with that, we got around to consuming a bottle of Kirkland Select Premium Small Batch Bourbon from Costco.
Now, before we get into the flavor, we must address the mystery. Who makes Kirkland Select Premium Small Batch Bourbon? Obviously, it is not Costco themselves. However, the labels on the bottle are somewhat cryptic. The bottle mentions Clear Springs Distillery and both Clermont and Frankfurt, Ky. Therein lies the first, and best, clue. As all you budding bourbon historians out there know, Clear Springs Distillery was founded in 1913 by one David M. Beam in 1850. David was of the Jim Beam side of the family (as opposed to the Heaven Hill side of the family).
So case closed, right? Unfortunately not. According to a Certificate of Assumed Name filed with the state of Kentucky in March of 2011, the Clear Spring Distilling Company is in fact owned by Buffalo Trace. Buffalo Trace makes sense, given that the label listed Frankfurt, KY which is the home of Buffalo Trace.
However, this tale has one more turn before the conclusion. Someone with far better detective skills than I found an actual scan of the Certificate of Label Approval online. As you can clearly see, it was submitted by Jim Beam. At the end of the day, that makes this a Jim Beam product. The only twist remaining is who makes it now. Beam filed the COLA in 2010, then Buffalo Trace acquired the rights to the Clear Springs Distilling Company in 2011. So does Beam still make this? Most people believe that somehow as part of the deal, Beam is continuing to make this private label bourbon for Costco, but only time will tell if production will eventually shift to Buffalo Creek.
Mystery solved! Oh wait, no it isn’t. Not at all, in fact. Just because we know that Beam produced this bottle of Kirkland Select Premium Small Batch Bourbon, we don’t yet know which Beam product is actually in the bottle. Back to the label! It tells us that this bourbon is a seven year old, 51.5% bourbon. Beam has a few seven year old bourbons like Baker’s and Jim Beam Black, but the former is 53.5% and the later is 45%. Beam does not have any bourbon at 51.5% that I know of, but a few are close (other than the aforementioned Baker’s). Knob Creek and Old Grand Dad are both 50%.
What this seems to indicate is that this is not a direct private labeling of an already existing Beam product, but some kind of slightly tweaked or blended varietal. At the end of the day, do most Costco customers even care? No, I can definitely say they do not. All they care about is if this $20 bottle of bourbon tastes good.
I can tell you without hesitation that it is thoroughly decent. It’s not great, but it is not bad. There are plenty of other choices for around the same price point that put the Kirkland Select Premium Small Batch Bourbon from Costco in the middle of the pack. Would I buy it again? Well, if I was throwing a party and was already buying the rest of my supplies at Costco and wanted to save myself a trip to the liquor store, perhaps.
Which are the best distillers on the burbon trail
maker’s marks, willets, heaven’s hill, Wild and Wild Turkey
Sorry but those are most definitely not the best distillers. Woodford Reserve in Versailles KY is a beautiful one to tour and their bourbon is far superior to Makers, Heaven Hill and Wild Turkey. Knob Creek, Buffalo Trace, Bulleit are all better in my KY opinion
This is a concern about the Kirkland Brand of Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon. I enjoy such marvels of craftsmanship from time to time, but I must say that after ONE sip of Kirkland Kentucky Bourbon, I was greatly disappointed. So, I decided to finish my drink just to be sure. Then later I decided to make a Manhattan from the Costco distillate. Again, I had no success in creating a tasteful experience that my pallet has come to appreciate with other small batch creations such as Markers, Basil, Woodford, Knob, or the delightful Blatons. All fav’s. Sorry, but before Costco actually ruins the Kirkland Brand, I would encourage them to completely remove Kirkland Bourbon from their shelves. I will now pour out my $35 purchace and return for one of the five fav’s I list above.
A valued costomer for a very long time.
no more makers mark for m a wonderfu a wonderful product
Truth be told…I was SHOCKED at what a great value this bourbon was! Maybe not my top favorite…but considering it’s priced at 40% of equivalent bourbons…it very well may be my go-to favorite from here on out! A great surprise…you can’t go wrong!
The bottle I just purchased listed Kentucky Springs Distillery, not Clear Springs. Kentucky Springs makes Knob Creek
Thanks for the information. They may have made a change since we bought this bottle in early 2012.
Well, I was very disappointed with Kirkland Bourbon, thought I was getting the deal of the year at $20, so back to Buffalo Trace for me.
Really? Buffalo Trace? This is bottled in 1 liter bottles, deal in its self. This is a good bourbon, not great. You guys sound like JD is your goto drink!
I was just at five distilleries last weekend on a Bourbon tour. Buffalo Trace and Makers were parts. This Bourbon is similar to Buffalo Trace. Rye not Wheat, at $20, a great deal for an above average, close to the Rare Trace. If you don’t like the rye types, then don’t buy it.
Not bad. Goes down smooth. A bit of an after taste. This is a small batch Bourbon. Will change from batch to batch. Probably not as good as some of the more expensive brands but still a good deal.
Gotta say, my favorite is wood creek,BUT; ! at &20. for a 1 liter bottle of kirkland brand, I will indeed go out of my way for it.besides after a few, it,s just as good. a nice surprise.