Kirkland 4 Year Irish Whiskey

As I’ve worked my way through the 1.75 L bottle for the past few weeks, I’ve had a hard time deciding whether I actually enjoy this Irish just a little bit? Or am I just tolerating it? I’ve concluded that I have just been tolerating it. Granted, I drink a generous pour over ice and sip through the evening, but there is just very little actual flavor in it. Essentially inoffensive and bland, once in a while you get a hot sip that in my mind unconsciously screams “lighter fluid.” I would never serve to guests I actually respected. I might buy again as purely an economics play - that’s a lot of drink for $25. But I hope I would find a better option for a similar price.

You bought this whiskey at Costco remember? Look at the label it says Kirkland, what were you thinking? I mean there you were minding your own business pushing your shopping cart and you see this big old bottle of whiskey and you see the price and you went WHOA what a deal! So what do you do, you pick it up and put it in your cart next to the 2 gallon tub of mayonnaise. Well you might as well open that tub of mayonnaise and fix yourself a sandwich to go with that whiskey because they’re both going to be around for quite a while.

Grass, grain, caramel, and a touch of lemon are in the aroma of this low cost offering from Kirkland. Taste begins with a hint of sweetness and taste of black pepper and salted caramel. Some licorice can pop up from time to time. Finish is short but moderately clean. An easy dram but not much more. Can offer something to the focused taster but can also be a slammed or mixed, although for not much more than the alcohol addition.

Nose: light, simple sweetness of spun sugar, honey, light buttery note, spring orchard flowers, herbal but faint. Taste: similar to the nose but with a more forward on the herbal quality, almost a slight bittering note. Some sharp, peppery notes. Sweetness subdued a little more than what I’d like. Overall, an ok Irish whisky for the buck. Works well as a mixer, not as nice neat. Decent budget whisky to have for quantity sake.

Slightly licoricey smell, very strong tongue bite with caramelly taste 1 drop of water - less bite, creamier texture, oaky smell 2 drops - similar oaky smell as 1 drop but little fruity, licoricey taste

This is a very easy drinking whiskey. Like a lot of Irish whiskeys, it is light on the palate and nothing too special. It is a crowd pleaser for social events worthy of a pour.