Kirkland Single Barrel Reserve Kentucky Bourbon by Barton 1792

Nose: Dusty, caramel, honey, oak Palate: Charred oak, creamy vanilla, and dark cherry Finish: Medium, a nice warming baking spice finish that lingers Those who know Costco know its house brand Kirkland Signature. Once, store brands like Kirkland were thought of as off-brand but today Costco fans far and wide proudly wear Kirkland in the form of sweatshirts and flip-flops. When it comes to Kirkland's brand of spirits, rumors still fly about regarding the source of its popular French vodka. However it's newer line of Bourbon leaves no mystery with Barton 1792 emblazoned on the label. I comment on Kirkland for offering such transparency on its source. This pour is a great all-around sipper: a good coating mouthfeel, classic bourbon notes, and solid finish. A friend came over with 1792 Full Proof and I took this bottle out and we compared them side-by-side. It was uncanny how similar the two pours were! At $30ish for an entire liter, this release offers one of the best values in whiskey.

I tasted this whiskey blind, along with 149 other whiskeys over the course of a year, and this one scored the highest overall. It beat out bottles like Stagg Jr (B15), Garrison Balmorhea, Booker's Pigskin, Angels Envy Cask Strength, Remus Repeal, Doc Swinson's 15yr, and a bunch of other much more expensive and outstanding bourbons. The only thing even slightly lacking with this one is the nose, it's a little one-dimensional. But other than that, it's just about the perfect bourbon in my opinion. Amazing depth with layers of classic bourbon flavors like caramel, vanilla, cherry, barrel spice, shaved dark chocolate, and a delicious creamy smooth finish that coats your palate and hangs on forever. It drinks dangerously easy for 120 proof. So. Damn. Good.

Kirkland Barton single barrel reserve 120 proof (Ksb) vs 1792 Full Proof 125 proof. The first thing you notice is the ksb is a tiny bit darker. Nose: They both have a rich vanilla citrus nose. The ksb has a very tiny 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 tiny bit 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 vs value.

I did a head to head kirkland barton bib vs the kirkland barton sib (120 proof). The first thing you notice is the sib is a few shades darker (more red). Bib Nose : astringent , citrus and carmel. Taste: tangy sweet light pineapple, citrus a little cereal. Medium numb spicy finish. This is nothing to laugh at for less than $25 a liter. 3.75 Sib Nose : more rich and smooth with a citrus carmel as well. Taste: wow this shows up the bib. Almost twice as good. Smooth carmel, citrus, cherry, rich and deep. For only $5 more??? ($29)  Finish is sweet, smooth with a little spice. 4.25 but I really want to rank it higher for the value.

Mar 2025. Clear medium dark golden amber. Aromatic woody, sweet, nutty, oily, oak barrel, caramel, cereal, sweet spicy, clove, cinnamon and vanilla in nose. Dry, full body with woody, oaky, sweet spice, clove, nutmeg, leather, burn plastic, rubber, sweeten apple, honey, sweeten berry and oaky vanilla in palate. Good balance medium long woody spicy finish. 60% ABV full body 5yo in new oak.

Pleasant nose…not astringent for a 120 proof. Get a nice sweet tobacco note. A bit of caramel as well. A whiff of peanut. On the taste is is a little hot and doesn’t fully follow the nose. Not bad on taste, but a let down from the nose Finish is medium to long with a nice warming . Spicy and peppery. Definitely better than the BiB. For $30 a 1L it’s hard to beat on value.