Kirkland XO Cognac

This is the Costco house brand. Served neat in a glencairn from a freshly opened bottle. I compared it sbs w/ Remy Martin 1738. If the Kirkland doesn't beat the RM then there's no reason to buy it. Shockingly the Remy pours a darker color. Almost a dark raw honey. The Kirkland has a more complex nose, though. Sweet marzipan and slight old leather notes but nothing more specific. Tasting this - at first I note this faint wisp of menthol. My mind flashes to Vicks Vapo-Rub. Seriously. It's not horrible, but its not expected either. Weird. Its not like its the only note, but its what I noticed first. It has a sweet wine note, grapes, barrel wood. The Vicks impression fades as the liquor oxidizes, but its still there after about 15 minutes. My first imprssion is that the RM 1738 is significantly better. Creamier, richer and with more depth of flavor. The Kirkland is, by comparison, thin and offers up traces of menthol, barrel wood and other "stuff". It does get better with some air. I'll revisit this after the bottle has a chance to "settle in". I think this is going to be a mixer as it really doesn't match my expectations. I was told (by someone who's opinion I won't trust again) that the Kirkland XO was a "great" cognac at a very competitive price and that it was "as good as" Hennessy XO. Uhm.... NO. It's not. Right now, I"m not impressed. For the money this is a no brainer - it will be a hard pass. The Kirkland doesn't suck, but its not (NOT) better than the Remy Martin 1738, and a damned far cry from the Hennessy. I guess you get what you pay for.

I believe each individual has unique taste buds. I am no expert, just for leisure drinker after hard day work. My experience trying Kirkland XO base on the individual's board review that one has to try it to familiarize your tasting buds. Cognac and Brandy are for sipping not for toasting a shot-buttoms up. To enjoy its full essence and therapeutic calming effects which relaxes and warms your body. 1st sip was smooth but immediately evaporates to your pallate going up to your nasopharynx , getting a feeling choking and dryness. Unlike other cognacs and brandy, that I tasted it stays down smoothly to your oropharynx. For me, NOT my choice of drink will put on my storage bin. My go-to brands for Cognacs: Hennessy Privilege, Martell Blue Swift, and Brandy: Carlos 1 Gran Reserva, Fundador

Wanted to try a cognac as I heard it pairs well with cigars but heard it’s not worth trying unless you spend $250 + cad however this Kirkland XO was an exception I heard about it definitely has some heat to it but it is smooth oily sweet and you can definitely taste the dried fruit oak and chocolate described on the bottle and for $75 cad for an XO it is an amazing value would keep this in stock all the time for sure

Fantastic deal for a wonderful cognac. I love it. Rich, fruity, and smooth as velvet dripping in clarified butter. It does taste like they have added a bit of sugar aka 'dosage' to this which certainly contributes to the softness of it. Beautiful bottle, and even better price.

This had a slight sweetness and had a port like finish. It was decent for a Cognac, but maybe not quite what I expected for the XO label. I would probably buy it again.

It seems to be a good price for $45. Get a bottle of Remi or Hennessy VSOP for $35 or so and save your money.