Kirkland Islay Single Malt Whisky Review 

Another interesting point about this whiskey: In my Costco, this bottle cost $35.00. All the other whiskeys these guys compared Kirkland to were in excess of $75.00 per bottle

I think you guys should definitely do a whole whiskey tribe episode where you try to find out where this scotch comes from. Taste test against the major islays and find a close match. Or just blind against the big brands and see if it beats any of them out. Super intrigued!

I can’t believe you guys are finally doing it, it’s such an incredible value

Been watching you guys for a long time and it's amazing to see the growth mooch has done over the years in recognizing smells & tastes.

For $40 a bottle it's phenomenal. I did a huge Islay flight and thought it was closest to coal ila

I am so glad I caught this review today, as Costco is a planned stop on my way home from work. I hope to pick up one of these. I have never been disappointed by any Kirkland branded spirits. Thanks for the review. I just subscribed too. 🥃🥃

I love that Kirkland Islay Single Malt, I bought 12 bottles at that price and it sits alongside my Ardbeg, Bunnahahbain, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Coal Ila, Kilchomen, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig

I've never had a bad Kirkland anything whiskey and Vodka. Solid sourced product. Your channel has been my source for no bullshit reviews. Sure, some of what you review I can not only get but never heard of. But it is because I'm in the land of Minnesota where many things are allocated to Bar and Grills before retail .

I'm so excited you guys did this one. I'm on my second bottle of this (with two in reserve because Kirkland is finicky with keeping things in the shelf). I'm also very proud of myself for basically going through the same motions of trying to figure out what this was. Great video, boyos.

I'm still somewhat a whiskey noob, but have definitely found I enjoy peated Scotches and Islay products. I was at Costco this last weekend and saw this for $37. Grabbed it due to some quick review searches on Google showing people enjoyed it. Brought it home and compared it to my HP12 and Ardbeg Wee Beastie and really liked the level of sweetness and smoke. Didn't punch you in the face, but was there. Way more briney (which I enjoy) than say the Ardbeg. I then found a bottle of Talisker Storm on sale (which I've never had but have wanted to try) and compared it to that. Yes I know, Isle of Skye vs Islay, but still some of the notes carry over. Enjoyed that one as well, but it was even better when I mixed the 2 glasses together, at about 50:50. Boy did I like that. I laughed because I remembered the recent Tribe episode where they did some blending. Not that I was trying to change something I hate, but wanted to see how they played off each other and it opened up way more sweetness and citrus.

Kirkland branded alcohol consistently surprises with quality and value. loved this vid

I just bought this bottle yesterday on a whim. First thing I did was pour a glass and search YT and your review popped up. Perfect way to have a first tasting. And this islay is damn good

Dudes! That is the BEST Erik Evenson intro I've ever seen (& will ever see - lol).

I'm on my third bottle of the stuff. I bought my first bottle in Kauai. I'm still shocked by how great a whisky it is. After watching this vid, I'm heading out to buy more tomorrow.

I stopped myself from watching this episode until I went to Costco today and got the Islay. It's really pretty darn good! :)

I literally just poured this whiskey. Opened RU-vid and watched this review while sipping on the Kirkland Islay Single Malt. I have every bottle you compared it to and it is a damn fine whiskey.

I highly value these reviews, they help make critical purchase choices for sure. Keep it up gents!

I’m a bartender and we use Kirkland liquors often for our signature cocktails because they are high quality and very well priced.

Went searching for this at Costco last week and was sad to see my local Costco didn’t stock it. Would love to try it.

Shoot an episode on a slowly rotating platform so we can see all the angles, then the MBs can vote on their favorite angle.

I bought three a couple months ago... Amazing Islay!

Picked this up on my trip home back from Louisville. It's solid, had it side-by-side with Ardbeg 10 the other day. It's much meatier and saltier, glad my impulse was on point!

I had the same experience trying to figure out which Islay distillery made that Kirkland Signature. I initially thought Bowmore with way more proof, but then thought Caol Ila. I still don’t know. But it’s good. Really good.

This specific Kirkland is something I've been curious about, cheers as always.

Thanks boys, for reviewing this whisky. I received a bottle as a gift and found it quite interesting. Islays are not my first go to, being a speyside/highland fan. I have enjoyed non peated Bunnahabin 12 and Stueradohr (misspelled I’m sure). This Murray offering grew on me. Definitely medicinal in nature with not over the top smoke and peat. 100 proof is a bonus. Just a great value. My pallet might be expanding. Had several of the sherried speyside offerings from Murray at Costco. The 18,20,22 all good stuff and priced affordably for that age. Not always available though.

Thanks for reviewing a whiskey I can actually get. My wife's going to Costco today, and she didn't say that she wouldn't get a bottle for me.

Much love. Thanks for all the content.

Finally i have u leg up i actually work at Costco Bay Area. I literally passed it up lmao ill pick it up now❤ thx guys

I hate when people comment that they just want another well known thing or another new islay or something on this channel & am glad to have seen that drop off a lot lately. Personally, I watch pretty much every episode, because I'm watching more for your personalities and entertainment than the whiskey now. Not to say I don't rewatch the video on a new whiskey I am trying for the 1st time, use it as a resource on whether or not to try something (not rhat you reliably talked about the whiskey in depth anyway), or that I don't also get new info about how you explore whiskeys by watching the episodes on something I'll never have. A lot of the people that are really trying to guilt you that they're leaving the channel, or are "only gonna watch if..." are Islay folks that only want to watch if you're doing an Islay...and with all of like 9 distilleries and a half dozen releases per distillery, you've already done most of them that anyone in the states is ever gonna get their hands on anyway, on top of how much that commenter is missing the whole point you mentioned about how the channel isn't about being so big and popular that it needs that person's view, and how doing these donations is about exploring and respecting the generosity of the people that donated. Then that leads into the...if you wanted them to review this special thing you're missing...that's on you for not sending it to be reviewed. Heck...I watched you review honey, cheese and hotsauce. I'm watching whatever you put out there, and if it's some obscure corn whiskey or Himalayan whiskey, it's all the same to me, and all greatly appreciated for bringing a smile or two to my morning.

The intro animation is a masterpiece of subtlety and understatement

The farther this went, the more I knew I needed to buy a Kirkland Islay

I've heard about this stuff but I've never found it at any of the Costcos near me. Which has never failed to make me sad. And now that you've compared it to Port Charlotte, I absolutely must find it.

I’ve always thought of the KS Islay single malt to be a Port Charlotte drop out barrel. If you take out the peaty nose and flavor out, it’s very similar to the classic laddie, impo

Love Kirkland products! That may not be the best, but overall a solid pour!

I got 6 bottles of this when it came out at my Costco last summer because it was only $39 a bottle (some of which were for gifts!). I thought it was really good, Kirkland always delivers pretty high quality, whatever they slap their brand on.

Haven’t been on the vault in a while, but DAMN the camera quality is out of this world these days😳 I can see every detail of Rex’s moochy glory.

I'm working on a bottle of Kirkland's BIB bourbon right now. I can't wait to see this in the store. If it compares favorably to the Port Charlotte, and if Rex wants to ship it to his whiskey shelf at home, this is gonna be a good bottle.

Watched this at work and said, “damn, this sounds a lot like Ardbeg An Oa”. So naturally I had to try it tonight and I must say, they are a damn good pair

Love the new angle

It’s been a minute since I have watched a video from you guys and normally I only watch the bourbon reviews but I must say nice upgrade on the magnificent bastard segment. It’s a little metal which I like, nice work you magnificent bastards!

Favorite camera angle so far.

I don't like whiskey, but I love watching these reviews!

I bought two bottles. When I got home I opened one-tasted it and drove back to Costco to buy 4 more. I think it tastes like bbq'd Laphroig. Well worth 34.99.

Honestly I tend not to watch the channel so much in the springboks and summer when it’s cold beer season and pick it back up later in the year when it’s whiskey time again. I like seeing all these strange or rare whiskeys, and hunt for them myself sometimes

Honestly,the amount of time I’ve had really high quality non-descript indie cheaper bottlings is surprising, but snobs often won’t even consider them, or assume they’re automatically junk, wrong! I’ve also often had poor quality boring bland really aged expensive malts. You’re correct most of those indie Islays are Caol Ila, and occasionally Bowmore, Lagavulin, among others. They can also use different cask configurations to change the profile slightly. I still haven’t been able to find a cheap half priced indie Ardbeg or Laphroaig though😢

I like their 23 yr Speyside they have as well.....great value and great experience.

I heard this whisky is actually sourced by Caol Isla and aged ~8 years. I bought two bottles and I think it's unbeatable for the price.

I enjoy Kirklands Whiskey Blend as well for a more daily drink and less special occasion. Like having a box wine that's pushes the boundaries of a nice Santa Barbara Pinot ! Just getting it done !

A surprise to me was the Kilchoman Machir Bay. A Big Ardbeg Uigeadail fan the Machir Bay brings a wonderfully lasting rich peat flavor much like Ardbeg. Kilchoman seems to be on the cusp of exploding onto the Islay scene.

I really like Kirkland's liquors. I have not found one yet that I didn't find something I liked about it. Also, if you scan the bar code with a fitness app it will tell you the brand. The Kirkland Irish whiskey scans as Jameson, the XO Cognac scans as Hennessy.

Not shocked at all. Absolutely love Kirkland brand products. Everything at Costco is really good quality, and an amazing value for the price. Their alcohol included: gin, tequila, cooked and single malt scotch. So. good.

HOW?! How were they able to get a 100 proof single malt Islay down to $40? I suspect they are from slightly younger casks. Regardless, I got this bottle in early September, and it absolutely surprised me in a great way.

They put out a Kirkland Signature Glenlivet 40 year. It was 800 and fantastic.

Guys its caol ila. They just made so much for Kirkland that they blended different ages of malt. Glad you had fun experimenting. Funny that this was my titan since that's exactly what I had in my glass to toast the MB's. what are the odds

Kirkland has some good stuff. I’ve seen this one every trip I make on a weekly bases. Their bourbon is great as well. Never disappointed.

I wish I had seen this show before going to Costco! I'll put it on my buy list....

Ok so first just want to say love the video, second I have to ask what is the song for that sick Erik Evenson Titan of Whiskey intro, that was really epic and awesome and was not expecting that at all! 🤘🤘

I tried the Kirkland 19 yr Speyside Sherry Cask & was pleasantly surprised. At $35.99, this Kirkland Islay was an easy sell.

I've walked past that bottle because it said Kirkland. I don't think that I'll do that again. Thank you both AND Eric.

This stuff is a tremendous bargain, if you can find it. $39.99 a bottle! I've seen it exactly once. I wish I'd bought half a dozen.

I just love it when the first tasting note from Daniel's mouth is "What the Heck?!" Good job for squeezing that one out of him, Kirkland.

I was just standing in the whiskey aisle in Costco and didn't purchase. Never thought I'd see the episode so soon after. Guess I have to go back.

I have missed this format

It's a shame you guys aren't taking donations anymore. I was considering sending some Australian Whiskies over at some point. I hope once you get everything sorted out you open up to donations again

I'm just happy you're doing scotch again 🥰

I check every week for it to show up again.

Love this stuff especially for the price, drained a bottle rather quickly and need to restock

I have two competing interests: stacking bullion and drinking whiskey. The more I do of one, the less I can do of the other.

The 50% ABV suggests Bruichladdich. Could it be a blend of Port Charlotte 10 and the Classic Laddie?

Wow! I live in Maryland, and our Costcos can't sell alcohol. I'll have to travel to Washington, DC now. Ardbeg 10 is my favorite Islay Scotch. Road trip! Thanks fellas!

What states can we get Kirkland brand liquors at Costco? In Texas we cannot get them.

Sounds like Bowmore. I once got a bottle of 10 year old on sale at Save Mart in Reno for $20 and it was ridiculously good.

Snagged this bottle in August for 35.99 at Costco. Cracked it last weekend. My first thoughts were it was so much like Port Charlotte, but I dismissed that since I thought there was no way it could be.... 10 rating when looking at the price point.

I had this a couple months back. Good stuff and like 28 bucks 👍👍

Great video

Thanks for the video 👍🏻🥃

Epic mooch Rex.. well done

I wish I could try the Kirkland line of Whiskies... unfortunately, they're not available here in Canada...

Surprisingly, this is very good stuff!

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE FOR SO LONG

GOOD MORNING YOU MB'S.... 🥃 Rex is a dangerous man when he is creatively bored... lets move ALL this junk.. because... I relate..

There’s something about the bottle too. I just bought this whiskey. Holding it felt right.

Can you get Kirklands brand bottles at the WB liquors adjacent to Costco?

Its regularly $37 a bottle at my Costco in Colorado!! A steal!!!

Bought a bottle of this last week & held off watching this vid until tonight. I didn't want my impression to be influenced. Being a Single Malt Islay, 50 AbV & $36 you'd be hard pressed to anything to match it and be $36. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I like it 🥃😎🤙 The iodine reference for "medicinal" makes sense 🧐. I could never pinpoint anything specific. The closest I could come up with was some cough medicine my Mom gave me back in the 60's 😒. I guarantee there was nothing sweet or fruity about it. If anything, a ☠️ should have been on the front label 🤨

How do we send whiskey suggestions to you guys. I had a taste of Ardbeg's new one, "Wee Beastie" and it is great. Could not believe it was just a 5 year. Worth trying. Would love to see your opinion.

The Costco/Kirkland's Islay Single Malt ($39) may be a Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 Year. Kirkland's Islay Single Malt is bottled by the Alexander Murray Co bottling company, which has a long relationship with Bruichladdich and it is bottled at 50% ABV.

It’s like I’m slowly getting a tour of the facility 😄

I have a bottle on my shelf. Sadly I have had to go dry, so I have not bought more. This is a limited bottling in that it is on the store shelf right now, and will sell out soon.

I love this whiskey to the point that I have 6 backups.

I’m so mad, I haven’t seen this at my Costco in a year! I should have bought a crate when it came in

the whiskey titan song always gets me hyped

Whiskey Fellow did a review on this and broke down all the known elements: Islay Signal Malt from Alexander Murray Co independent bottlers and bottled at 100° at 50%/100 Proof. Kirkland products are always rebranded name brands, relabeled to protect the market value of the brand and give Costco the discount for their volume. Whiskey Fellow's conclusion is that Kirkland's Islay Single Malt is indeed Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 year. If true, that's about $25 savings. Three bottles pays for my annual Costco membership :)

Port charlotte is one of my favorites.

I almost never - meaning never - get a toasted honey note. I get some burnt caramel, sometimes, particularly on Port Charlotte. I wonder if that is the same note on different palates?

Is it possible a bruichladdich eight, as a Port Charlotte?

It should be pointed out, CostCo has a really, really good wine buyer too... Their alcohol game is on point

Kirkland Signature brand is one major reason to keep our membership which we let lapse over the past year and not wanting to deal with the crowds.. Anywho all their liquors have been top shelf for well prices. A friend that owns a winery basically talks about how they deal with Costco and if they want to keep their deal when Costco calls they ship whatever they have, even if they are filling those bottles with $70 wine that sells at Costco for $12....

You guys liked the Sheildaig Islay from Total Wine, maybe that would be a fair comparison.

Y’all should try the Kirkland Premium small batch if you haven’t already.