Who Really Makes Kirkland‘s Bourbon And Why The Mystery?
Kirkland Signature Small Batch Bourbon is often presumed to come from the George Dickel distillery in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Here‘s a deeper look at why experts point to Dickel, and why Costco keeps the manufacturer undisclosed.
How Does Kirkland Bourbon Compare To Other Tennessee Whiskies?
While not quite as spicy as Dickel‘s standard No. 8 whiskey, Kirkland Small Batch has common flavors like maple syrup, vanilla, and charred oak. It‘s sour mash like Dickel, and aged for around 5-6 years – less than Dickel Barrel Select but longer than No. 8.
Kirkland vs Other Tennessee Bourbons
| Bourbon | Price | Sweetness | Spice | Oakiness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkland Small Batch | $25 | Medium | Mild | Medium |
| George Dickel No. 8 | $22 | Medium | High | Mild |
| George Dickel Barrel Select | $45 | High | Medium | High |
Dickel is known for its sweet yet spicy signature profile, which Kirkland‘s flavor closely resembles. The subtler spice and oak could suggest Costco requested slight customization from Dickel to stand apart.
Why The Secrecy Around The Manufacturer?
For consumer brands like Kirkland, keeping manufacturing details private affords certain advantages, like:
- Maintaining supplier flexibility – If needed, the retailer can switch manufacturers without having to relabel products
- Preventing competition – Consumers may otherwise buy directly from the original distiller
- Enabling lower pricing – By not advertising the distiller, retailers can offer products at very low prices
So in short, the secrecy allows Costco to keep prices down and maintain its flexibility. According to Mashable, these confidentiality agreements are standard practice among private-label retailers like store brands.
Key Takeaways
Based on in-depth flavor analysis by bourbon experts, George Dickel is almost certainly the producer given the Tennessee tasting notes. Costco‘s supplier privacy allows for great value while making slight customizations.
At just $25 per bottle and with sweet maple, vanilla, and moderate spice, Kirkland Small Batch offers an accessible intro to Tennessee style bourbon for novice drinkers. Pick up a bottle at your local Costco or order online.
