Kirkland Premium Small Batch Bourbon - batch B - 5183

This is reviewed on the day of opening.

Many online sources attribute this bourbon to Jim Beam, but there is no such identification on the bottle. It is distilled in Kentucky by Kentucky Springs distilling company. It has an age statement of 7 years. There is no mention of chill filtration (suggesting it is, but we tasted it neat), but I suspect it is natural colour as it is bottled in the USA.

Nose: spirity at first. The caramel suggested on the label is present, but not as complex as it would have you believe. Definitely some alcohol on the nose.

Taste: caramel and spice, with a little alcoholic burn. A little smoke in the background. Sweet.

Finish: pretty short, contrary to the label. A little smoke. Sweet.

This bourbon is not bad for its price, $37 CAD including GST in Alberta. Not surprisingly it appears to have a similar profile to Booker's. They are both about the same age and both claim to be small batch, but in a head to head the Booker's (C04-1-19) , the latter has a richer nose, mouthfeel and flavour, and is much more complex.

If offered I probably wouldn't turn it down, but I don't think I'll be buying a bottle to take home with me.