The Macallan 18 at Costco $80 [Kirkland branded]

Not sure if it's always been there cause I've never paid attention but a couple weeks ago I saw Piobaire had a picture with it and I asked him about it.

Afterward, I did a search and turned up some discussion on it on various forums but they were all from last year and it seemed like it wasn't an on ongoing thing as many people were quite excited about it and others were listing limited numbers at their stores. There was also quite a lot of discussion as to whether it was the real 18 y.o. Macallan, a blend using it or an off-batch that Macallan was selling off. There was no final consensus but the majority seemed to think it was the real deal especially given the fact that it is branded as The Macallan on the bottle and not just Kirkland.

Just got back from Costco (Willowbrook, NJ) and there are maybe 40-50 bottles on the shelf for $80 if anyone is interested. If it's always been there, well, nothing lost by posting this. Price was also apparently $70 last year from what I gather so it's gone up.

As an aside for the vodka drinkers, when I was looking up the info on the whisky many people also stated that the Kirkland vodka is really just rebottled Grey Goose. The price is $30 for 1.75L as opposed to $35 for 0.75L (or maybe it was 1L).

Have you tried it to confirm whether it's authentic Macallan 18?

Originally Posted by King Francis

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Have you tried it to confirm whether it's authentic Macallan 18?
As I said, I couldn't turn up anything conclusive other than some discussion on various forums e.g. this one on Fatwallet. There was a lot of back and forth but the majority seemed to think it's the same. IIRC someone even contacted The Macallan but I can't remember if they gave a definitive answer (although they didn't say no). Pio has a bottle so maybe he can confirm. Edit: Looks like it may not be the same after all. Found this post on FW in a new thread updating people that it's available at Costco again:

This deal looks hot, and I'm going to go pick some up soon! But I wanted to make sure everyone is aware that this is distinctively different than an official "The Macallan" 18yr Scotch. The Macallan 18 year is normally aged entirely in Sherry casks. However, this Kirkland Macallan is Aged in Oak Bourbon Casks for 17.5 years and aged in Sherry for the remaining 6 months. Click on the "Scotch" link on the Kirkland Signature Wine Connection for more info http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/ks_wine/

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I may have to give this one a whirl, despite the faux/pretense nature of it all.

No Macallan (or any scotch for that matter) is aged for its entirety in oak bourbon barrels. It wouldn't be scotch if that were true.

Originally Posted by why

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No Macallan (or any scotch for that matter) is aged for its entirety in oak bourbon barrels. It wouldn't be scotch if that were true.

Decidedly not true, my friend. You're gonna tell me this isn't real Scotch?



Trust me, that's real Scotch. Plus, your definition means that the existence of Scotch had to post-date the existence of Bourbon, for there to be oak Bourbon barrels to age Scotch in. I think we know which came first

To the Big Mac, it's not a fine oak bottling. It's okay, it's worth the $80 if you like Mac, but I'd rather spend less on a bottle of Cragganmore Distillery Edition.

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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Decidedly not true, my friend. You're gonna tell me this isn't real Scotch?

Trust me, that's real Scotch. Plus, your definition means that the existence of Scotch had to post-date the existence of Bourbon, for there to be oak Bourbon barrels to age Scotch in. I think we know which came first

To the Big Mac, it's not a fine oak bottling. It's okay, it's worth the $80 if you like Mac, but I'd rather spend less on a bottle of Cragganmore Distillery Edition.

Oops. I meant all scotch has to be aged for some time in oak bourbon barrels. I was going to write 'no scotch is aged for its entirety in sherry barrels' and edited wrong.

In order to be classified as Scotch whisky the spirit has to, among other criteria, have been aged in Scotland for a minimum of 3 years in an oak barrel. Whether the cask previously held bourbon or sherry (or anything else) has no bearing on it being Scotch or not, although it of course has a huge effect on the taste and colour.

Originally Posted by Bohdathone

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In order to be classified as Scotch whisky the spirit has to, among other criteria, have been aged in Scotland for a minimum of 3 years in an oak barrel. Whether the cask previously held bourbon or sherry (or anything else) has no bearing on it being Scotch or not, although it of course has a huge effect on the taste and colour.

Really? Damn. No wonder I prefer just to drink the stuff.

I found an interesting discussion regarding Macallan 18 branded Kirkland and Trader Joes...

Discussion on fatwallet

Weighing in late and haven't tried it, but, other than the last several moths in the Sherry cask, the method should be otherwise the same.

http://www.drinkhacker.com/2008/12/1...y-cask-finish/

The reviewer however notes significant tasting differences between regular Mac 18. But its an option for those like me that would need to be celebrating a first born child to surrender $140 for 3/4 liter of scotch.

I was excited until I realized that Costco doesn't sell liquor in TX, at least according to my recollections.

Originally Posted by Thomas

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I was excited until I realized that Costco doesn't sell liquor in TX, at least according to my recollections.

The Costco in Austin has an adjoining Costco liquor store. It's separate because the liquor store has to close on Sundays, among other laws.

TJ's used to have a blended whiskey that was ~$10 for a liter. That was some good ****, but they've run out and, for now, cannot get more.

They now have an 11 yr old for ~$30 that's not bad, but nothing to write home about.

TJ's also carries a some very well priced vodka, rum, and gin (and port... and some other stuff), all of which are more than halfway decent. These are not branded under their name.

In short, a good liquor section for those on a budget.