I don’t think many readers will disagree when I say Kirkland Signature is a great brand. It has a reputation for great products at reasonable prices. The selection of Kirkland Signature liquors offered by Costco mostly supports this reputation. They’re not all amazing, but for the most part, the ones I’ve tried have been very good. I purchased the Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin with high hopes that it would be a gin that offers premium flavor at a bargain price. Were my hopes misplaced?
I’ll admit it, I’m not really a gin drinker. I had a bad experience with gin years ago and have been turned off of it since then. I’m sure many of you can have that one liquor that you had a bad time with and now stay away from! Fortunately, my husband, parents and in-laws all like gin, so I was able to have them help me review the Costco Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin today!
If you’re curious about other Kirkland Signature liquors and alcoholic beverages, you may want to check out my reviews for the Kirkland Signature Original Spiced Rum, Kirkland Signature Scotch and Whiskey, Kirkland Signature Vodka, Kirkland Signature Anejo Tequila, Kirkland Signature Silver Tequila, Kirkland Signature Prosecco, Kirkland Signature Sangria, Kirkland Signature Premium Golden Margarita and the Kirkland Signature Traditional Holiday Egg Nog Alcoholic Beverage.
Location in Store
This can be found in your local Costco liquor store. The item number is 431456.
Taste
My family taste-tested the gin with club soda and a squeeze of fresh lime. The Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin has noticeable heavy notes of juniper. This is a solid gin, not amazing but from the price it’s a solid choice!
Bombay – The simplest of the gins in terms of flavor. It doesn’t have the different tasting notes that the Hendrick’s and Kirkland do.
Hendrick’s – My personal favorite gin. It has less going on than the Kirkland flavor-wise, but I love the cool, smooth cucumber taste.
Kirkland – Lots of tasting notes! Very herbal. It almost reminds me of herbal tea in some ways.
My Dad liked the Hendrick’s and the Kirkland equally. My Mom preferred the Bombay Sapphire. Hendrick’s is still my favorite, but I find the Kirkland enjoyable too. I liked it better with a splash of tonic water with the club soda and lime. I could see it being interesting in the right cocktail with the strong herbal notes.
Cost
The 1.75-liter bottle of gin costs $51.99 Canadian, which isn’t very expensive for such a large amount of gin! The price point is similar to Gordon’s Gin, but tastes better in my opinion.
Serving Suggestions
You could use the Costco Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin in cocktails like a gin and tonic, gin and soda, martini, negroni or gimlet. Although I don’t love gin if I am going to drink it I find I need a bit of sweetness so I prefer gin and tonic over gin and soda!
Scoring
Taste: 7/10
I would rate Hendrick’s a 9/10 and Bombay a 7/10 as well, but the flavor is different.
Cost: 9/10
Overall
Give it a try!
This is a decent gin and the price can’t be beaten. It tastes strongly of juniper but it works well in mixed drinks.
Have you tried the Costco Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin? What do you think of it?
Please note that this review was not paid for or sponsored by any third party. This product was purchased by Costcuisine for the purpose of producing this review. The opinions in this review are strictly those of Costcuisine. Costcuisine is not affiliated with Costco or any of its suppliers. In the event that Costcuisine receives compensation for a post from the manufacturer of a product or some other third party, the arrangement will be clearly disclosed (including where the manufacturer of a product provides Costcuisine with a free sample of the product).
Kirkland Gin is pretty good. Most gin drinkers will, of course, prefer Plymouth or Hendricks or other top-shelf brands. For more moderately priced brands, it holds up pretty well. I can’t say that Bombay or Tanqueray are superior. I certainly wish to second the criticism of the cork. Mine simply broke the third time I used the bottle. The plastic top separated from the “cork.” A piece of junk. So, while I like the gin, I won’t be buying another bottle until they begin using a standard screw-on top.
I’ve been a gin drinker for 50 years; it’s my drink of preference followed by Don Julio Añejo Tequila. The first few years, I would have a very dry martini, but after a while, I realized I didn’t like vermouth and just drank very cold gin, straight up with a twist. Most any gin is okay if you’re making gin & tonic or other similar drinks, but if you’re serious about your gin as I am, you certainly have a preference. Mine is Bombay Sapphire, kept in the freezer and poured very cold into a nice glass. Add a twist or maybe a couple of martini olives as a snack.
My Costco dropped all of the gins except Kirkland; what a disappointment. The Kirkland gin tastes too flowery for me; it’s fine for G&T, but not neat. Bill S was right on-target with his comment about the “cork” in the bottle. Not practical.
(I also drink the Don Julio Añejo neat – it’s that good.)
I agree with everything said. My only problem with rhe packaging. I’m probably on the lunatic fringe here, but I’ve always kept my gin in the fridge, preferably the freezer. The Kirkland “cork” is difficult to remove when chilled and virtually impossible when stored in the freezer. I could make it work thanks to Craftsman Robogrips tho.
I didn’t have any expectations concerning that title, but the more I was astonished. The author did a great job. I spent a few minutes reading and checking the facts. Everything is very clear and understandable. I like posts that fill in your knowledge gaps. This one is of the sort.
Although I don’t love gin if I am going to drink it I find I need a bit of sweetness so I prefer gin and tonic over gin and soda!
I found this review interesting, but maybe for the wrong reasons! My hubby brought back (to Canada), this delicious Kirkland gin from a trip to the States. I loved it. But what I found more interesting about your review was your comment about the mixer. I am on a hunt for tonic water that isn’t so sweet that you can’t taste the gin. I just bought 8 tiny cans of Fever Tree refreshingly light Tonic Water with 4 gms sugar per can from London Drugs, in BC. At a cost with tax of $13 Canadian!! Why do I have to pay more to get less (sugar)? Anyway, I’m going to try your suggestion of club soda mixed with tonic water. Cheers.
Fever Tree Naturally Light. You’ll be amazed
It’s called a “gin sonic” (soda+tonic).