Kirkland Signature Vintage Ale is a bourbon barrel-aged American imperial stout brewed by Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon. This 22-ounce bottle contains a 12% ABV craft beer that has been aged for nine months in former bourbon barrels.

The brew features dark chocolate malt, milled oats, and Dutch cocoa combined in the mash before fermentation. The extended barrel aging process imparts rich complexity to the flavor profile. The beer displays a deep brown color with subtle garnet tones rather than the typical inky-black of traditional stouts, with a moderate foamy head and pleasant carbonation.

Tasting notes reveal layers of roasted coffee beans, espresso, dark chocolate, malted milk balls, and sweet toffee, balanced with oak-derived bitterness from the bourbon barrel aging. The palate is restrained and soft with earthy, toasted malt characteristics, roasted nuts, and a medium-length finish featuring subtle oak sweetness and dark chocolate notes. The body maintains hearty flavor while presenting a lighter viscosity than many imperial stouts.

This seasonal release is available at select Costco warehouse locations and is bottled in an attractive cardboard box. The 2024 batch was bottled on July 30, 2024, and offers exceptional value for a barrel-aged imperial stout at its price point.