The Best Kirkland Liquors to Buy at Costco

Costco’s private-label brand, Kirkland Signature, has practically earned superstar status, with everything from olive oil to laundry soap earning high marks from expert reviews. And the same is true for Kirkland booze.

If you live in one of the states that allows Costco to sell its Kirkland Signature booze, consider yourself lucky, because spirits experts say the store-brand spirits are dead ringers for the top-shelf stuff — and they’re usually 20 to 40 percent cheaper.

• Kitchn Editors Reveal Their Favorite Kirkland Signature Products at Costco
  
• The 13 Best Kirkland Signature Products at Costco

There’s a lot of mystery surrounding Kirkland spirits. First of all, how can the store sell so much good booze for so little money? Answer: For the most part, it all boils down to buying power. Second, why is the selection always so varied? That’s a harder question to answer. The scotch options vary depending on what’s available from Scottish distilleries. And some options, like the Kirkland XO Cognac, are only available during the holidays.

Confusing things further, the company doesn’t keep an online list. Regulations regarding online advertising of hard liquor vary from state to state, so Costco avoids the issue but not listing any of its spirits online.

But the biggest question is who makes this stuff? Costco doesn’t reveal which companies are contracted to make its private-label spirits, but the consensus among experts is that it’s big brands you already know and love.

Here’s a list of the best bottles to buy, whether you’re just adding to your bar cart or stocking up for a party. Generally speaking, these aren’t super high-end, complex sippers, but they will make excellent cocktails and highballs.

Don’t have a membership
? No biggie, as long as you live in one of the 14 states that require Costco to allow non-members to buy its booze. Just head to the membership desk and get a temporary pass. The following is a list of states where you can buy liquor at Costco without a membership:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New York
• Texas
• Vermont

Brand name equivalent: Grey Goose, $34 for 750 milliliters at Reserve Bar

The hands-down favorite of all Kirkland spirits, the French vodka earns high scores from experts and average drinkers alike. Rumor has it that it’s really just a big bottle of Grey Goose. And while both are made from Gensac Springs water in Cognac, France, and both are made in the same distillery, they’re actually different products, which you’ll quickly realize when tasting them both side by side. In fact, Kirkland usually scores higher.

Kirkland also makes an American vodka that’s distilled six times. It’s smooth and practically flavorless, and a fantastic deal at $14 for 1.75 liters, but reviewers agree the French version, with its rich, silky-smooth texture, is far better.

Brand name equivalent: Herradura Tequila Añejo, $44 at Mash & Grape

Añejo tequilas are made with 100 percent agave and must be aged in wood barrels for at least a year, giving them a mellow, rich flavor with notes of vanilla and honey. As a result of all that TLC, they’re usually pretty pricey. But not Kirkland’s.

Legit tequilas have a NOM number on the label, which designates the distillery where it’s made. According to this one it’s made at Fabrica de Tequilas Finos, S.A., in Tequila, Mexico — the same distillery that produces Cielo. Product-wise, though, this seems more comparable with Herradura.

Both are double distilled, 100% agave from the same growing region, aged in American oak, and 40% alcohol by volume. According to Costco, theirs is aged an average of three years. Reviewers give it good marks, saying it’s a great value and perfect for mixing, although a little too subtle and lacking in the complexity you’d want in a sipper.

Equivalent Brand Name: Beefeater London, $30 for one liter at 67 Wine

Expert tasters say this juniper-forward gin is the perfect match for summertime G&Ts, negronis, and gin-based cocktails. Unlike many of the boutique gin producers that go all-in for a whole slew of botanicals, this one adheres strongly to the classic London Dry style, with just the right amount of citrus zest to balance the juniper.

Equivalent Brand Name: Gentleman Jack, $35 for 750 milliliters at Wine Chateau

Kirkland used to offer Kentucky bourbon but switched to Tennessee in the last couple of years. This narrows down the distilleries a lot. All evidence points to either Jack Daniel’s or George Dickel, since they’re the biggest in the state. Reviewers say Kirkland’s 7-year-aged bourbon tastes a lot like Gentleman Jack, with flavors of toffee and banana.

Comparable Brand name: Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, $14 for 375 milliliters at 67 Wine

There’s no better deal for your rum and cokes, poolside tiki drinks, and

autumn punches

Costco has teamed up with Alexander Murray, a California-based company that sources and bottles a wide range of whiskies from Scotland, to offer a rotating selection of very well-regarded and very well-priced scotch.

Think of it this way — there’s a lot of scotch whisky being made from producers big (The Macallan) and smallish (Bruichladdich), but not all if it fits the flavor profile each producer is going for. What do they do with the stuff that’s really good but not the right fit? They sell it to someone like fellow Scottsman Steve Lipp, owner of Alexander Murray, who bottles it under his own and Kirkland’s labels.

The options have ranged from Speyside single malt ($33); 18-year single malt ($36), 12-year blended ($38); and a 16-year-old highland ($48.99). Take note of those prices — they’re at least $20 cheaper than name-brand bottles.

Are there any other bottles of Kirkland booze that you like to shop for that aren’t on this list? Add them in the comments below!