Costco has long been known for selling bulk quantities of high quality foods and other consumables at discount prices. And those discounts are even sweeter when they are packaged with the Costco store brand – Kirkland Signature.
As a decade-plus Costco customer and occasional beer, wine, and spirits consumer (responsibly and in moderation, of course), I had always found the Costco liquor selection to be somewhat under-developed over the years. Fortunately, for frugal drinkers, that is no longer the case.
I have been pleasantly surprised to see that Costco has built out its Kirkland Signature liquor selection. What kind of alcohol does Costco sell? Unfortunately, there is (was) really no easy way to find out online what alcohol Costco sells and how much it costs. If you Google search for “Costco alcohol”, “Costco liquor”, “Costco spirits”, “Costco beer”, “Costco wine”, or the Kirkland Signature word variation of each, the first result is either this page or this page – both being dead blank pages with zero product info.
Your guess is as good as mine as to why Costco doesn’t want people to know what alcohol they sell or how much it costs, but given that it is such a mammoth company and their prices are favorable to similar brand-name marketed products, I can’t imagine it is an oversight. There could be a few possible factors at play, but I’ll leave the punditry to your imagination. Whatever the case, I decided to fill the void and create an “ultimate guide” to Costco’s alcohol selection. I sought out the answers to the following questions:
Can you buy alcohol at Costco without a membership?- What types of Kirkland Signature house brand beer, wine, and spirits does Costco sell?
- What are the volume quantities?
- How much do they cost?
- Who makes Kirkland Signature beer, wine, and spirits?
Can you buy alcohol at Costco without a membership?Before we continue, I think it’s important to note that, in my view, alcohol is purely a luxury item – nowhere near being a necessity. If you have a negative or tiny personal savings rate, high-interest debt, or any sort of a drinking problem – you’d best avoid the stuff altogether.
Can you Buy Alcohol at Costco Without a Membership?
Let’s address this first. Legal drinking age is not the only factor at play in buying alcohol at Costco. As I highlighted in my how to shop at Costco without a membership post, it appears that buying alcohol at Costco is one of the few exceptions where you may not need a membership to purchase. At a minimum, the following states have had laws in place that require shopping membership clubs to sell alcohol to the general public without membership:
- Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Texas, Vermont
There are varying reports on whether Costco has adopted the same policy in other states. Your mileage may vary.
On to the aisle…
Note that cost and selection may vary by location and by date.
Costco Kirkland Signature American Vodka
- Price: $16.99
- Volume: 1.75L
- Proof: 40% alc./vol. (80 Proof)
- Country of Origin: USA
- Importer: n/a
- Maker: Fairmont Ltd. Mira Loma, CA
- Notes & Description: I’ve purchased – and it’s a solid, smooth vodka. Distilled 6 times and “offers an extraordinarily smooth mildly sweet finish”.
Costco Kirkland Signature French Vodka
- Price: $24.99
- Volume: 1.75L
- Proof: alc./vol. ( Proof)
- Country of Origin: France
- Importer: Misa Imports Inc. Dallas, TX
- Maker: Distilleria de Gayant bottles in same region as Grey Goose. But rumor is they are not made by the same manufacturer.
- Notes & Description: distilled 5 times. “Aromatically clean and elegant, finishes smoothly with appealing balance and style”.
Costco Kirkland Signature Canadian Whisky
- Price: $27.39
- Volume: 1.75L
- Proof: 40$ alc./vol. (80 proof)
- Country of Origin: Canada
- Importer: Wide World Importers. Louisville, KY
- Maker: Crown Royal (according to popular internet opinion)
- Notes & Description: I’ve purchased and really enjoy the Kirkland Canadian Whisky. Aged 6 years in white oak. “This whisky is velvety smooth with an enourmous boquet of complex vanilla, honey, spice, and toasted oak aromas. The initial sweet nutty character is followed by a rich creamy taste with a slightly spicy finish”.
Costco Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky
- Price: $22.99
- Volume: 1.75L
- Proof: 40% alc./vol. (80 Proof)
- Country of Origin: Scotland
- Importer: Misa Imports, Inc. Dallas, TX
- Maker: Alexander Murray & Co.
- Notes & Description: “the aged malt and grain whiskies in this Kirkland Signature Scotch Whisky are carefully blended to evoke aromas of dried fruit, with a slightly sweet, malty taste, which gives way to a long, gently warming finish”.
Costco Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky – Aged 12 Years
- Price: $52.99
- Volume: 1.75L
- Proof: 40% alc./vol. (80 Proof)
- Country of Origin: Scotland
- Importer: Misa Imports Inc. Dallas, TX
- Maker: Alexander Murray & Co.
- Notes & Description: “this Kirkland Signature 12-year old blended scotch whisky is a distinctive marriage of single malt and grain whiskies that have been matured in oak casks for a minimum of 12 years. Notes of caramel, spice, and smoky peat prevail on the nose and palate before a long, smooth finish”.
Costco Kirkland Signature Añejo Tequila
- Price: $27.99
- Volume: 1L
- Proof: 40% alc./vol. (80 Proof)
- Country of Origin: Mexico
- Importer: Misa Imports Inc. Dallas, TX
- Maker: Fabrica de Tequilas Finos, S.A. de C.V.
- Notes & Description: “made from 100% blue agave. It is double-distilled and aged to perfection in American Oak barrels in the traditional, old-world methods. This Kirkland Signature spirit provides an exceptional taste taste with an ultra-smooth finish”.
Costco Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin
- Price: $25.49
- Volume: 1.75L
- Proof: 44% alc./vol. (88 Proof)
- Country of Origin: USA
- Importer: n/a
- Maker: DC Flynt MW Domaines & Estates. Fairfield, CA
- Notes & Description: I’ve purchased – this is a good gin – with a little bite to it. “Our master distillers take the small batch approach in crafting this classic London dry gin. They use copper pot stills and distill five times using aromatic botanicals that are clean and pure, with notes of juniper and zesty, lemon-orange citrus”.
Costco Kirkland Signature XO Cognac
- Price: $67.99
- Volume: 750ML
- Proof: 40% alc./vol. (80 Proof)
- Country of Origin: France
- Importer: Misa Imports Inc.
- Maker: Peyrat-Associés & CIE
- Notes & Description: “aged 12 to 21 years in French oak barrels. Full-bdied with aromas of oak, vanilla and dried fruit. Flavors of honey, chocolate, and almond on the palate lead to a smooth finished”.
Costco Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum
- Price: $19.69
- Volume: 1.75L
- Proof: 46% alc./vol. (92 Proof)
- Country of Origin: St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
- Importer: Fairmont, Ltd. Mira Loma, CA
- Maker: Jim Beam
- Notes & Description: “patiently crafted and distilled 5 times on the Island of St. Croix from the first pressing of virgin sugar cane grown in rich soil and tropical sunlight”.
Costco Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon
- Price: $9.99
- Volume: 750ML
- Proof: 13.6% alc./vol.
- Country of Origin: USA (Sonoma, CA)
- Importer: n/a
- Maker: varies
- Notes & Description: “the complex aromas of plum and raspberry are enhanced by notes of espresso. The ripe, juicy palate displays bright cherry fruit, licorice, and mocha, while the rich fruit notes skillfully combine with firm oak tannins”.
Costco Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
- Price: $8.99
- Volume: 750 ML
- Proof: 14.9% alc./vol.
- Country of Origin: USA, (Columbia Valley, WA)
- Importer: n/a
- Maker: varies
- Notes & Description: “gentle fermentation extracted soft, round tannins, while emphasizing the black cherry notes of Merlot, and the ripe black currant characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon”.
Costco Kirkland Signature Champagne Brut
- Price: $19.99
- Volume: 1.5L
- Proof: 12% alc./vol.
- Country of Origin: France
- Importer: n/a
- Maker: varies
- Notes & Description: “a classic champagne. Bright, elegant, and intense. Made from a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier and 15% Chardonnay”.
Costco Kirkland Signature Chardonnay
- Price: $7.99
- Volume: 1.5L
- Proof: 13% alc./vol.
- Country of Origin: USA (CA)
- Importer: n/a
- Maker: varies
- Notes & Description: “vibrant tropical fruit flavors of pineapple and mango surrounded by fresh notes of peach, brisk green apple and sweet citrus, which is polished to a toasty oak finish of honey and butterscotch”.
Costco Kirkland Signature Chardonnay (Sonoma)
- Price: $6.99
- Volume: 750 ML
- Proof: 13.5% alc./vol.
- Country of Origin: USA (Sonoma, CA)
- Importer: n/a
- Maker: varies
- Notes & Description: “rich and ripe fruit flavors of apple, pear, and citrus notes with hints of vanilla and spice. Balanced and easy to drink. Remarkably consistent taste profile across every vintage”.
Costco Kirkland Signature Malbec
- Price: $6.99
- Volume: 750ML
- Proof: 13.5% alc./vol. ( Proof)
- Country of Origin: Argentina (Mendoza)
- Importer: n/a
- Maker: varies
- Notes & Description: ripe exotic fruit floral aromas with silky and bright flavors of red and black berries. An elegant finish with a charming balance of fruit and oak.
Costco Kirkland Signature Sauvignon Blanc
- Price: $6.99
- Volume: 750ML
- Proof: 12.5% alc./vol.
- Country of Origin: New Zealand (Marlborough)
- Importer: n/a
- Maker: varies
- Notes & Description: “bright citrus notes are coupled with hints of mineral, ripe pear and green apple. Crisp acidity on the finish with a palate structure of sweet lemon and orange zest”.
Costco Kirkland Signature Beer, Variety Pack
- Price: $19.99
- Volume: 24 pack, 12 oz./ea.
- Proof: alc./vol. varies
- Country of Origin: USA
- Importer: n/a
- Maker: varies
- Notes & Description: includes a Session IPA, Kölsch German-Style Ale, Pale Ale, and India Pale Ale
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My wife and I have a bet: Is this a sponsored post, or not?
Absolutely not. I don’t do sponsored posts. I do enjoy inexpensive/quality spirits though.
That’s good to know. To answer a question you pose, it would be impossible to compare store-to-store, as every state has different laws regarding distribution. This is interesting: In TN, which just legalized wine at grocery stores (including Costco) in July of 2016, a “store-exclusive” brands are verboten, meaning that other retailers would be free to purchase Kirkland wines from their TN distributor. Bulk discounts are legal, which obviously advantage Costco, as a smaller store would pay more – and have to charge much more – for the same product.
This is a solid posting G.E. But it doesn’t say much about whether Costco is cheaper than other locations – like your local liquor store.
Some other bloggers have looked at this and found that Costco has cheaper beer, but the comparison for liquor I don’t think has been done.
It’s really tough to do a comparison. Every retailer is going to have slightly different prices. And every brand is going to have different prices. And there are dozens in each type of spirit! That’s why I thought it would be best to lay out the prices/offerings and people can do their own comparisons.
As a general guideline, my experience has been that prices per volume are typically 25-50% lower than quality brand-name equivalents.
No listing of bourbon?
I listed everything they had at my store (whiskeys included). Are there others?
I love Costco’s Kirkland alcohol! Call me crazy but I think the American vodka is almost on par with Grey Goose at a fraction of the cost. I have to confess that I bought quite a few cases of Kirkland Light (beer) back in my college days but have now moved on to something a little more “nice”. Thanks for sharing!
Hello! Love the article, but I just wanted to let you know that the prices at my costco are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than the prices that you listed. I live in Southern California, so prices may be different here, but I regularly purchase the Costco Kirkland Signature French Vodka for $19.99 (yours is listed at $24.99), and today I purchased the Costco Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum for $14.99 (yours is listed at $19.69), and I saw the Costco Kirkland Signature Canadian Whisky for $18.99 (yours is listed as $27.39). Just thought that this might be helpful for your readers 🙂
Thank you for sharing. Who would have thought that prices in So-Cal would be cheaper than mid-Michigan at the same store for the same product? I do know that a lot of their product is made/imported in to California, so that could have something to do with it.
Literally never comment on anything. Ever. But just have to say,.. Bravo good sir. Bravo. I’m planning a wedding and this is exactly what I was looking for when Googling “Kirkland Liquors.” Regardless of what prices are in anyone’s local region, you’re giving everyone a baseline they couldn’t otherwise get without physically traveling to places. The Cosco site has none of that listed. Well done and thanks for the info
Haha, thanks, that’s why I put this together. Congrats on getting married! Kirkland liquors is a solid foundation for any marriage.