Here’s Which Distillery Is Behind Every Bottle of Kirkland Booze

Costco’s private label, Kirkland Signature, has long been the subject of our devotion here at Sporked. We love so many of their products, from Costco’s frozen pizzas to Kirkland’s chocolate cake and even their tender smoked pulled pork. The list truly goes on (and on and on). 

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But one area we probably don’t talk enough about is Costco’s booze, which shoppers consistently praise for its quality and affordability. Our alcohol taste tests, like the best cheap liquor, typically adhere to an “under $20” rule—and if we can nab a bottle of Kirkland booze for under that price point, they almost always make the ranking. Case in point: our cheap Tequila ranking, where Kirkland’s Reposado ($18) earned our #2 spot, and our cheap Gin ranking, where Kirkland London Dry Gin ($20) sits nice and pretty as our #1. 

To be clear, unlike their hot dogs, Costco doesn’t make their own booze. They have contracts with leading distilleries and manufacturers that produce the alcohol for Costco’s private label. Vinepair went through the trouble of compiling and verifying distilleries that Costco uses—so for those curious about where Kirkland Signature really gets its spirits, keep reading! 

Vodka

Once upon a time, a rumor floated around that Kirkland Signature’s Five Times Distilled Vodka was actually just Grey Goose repackaged. Of course, Grey Goose, being French and famous, found this insulting and put out a statement debunking it for themselves. The real producer is Gayant Distillery in Douai, France. Seems close enough, if you ask me. 

Costco also offers an American vodka, which is made by Fairmont Ltd (a subsidiary of the LeVecke Beverage Group), based in California. At my local Costco in Los Angeles, Kirkland Signature American Vodka is priced at $16.69, while Five Times Distilled is $24.99. Perhaps it’s worth a side-by-side taste test on our end to see if the French really do it better? I’ll keep that in mind…

Tequila

All of Costco’s current tequila can be traced back to the same place: Santa Lucia Distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. This distillery also makes tequila for El Destilador, Newton, Los Corrales, some Azteca varieties, and much more. 

Gin 

Don’t be fooled. Kirkland Signature’s “London Dry Gin” isn’t made across the pond. It’s from a U.S. producer called Tennessee Distilling, located in the small but historic city of Columbia, TN. It’s no Tennessee Whiskey, but it is our #1 best gin you can buy for under $20, per our most recent taste test. Our editor-in-chief Justine Sterling called it a dupe for Tanqueray that really “punches above its weight” in terms of quality and value. Costco shoppers, you win again with this one. 

Whiskey

Kirkland Signature’s Irish Whiskey is imported by MISA Imports and, according to Food Republic, comes from manufacturer Terra Spirits & Liqueurs, based in Bailieborough, Ireland. (I’m getting wanderlust just looking at the word “Bailieborough.”) It’s aged four years in wooden casks—Irish law mandates all Irish whiskey sold have to mature in wooden casks for three years minimum (that’s badass, Ireland)—so for its $30 price point, you’re really getting something authentic. 

Costco’s Canadian Whisky is imported through LeVecke Beverage Group (the same parent company of their American Vodka), but we actually still don’t know who produces it. Costco doesn’t always reveal the distilleries it uses. People loved to theorize it was Crown Royal—or at least produced in the same place as Crown Royal—but that’s totally unconfirmed. Go ahead, Costco. Keep your secrets. The truth always comes out eventually…

Bourbon

No mystery here: Kirkland Signature Kentucky Straight Bourbon is made by Barton Master Distillers at the Barton 1792 distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. It’s literally on every bottle. We haven’t tried it for ourselves, but when someone named the Bourbon Guy calls it “a great everyday bourbon that also happens to also be overproof,” I’ve got a good feeling it’s worth the $20-$30 price point. In Bourbon Guy we trust. 

Scotch

Alexander Murray & Co. Ltd is the bottler behind every Kirkland Signature Scotch. Per Vinepair’s original article, this manufacturer “even lists Costco as a client on its Private Label page.” We thank you for your transparency, Alexander. That makes our jobs much easier. Moving on!

Rum

Last but not least, my go-to spirit of choice: Costco rum, which comes from various producers in South America and the Caribbean. Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum is produced by Sazerac in Puerto Rico. Costco’s aged rums are imported by MISA Imports and likely come from two producers: Auténtico Nativo (located in Panama) and 1731 Fine & Rare (found throughout the Caribbean and South America). 

And yeah, I’m a rum girl. This should not be surprising. I’m from Florida. I was raised on Piña Coladas and sea shanties. Now if you’ll excuse me, I suddenly need to go to Costco for… reasons. Bye!!