Worst: Kirkland Signature Silver Tequila
Costco carries three store-brand tequilas: Añejo, Silver, and Reposado. The Añejo gets points for being an aged tequila for less than $30 and the Reposado gets rave reviews from those who can get their hands on it, but the Silver falls short compared to its siblings. First of all, its flavor and aroma profiles contain very strong alcohol notes that overpower those of the agave and citrus that make a tequila sip-able. This is the kind of tequila that results in shot face when you take it straight. Sure, sometimes thats all you need but its the type of low quality that gives tequila a bad reputation in some circles.
Lady tequila can be a harsh mistress. But when she is good to you, she is really, really good. If you want to explore all she has to offer it may aid digestion, lower cholesterol, and provide you with a hangover-free morning try the Añejo straight or over ice. If you want to make simple cocktails with your tequila, go with the Reposado. And if you want a cheap silver tequila to make a big batch of sugar-laden margaritas, the Kirkland Signature Silver will do the trick, but its not going to blow you away doing it.
Kirkland Signature Aejo Tequila
Price: $19.99
The internets opinion: Ive never had the pleasure of typing three words that go together as well as these: Ed Hardy Tequila. What does that have to do with Costco tequila? It all goes back to the NOM. As Tequila.net explains, the NOM is a unique identifier on bottles of tequila to let people know that the booze within is authentic. It also tells you which distillery the tequila comes from. One distiller can make multiple brands of tequila, and it just so happens that Kirklands is from the same source as the Ed Hardy Tequila . Other tequila sourced from that distillery includes KAH , Santos, Sol Dios, and Tonala.
The experts opinion: Youd think knowing the NOM would make this easier. It doesnt. Jensen guesses its sourced from Hornitos, but hes more interested in discussing why this añejo is different from others on the shelf. Its not terrible, but its a little hot and thin for an añejo, he says. The fact that its this thin makes me question if theres a diffuser . Its a way of speeding up the process of making tequila, and you end up with a product thats thin and tastes more along the lines of an agave vodka than a tequila. Its missing some of that depth, complexity, and agave flavor. He gives it points for the charred oak and vanilla notes, but says if youre looking to make cocktails with tequila, try a blanco.
Kirkland Signature Cotes De Provence Rose
This is one of the fastest selling Kirkland wines year in and year out. If you see it, stock up right away. This is not one of those Costco surprises that makes a reappearance later. Once its gone, its gone for the year. And it is an amazing rose for the price our average score is 90 points and look for this one in April.
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Costco Kirkland Signature Aejo Tequila
- Price: $27.99
- Proof: 40% alc./vol.
- 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.
Kirkland Signature Pauillac Bordeaux
Its a bummer that we havent seen a new vintage of this amazing wine appear in stores for more than two years. I hope its not gone for good. Please Costco, give us a surprise here. The Kirkland Pauillac Bordeaux is top notch for only $23 and it takes the cake at the top of our ratings with scores of 91 and 92. In the past it has appeared in stores in December-January.
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Is Kirkland Breakfast Blend Coffee Starbucks
Some of the coffee sold under the Kirkland name is actually made by Starbucks. The next time you pick up a 2 1/2 pound bag of Kirklands Signature House Blend Medium Roast, Espresso Blend Dark Roast, and Decaf House Blend Medium Roast, make sure that you check for the Custom Roasted by Starbucks stamp.
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Wx Brands Was The Original Maker Of Kirkland Wine
There are a few names behind various Costco wines, but the original maker of Kirkland wine for Costco is WX Brands. WX Brands was founded in 1999 and now has nine winemakers in California, Europe, and New Zealand.
They also have a bottling facility in Sonoma County, California, but it provides wine to wineries in all corners of the world.
Today, Kirkland wine is made by a variety of different brands, some of them being well-known winemakers and importers.
For example, Kirkland Signature made in California are linked to E& J Gallo Winery, and their wines made in Italy are linked to Ethica Wines.
Some of Kirklands French red wines are linked with Misa Imports, while other port, sherry, and cooking and dessert wines are connected to Kobrands Joto Sake.
Another big brand connected to a Kirkland Signature white wine is Francis Ford Coppolas winery, and a California red wine is connected to the Grove Street Winery.
Costco has several cabernet sauvignon varieties, and it has become one of Kirkland Signatures most popular kinds of wine.
A few of Costcos cabernet sauvignon wines come from the following places:
And this is only just some of Kirkland Signatures cabernet sauvignons!
As mentioned, the Kirkland Signature wine box is made with sustainability in mind to cut down on greenhouse gases and reduce packaging for shipping and merchandising products.
Costco wine boxes are made with the help of Scholle IPN, a company that specializes in creating bag-in-box products.
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Best: Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky
You’re probably asking yourself “how does a company based out of Washington state make a scotch worth drinking?” Well, like cereals in a bag and most other generic products, it’s not Costco that’s actually producing the product. While Costco keeps their lips tight and shut when it comes to who exactly produces many of their liquors, the word on the street is that the manufacturer of this one is Alexander Murray & Co. The Kirkland Original Blended Scotch Whisky has a nice, caramel color and scent notes of vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and of course peat. Flavor-wise, you’ll notice hints of brown sugar, plums, orange, and malt. It’s not overly-complicated rather, it’s a very basic scotch distinguished by its clean drinkability. Overall, Tastings ranks Kirkland Original as an “Exceptional” blended scotch whisky.
Now, is this blended scotch whisky the bottle you should turn to if you’re looking to treat yourself to a high-quality dram on a special occasion? Probably not. But that certainly doesn’t mean that Kirkland Original Blended Scotch Whisky doesn’t have its uses. It’s a great scotch to have on hand if you like a nightly scotch and soda before you hit the hay. It’s also a good option if you want something that’s nice and dry, perfect for your favorite scotch cocktails or mixed into a boozy winter punch. At less than $25 for 1.75 L, you can easily afford to be heavy-handed with this blended scotch whisky.
Fred Meyer Vip Admission
Want the BEST ticket deal around? If you purchase your Tasting Garden ticket at any of the following Fred Meyer locations you will receive an additional 4 wine tasting tokens for the same great price, $30! Tickets are on sale now!Visit the Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond, Bellevue, Renton, Lake City or Bothell store’s customer service desk and ask to purchase your Kirkland Uncorked ticket and get rewarded! Whats on your list today? A Kirkland Uncorked ticket!
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A Wine Blog About Enjoying Wine And Drinking Well For Less
Kirkland Signature Chablis Premier Cru | Top Costco Wines
So there I am, wandering around Costco, surreptitiously updating my popular Guide to Costco Wine, when I spot the fabled unicorn: Costco Kirkland Signature Series Premier Cru Chablis for $14.99 per bottle!
Hailing from Burgundys Northernmost growing region, the Chardonnays produced in Chablis are world-renowned for their tension, energy, and flinty, mineral-driven personalities. The best examples are both delicate and full of energy, but carry a price tag thatll knock the wind out of you. For example, a Google search of yields the following shopping suggestions:
But surely you dont have to spend nearly $200 per bottle to get a respectable bottle of Premier Cru Chablis. According to Wine-searcher, the price averages a far more reasonable $44 per bottle. But to the majority of consumers not used to lofty Burgundy prices, thats still a lot of money for a bottle of Chardonnay so I had to put the surprisingly affordable Kirkland Signature Series Premier Cru to the test
Appearance:Medium yellow with flecks of gold.
Nose: The nose reveals fragrant aromas of apple blossoms and lemon oil against a backdrop of subtle citrus.
Vintage: 2014
Where to get it: The Costco Wine Section.
Price: $14.99
Score: 88
Value Proposition Kirkland Signature Series Premier Cru Chablis | Top Costco Wines
Where Are Some Of The Wineries Kirkland Works With
Some of the known wineries that Costco works with are in Sonoma Valley, Washington, Napa Valley, France, and Argentina.
Costco is actually the biggest purchaser of Bordeaux wines, which is famous for churning out some of the best wine you will ever taste.
Costco also offers brut and champagne under their own Kirkland Signature label that is sourced from Champagne de Bruyne in France.
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Highly Recommended Kirkland Signature Wines
Perhaps it was the day, the afternoon sunshine, or the camaraderie of the group meeting for the first time since the Pandemic. We toasted with the Kirkland Prosseco to begin our afternoon of wine and fun. What a treat to have a refreshing sparkling wine to toast our reunion. The price is $6.99. Delicious!
The 2019 Kirkland Signature Sancerre is a delicious and tasty 100% Sauvignon Blanc wine. It is aromatic and lively, with great balance of acidity and fresh taste. The wine is a great choice for light dinner meals. It will match with shrimp salads, pan-fried fish, and baked chicken. Keep the heavy sauces out, and this is a dream wine with food. The price is $15.79
The Kirkland Carneros Pinot Noir 2019 Vintage was the overall scoring leader among the nine of us. This Pinot Noir has true Pinot Noir characteristics: light and fruity, with spice and delicate flavors. This a Pinot Noir with traditional Pinot flavors, much like Burgundian Pinot Noir. Past vintages have not been this tasty. $9.99. Perfect with the Costco Salmon Milano with Pesto Butter.
The 2018 Kirkland Old Vine Sonoma Zinfandel is an excellent choice for those who love the spicy and jammy flavors of a well-made Zinfandel. Often Zins are too robust to enjoy those characteristics, but this one is medium bodied. The price is $9.99. Tim Fish, Wine Spectator Critic, gave this wine 88 Points. Good call!
Kirkland Signature California Chardonnay
13.5%, $7.99 for 1.5 liter
Owen: Its unclear where the wine comes from, although the label notes its cellared and bottled by DC Flynt MW Selections in Modesto, California. This edition comes off slightly better than the last vintage, with less cloying notes alongside orchard fruit flavors. While this is exceedingly cheap, you can do better in the $7 range without suffering a headache the next morning. Drink 2021-2024. Verdict: Not recommended.
Tan: Drink 2021-2024? How about drink never. Owen, you ready for the hate mail? People love Costcos 1.5 liter Chard, and they let me have it when we dis it every year. I dont get why Costco shoppers love this so much. The wine hearkens back to those California Cooler drinks from the 80s, and its a lot hotter than the posted 13.5% alcohol. Verdict: Not recommended.
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How Much Is A Bottle Of Vodka At Costco
Vodka enthusiasts say this is why Costcos Kirkland bottle tastes so good. It has frequently defeated Grey Goose in blind tastings despite being a third of the price: Costcos 1.75-liter French vodka costs $19.99, while you can expect to pay about $60 for the same-size bottle of Grey Goose, which is owned by Bacardi.
Costco Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky
- Price: $22.99
- Proof: 40% alc./vol.
- 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.
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The Price Tag May Be Cheap But The Quality Might Shock You
Its no secret that robots make the best pizza at Costco, and that the robot revolution will start when the pizza androids finally decide to revolt. But there’s one secret the retailer doesnt want you to know: Which companies are making all of its deliciously affordable Kirkland booze? If youve ever shopped for inexpensive gin, vodka, tequila, or other spirits at Costco, youve probably wondered the same thing.
You could search this free Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau database to find out which importer/producer the booze is sourced from, but its complicated, just like that Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin movie. Many brands have multiple distilleries, and can make private label booze. While we can’t definitively say what the answers are, we wanted to give you two educated opinions: the general internet consensus and the thoughts of Stuart Jensen, a longtime bartender extraordinaire and co-owner of Denvers Curio Bar.
Read this handy guide on who makes seven of these best-selling spirits for Costco, and if theyre worth your hard-earned money. If you think Kirkland just pours Grey Goose into a vodka bottle, well, you might not be too far off.
Costco Wine The 2021 Guide To The Best Wines At Costco
Costco® is the number one wine retailer in the U.S. and just one look at their low wine prices should tell you why! Read on for our Complete Guide to Costco Wine.
The reason for those low prices is simply the tremendously slim margin Costco takes thanks to their membership model. Basically they make their money on membership fees allowing them to keep product prices, including those on wine , very low. Their selection isn’t the broadest but they do tend to bring in some very nice wines from all over the world , especially in the under $20 price point.
While most of the Costco wines are available elsewhere keep your eyes out for deals on lesser-known labels as well. Inventory of wines will vary by market and even by store within a market so at times you can find some low production wines available in an individual store. Also in some states you don’t even need a membership to shop the store!
Want our FREE special report “The Five Wines to Buy At Costco RIGHT NOW” plus a printable shopping list of all our recommended Costco wines?
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Kirkland Signature Ctes Du Rhne Villages
14.5%, $6.99
Owen: This 2019 was made by Patrick Lesec. A blend of mourvdre, syrah and grenache, the wine shows off high-toned guava and orange rind tones that combine with white pepper dusted bacon on the palate. The palate is fresh with lovely garrigue notes alongside a core of medium-bodied dark fruit flavors. While this says 14.5% alcohol, my guess is it rings in at closer to 15%. Drink 2021-2025. Verdict: Highly recommended.
Tan: But Owen, I thought this wine was crafted well enough that consumers wont notice how hot it is. Ive had so many glasses of Côtes du Rhône at restaurants priced at $18-$20, and none were as good as this. I had to check my receipt to be sure. Yep. The. Bottle. Is. Only. $6.99. The bad news: the Costco by Alderwood mall in Lynnwood was the only Seattle-area store that had any bottles left. Verdict: Highly recommended.
Best: Kirkland Signature Xo Cognac
What in the heckin’ heck does the “XO” in XO cognac even stand for? Well, as it turns out it means “extra old,” which kind of makes sense considering that Kirkland Signature XO Cognac is one of the pricier Costco liquors to make it to the list at a healthy average price of $50 for 750 mL, though that price may vary by location. However, compare that price tag to the minimum $130 for 750 mL you’ll pay for another bottle of XO. To be considered “XO,” the youngest cognac in the blend must be aged at least 10 years with the average age of all the individual liquors running 20 years or older. The result is a sweet and slightly spicy liquor that pairs well with cigars and is best served straight or, at most, with a couple of ice cubes.
It’s flavor is “very light, very floral” with just a hint of spice on the end and enough notes to tell you that you’re drinking a rich, complex cognac for the money. Kirkland Signature XO Cognac received a “Highly Recommended” rating from Tastings with an 89 point rating that is just shy of “Exceptional” status. If you want to make this bargain bottle feel fancier when you sip it, store it in a nice liquor decanter and no one will know the difference. Grab it when you see it though this one is often only available during the holidays.
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