Vodka enthusiasts say this is why Costco's Kirkland bottle tastes so good. It has frequently defeated Grey Goose in blind tastings despite being a third of the price: Costco's 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.
For those unfamiliar with the Costco vodkas, the simplest way to differentiate between the two is by comparing them to their more well-known counterparts. The French vodka is commonly likened to Grey Goose, while the American version is said to mimic Tito's.
Vodka comes in different variants and flavors. There is no clear difference between expensive and cheap vodka. The difference lies in good and bad quality spirits. Even if expensive vodkas are made the wrong way, they could produce the same unpleasant taste.
Grey goose was created to create a false premium on vodka. It is way too expensive for how it tastes and there are a lot of cheaper vodkas that blow it out of the water. Grey Goose was created as a result." It was made for us and given it's so called premium status through the magic of marketing.
Buy: Kirkland Signature French VodkaNamed by many online reviewers as the single best deal at Costco period, The Kitchn's panel of industry experts ranked it as their favorite vodka in a blind taste test with premium name-brands, noting it's "sweet and bright" flavor.
"Kirkland Signature" is Costco's private label. Costco introduced Kirkland Signature as its private label in 1992, deriving the name from the location of Costco's then corporate headquarters, Kirkland, Washington (their headquarters later moved, roughly 12 miles (19 km), to Issaquah, Washington).
Luckily, Punch was able to uncover the fact that Kirkland's Canadian whiskey is made by Crown Royal and their bourbon by George Dickel (although it had previously been manufactured by Jim Beam).
Some people swear by one brand or another, but there is a federal law that requires all vodkas to be pretty much the same, so the Planet Money team decided to test them.
Kirkland Signature American Vodka is the Costco label vodka. It's "distilled six times" from an undisclosed base or distillery.
"I wouldn't be surprised by this at all," business development and marketing consultant Dorian Smith-Garcia told Parade regarding Costco leggings being made by the same manufacturer as Lululemon. Smith-Garcia said it's a fairly common practice, but most high-end brands would never admit to it.
Potato Vodka Brands
- Karlsson's Gold Vodka. This Sweedish potato vodka is fairly unique among its peers.
- Woody Creek Colorado Vodka. US residents should have no problems getting their hands on this all-American potato vodka.
- Vesica Vodka.
- Claremont Vodka.
- Grand Teton Potato Vodka.
- Luksusowa Vodka.
- Chopin Vodka.
- Cape Cod Vodka.
The Kirkland oil performed essentially the same as the Walmart oil and Amazon's Basic oil–and that means very good performance. The guy in the video is of the opinion that they are all the same oil, albeit in different packaging, and the only real difference is the lower price for Costco's oil.
Belvedere is not only more nuanced, but it is MUCH, MUCH less expensive than Grey Goose. As far as Polish vodkas go, it is itself nowhere near the best. Chopin Wheat is to Grey Goose what Pappy van Winkle 20 yr bourbon is to Jack Daniel's - AND it is (still) less expensive. Belvedere.
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 Kirkland's 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.
For the most part, you will see Bud Light and Coors Light, along with variety packs from the big craft brewers - Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, and the Blue Moon label. You will likely also see some Mexican beer - Corona and Pacifico (though I'm from Southern California, I don't know if the same holds true in say, Ohio).
We guess and hope that, since it's American, it is made from a base of corn grain (as opposed to the French version, which is wheat).
Kirkland Silver Signature Tequila
Spirits are taxed the least in Wyoming and New Hampshire, where government-run stores have set prices low enough that they are comparable to having no taxes on spirits. Following Wyoming and New Hampshire are Missouri ($2.00), Colorado ($2.28), Texas ($2.40), and Kansas ($2.50).
Ordering alcoholInstacart offers alcohol delivery from select Costco warehouses. You can check availability in your area with the app or website. Customers must be 21 or older to order alcohol items and provide an approved photo ID showing their birthdate at delivery.
Grey Goose is a go-to vodka for many drinkers. You will rarely be disappointed as it is one of the most mixable vodkas you can find, and it is everywhere. This is a French vodka is distilled from French wheat in a five-column process, which imparts a subtle sweetness.
Kirkland SignatureThis label, familiar to Costco shoppers, is actually the company's house brand and a Costco subsidiary. It produces dozens of products under the Kirkland Signature brand name, including groceries and packaged food items.
There are a lot of expensive well-known vodkas out there that out-price Tito's, but spending around $20 is a safe bet since you know that you're paying a good amount for good quality vodka. Its price can normally be found at $19.99 for 750ml and $33.33 for 1.75ml.
