Kirkland Vodka
Now I live in a state that heavily controls hard liquor sales - everything other than beer and wine, so I won’t have first hand knowledge of this report and I’ll be relying on those of you in more lenient states to add any comments or information you might have.
Having said that, it looks like Costco is getting into the spirits industry! I’m guessing that in some states they already sell name-brand liquor in their warehouses but now they have their own label! In an article in the most recent Costco Connection titled “The Water of Life”, they are introducing their latest offering in the Kirkland Signature line of products, a vodka. Made in Cognac, France with wheat from northern France, this new spirit is described as having hints of citrus and vanilla.
Now I have no reason to doubt this article or the quality of the vodka. In fact, perhaps just the opposite. I often purchase things like Kirkland brand olive oil and balsamic vinegar and have been very happy with it. In an article he wrote a couple years ago Greg Atkinson, a local and highly respected chef, talks about the Kirkland products and why he likes them. So all past experience would lead me to believe this is going to be a quality product.
And, although they don’t list the exact price - I imagine it may vary a bit in different areas - they do say it is less than $30 for a 1.75 liter bottle. At that price it would certainly be worth checking out! If you live in a state where hard liquor sales are permitted at your local Costco warehouse please check it out and let us know what you think!
Hurray! Hopefully this signals that Costco is going to ramp up the volume on their attempt to open up the liquor industry. Here in WA, with our state-owned liquor monopoly product availability can be extremely problematic. At the moment, Plymouth gin is virtually out-of-stock throughout the entire state. With the folks at the liquor stores just shrugging their shoulders and saying “we just sell what they send us.”