What Company Makes Costco's Kirkland Brand Vodka?
Costco has a bit of a cult following, with devotees of the members-only wholesale club swearing by their in-house selections. From their much-loved Kirkland brand bottled water to their food court hotdogs and pizza slices, there is nothing that Costco can't produce (and in bulk). But one of the most beguiling and beloved of their products is their Kirkland brand vodka. One of the store's most popular products, Kirkland brand vodka, is also the subject of one of Costco's most persistent rumors. For many years, word has spread that Kirkland brand vodka is manufactured by none other than Grey Goose.
However, this is simply not the case. Even so, rumors have persisted to the point that Grey Goose had to post a thorough debunking of the rampant speculation, indicating that they are not, in fact, the brand behind Kirkland's clear spirit. And though Costco is relatively tight-lipped regarding many of the brands behind their Kirkland label, there are a few things that we do know about Kirkland vodka.
For one, Costco has yet to reveal the exact brand behind Kirkland vodka. However, we do know that Kirkland vodka is bottled by Gayant Distillery in Douai, France. Beyond this, Kirkland vodka is transported from France to Costco locations by the LeVecke Corporation, one of the largest producers of spirits globally.
A vodka that gets your goose
And though we know that Kirkland brand vodka is not made by Grey Goose, the core of these rumors reveals the quality level behind Kirkland's vodka. Grey Goose is one of the best vodkas on the market right now, after all. And Kirkland vodka has bested the brand in several blind taste tests.
Kirkland vodka, like many Kirkland products, has a cult following among Costco members, with many shoppers praising the spirit's clean, high-quality taste. And it doesn't hurt that Costco's Kirkland products are often much more affordable than their name-brand counterparts. Its relatively low price point offers yet another benefit to Kirkland brand vodka and Kirkland brand products in general. Beyond its low price point, Kirkland brand vodka is also, like many of Costco's offerings, sold in bulk sizes, combining quality with quantity to give customers the most bang for their buck while also providing the best possible quality product.
Something in the vodka
But this is not to say that Costco's Kirkland brand vodka is without fault. In fact, in 2023, the cult favorite product was the subject of some controversy among Costco customers. Users on Reddit complained about the vodka's change in taste, calling out its "horrible" odor and taste. In response to these complaints, Costco wound up pulling their Kirkland brand vodka sold between June 12th, 2023, and August 10, 2023, from their shelves. Additionally, the retailer offered refunds to customers who purchased the vodka during this time.
No official cause for the vodka's change in taste and smell was revealed, however. But Costco is still selling its Kirkland brand vodka, and the change in taste and smell in the product appears to have been a temporary blip. Luckily, Kirkland vodka remains one of the brand's most popular products, and now we're one step closer to knowing who to thank for the cult favorite item.