13 Popular Kirkland Liquors At Costco, Ranked By Online Reviews

If you aren't buying Kirkland Signature spirits from Costco, you're missing out. After all: just because it says "Kirkland" on the bottle doesn't mean it isn't a name brand. The bottled liquor is often incredibly similar to your beloved Grey Goose or Crown Royal bottle. Plus, since it contains many of the same ingredients, is made similarly with an eye towards quality, and is low cost, well ... why wouldn't you give it a try?

Thousands of Costco members are happily sipping Kirkland Signature spirits. The numbers don't lie, after all. The data showed Costco sold over $4 billion worth of alcohol in 2018, with sales jumping to $5 billion by 2020. Quite an impressive climb considering that of the thousands of products Costco sells, only around 20 are liquor products sold under the Kirkland Signature label. Since Costco is not a producer, the company sources its signature spirits from outside distilleries. But it only uses high-quality, custom labels created to its specifications and aims to provide a similar product to the recognized labels we love at a more affordable price.

Of course, not all Kirkland Signature spirits are equal. Based on online reviews from critics and consumers, our own experience with several products on this list, and several other factors (like cost), we ranked some popular Kirkland Signature liquors. This way, you'll know which bottles are worth adding to your bar cart — and which to avoid.

The tequila and mezcal market has been one of the fastest-growing spirits categories in the United States over the past few years. The two alcohols are often categorized together as they're both crafted in Mexico from the sugars of agave plants. The Kirkland Signature Silver Tequila bottle states it's made from 100% blue agave distilled and filtered twice for smoothness.

However, numerous consumers have noted that the brand's silver tequila contains a vegetal and medicinal bite — which makes the liquor particularly unpleasant when sipped solo. To be fair, that spiritous sting reveals itself in several other liquors produced under the Kirkland Signature label. But it's especially prevalent in its silver tequila.

While the silver tequila should have subtle notes of roasted agave, fresh flowers, and pepper, this store-bought tequila brand leads with alcohol. It may be generally inexpensive (which helped it beat out Kirkland Signature's spiced rum for second-to-last place). But if you purchase a bottle, do so solely to mix with your evening cocktails.

We'll admit the appreciation of Kirkland Signature's gin is subject to each palate. Every gin contains signature flavors, after all, which often consist of some combination of juniper berries, herbs, florals and botanicals, citrus, or fruit. But there are hundreds of options within these broad categories. Apple to berry, lemon to orange, fresh mint to dried mint — virtually every flavor combination imaginable exists. Of course, while determining the best gin depends on each consumer's preference, you still want to ensure the quality is there.

Now, rumors suggest Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin is made by either Tanqueray or Gordon's — two highly regarded London gin producers. Along those lines, the Kirkland Signature's gin has received high marks in the past, including a 2018 silver medal from Tastings. However, reviews on Reddit in early 2021 from loyal Kirkland Signature London Gin drinkers say it had become undrinkable. Some noted the gin contained piney, acrid, and rose bush flavors (none of which are enjoyable).

Like many other Kirkland liquor options, its London Dry Gin is affordable (roughly $25 for a 1.75-liter bottle as of March 2024 depending on the location. Still, go ahead and spend a few extra dollars on the good stuff. It isn't as bad as the brand's three lower-ranked bottles. But it can't best the nine higher-ranked options, either. If you're a dry martini fan, you'll thank us for dodging this bottle.

A signature spirit of Scotland, Scotch whisky (which omits the "e" used in whiskey) is produced in the country — often in either Speyside or Islay. Scotch whisky makers from Islay use peat soil when drying the barley used to make Scotch whisky. Peat gives this whisky style its specific wet, smoky, earthy quality. The flavor characteristics of peat are found in every bottle of Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky, lending a forest floor and damp athletic sock aroma to the spirit.

An 80 proof spirit, Kirkland's blended Scotch is relatively thin and lacks complexity, with a musty, loamy bouquet. At best, it's similar to Dewar's White Label. This earthiness leads to candied apple and dried fruit flavors that produce an unexpected sweetness on the palate. However, it lacks the texture and density you would hope for in Scotch. Critics agree this bottle produces the distinct (and expected) peat note along with oak, likely from a short period of barrel aging and the heated bite of alcohol.

Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky isn't bad by any means, but it does belong in the lower hald of our rankings. If you buy this, your best bet is to add it to your cocktails instead of sipping it straight.

Irish cream liqueur is whiskey, cream, and sugar. What's not to like about that? Add some ice and stir it into your cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and soon you'll be doing an Irish jig. Thankfully, Kirkland Signature Irish Cream Liqueur is good — and we're not alone in that opinion. The liqueur is reminiscent of more well-known, high-end cream liqueurs, with a velvet finish and melding quality that benefits your drink. Some even believe it may be better than popular brands like Bailey's, with one Reddit reviewer in 2019 describing it as "the cream of the gods." 

Kirkland Signature Irish Cream Liqueur combines layers of chocolate, hazelnut, and caramel within a thick texture. But as it turns out, there are two versions of Kirkland's dreamy Irish cream liqueur. One version has 17% alcohol and is made with Irish whiskey (similar to the production of traditional Irish cream liqueur like Bailey's). The other is a wine-based liqueur with 13.9% alcohol marketed as Kirkland Signature Irish Country Cream. The latter is slightly sweeter than the whiskey-based offering, but reviews say both are worth purchasing — and we agree. Hence, it comes in at sixth place on this list.

The style and character of Canadian whisky distinguish it from neighboring styles to the south. Though similar to American bourbon whiskey (with the "e")— they both use a significant quantity of corn in the production. However, Canadian whisky has always contained a high percentage of rye, which is responsible for creating its signature flavor. The most popular brand of Canadian whisky is Crown Royal, which happens to be one of the top-tasting whiskey brands out there. Fortunately, Kirkland Signature Blended Canadian Whisky shares comparable characteristics and flavors to the famed Canadian brand.

It's full but not paunchy and doesn't bite so much as it boldly presents. Kirkland Signature Canadian Whisky is a solid option if you're a fan of whiskey from north of the border. Oak-cask aged for six years, the whisky integrates vanilla, cinnamon, clove spice, and toffee. Add that it costs a fraction of the named brand options (roughly half as much as a bottle of Crown Royal), and we consider this a qualified choice for any bar cart. Some may find it a little thin and dry (hence it can't crack our top three Kirkland Signature liquors). Still, most agree that if you're a Canadian whisky fan, this is a solid option at a good price.

Over the years, many have speculated whether Kirkland Signature French Vodka is the same as Grey Goose. It's not — though there are similarities. Kirkland Signature and Grey Goose come from the same Cognac region in France and share the same water source (the Gensac Spring). This water source is important, as water is an essential ingredient in the production of the spirit. Adding water reduces the alcohol by volume of vodka after distillation, bringing the level from mid-70% to 40% (or the minimum to be sold as vodka in America).

Using the most pristine water will create a completely neutral spirit, which is the goal for many vodka distillers. Despite being similar, Grey Goose executives adamantly deny its vodka is found in Kirkland Signature's bottles. For one thing, Grey Goose claims to use a private well from the Gensac Spring that's not shared with Costco's vodka.

However, the brands are very alike in flavor. Each has a clean, soft palate and subtle taste — and some even prefer Kirkland Signature over Grey Goose when compared side-by-side. Aside from a comparable style and taste, Costco's brand costs drastically less than Grey Goose. So be sure to pick up a bottle — with the red label versus the blue label, as red signifies the French variety — the next time you're at Costco. It may not have taken the top spot, but Kirkland's French vodka is a fantastic option.

While we've personally sampled several Kirkland Signature liquor products included on this list (as well as several that are no longer widely available at Costco stores), we largely relied on online reviews when assembling the rankings. We first compiled a list of popular and widely-sold Kirkland Signature spirit varieties, then established our ranking of the selections.

In addition to online reviews from customers on various websites and social media, we considered critic reviews (mainly professional) from a variety of different experts and sources. Additional factors taken into consideration when ranking Kirkland brand liquors included the cost (particularly in comparison to similar popular liquor brands) and the general availability of each variety at numerous Costco stores.