Nothing soothes the stress of the day like a stiff martini, and you can save money by keeping your home bar stocked with the essentials, such as Costco-brand vodka. Costco’s store-label vodka has earned quite a reputation.

However, you may be wondering what that reputation is for. If so, here are 15 things to know before buying Costco vodka!

1. Costco Vodka Sells Under the Kirkland Signature Label

Costco beats most grocery store prices on name brands, but they do one better with their store brand, Kirkland Signature.

Even Costco vodka is packaged under the Kirkland Signature label, but don’t mistake “generic” for “inferior.”

Most people will tell you that Costco’s Kirkland Signature label items are just as good as, or in many cases, better than, the pricier name brands, which is especially true when discussing Costco vodka.

2. Costco Vodka Comes in two Varieties

While the retailer sells 10 different kinds of whiskeys, Costco-brand vodka is available only in two varieties: Blue Label vodka and American vodka.

However, the company also stocks the Red Label/French vodka (the names are derived from the coloring of some of the letters on the label).

In stores, the boxes are prominently blue or red, making it a lot easier to grab a bottle and go if you’re in a hurry.

3. Costco Vodka is Super Affordable

If you’re building up your home bar or buying for a party, Costco vodka is affordable and a good selection.

Costco’s domestic/American vodka is $12.99 per 1.75L, while the French vodka is $19.99 for the same amount.

That’s bottom-shelf pricing for spirits that, as you will find out, can compete with top-shelf booze.

Next, compared to the Red/French label, a 1.75L bottle of Tito’s (always an excellent choice) sells for $35.99 in some areas. Smirnoff, another popular choice, is $25.99.

Absolut Vodka costs about $34.99, while the comparable Grey Goose costs $59.99. Additionally, for the Blue/Domestic label vodka, budget brands like Burnett’s charge $14.99, while Vladimir costs $13.49.

The one vodka brand priced below Costco’s Blue label is Banker’s Club, at $12.95, but the quality is not considered as high.

4. You’re Going to Get a Ton Of Costco Vodka For the Price                            

Whether you go for Red-label or Blue-label vodka at Costco, you’re receiving 1.75L per bottle.

That equals about half a gallon, a little over seven cups of liquid, or nearly 60 fluid ounces!

5. You Might Get a Good Deal On Costco Vodka

The author over at Costco Fan noted that occasionally, the Costco Blue Label (domestic) vodka, which is already a steal at $13, will go on sale for $10.

That’s an entire handle of vodka for one Hamilton, and while Blue Label doesn’t quite live up to the quality of Costco’s French vodka, it’s still more than adequate.

6. Red Label Costco Vodka Regularly Tops Critics’ Best Lists

In a much-quoted blind taste test at The Kitchn.com, the author and two bartenders sat down to try six different vodkas, two of which were Costco vodkas.

The French vodka came out on top, beating out Ketel One and Grey Goose. The reviewers stated that Costco French vodka was “silky” and “supple.”

In a video for Buzzfeed, pairs of taste testers were challenged to guess which shot contained Costco’s vodka and which contained the much pricier Grey Goose, and most could not tell which vodka brand they were drinking.

7. Blue Label Costco Vodka Doesn’t Fare Well

The consensus among customers is that Costco’s Blue label vodka is less spectacular than its Red label sister spirit, though it is nonetheless a good buy.

Commenters on the site Distiller.com call this vodka “totally forgettable,” “a bit harsh,” and “not an ultra-refined vodka.”

However, most reviewers tended to pair that with a comparable compliment, like saying it’s still “totally passable,” “a solid workhorse for mixing,” and commenting on the price.

Overall, the verdict for the Blue label is that if you’re looking for something ultra-affordable to mix or buying for quantity instead of quality, this Costco vodka is a good choice.

8. Is Costco Vodka Grey Goose? Probably Not

The rumors persist that Costco Blue label vodka is actually Grey Goose, just in different bottles.

Grey Goose has vehemently denied this rumor,  and while you can’t always trust the word of a significant distilling company, in this case, they’re likely telling the truth.

The first major reason is taste, as Costco vodka from the Blue label tends to receive higher marks than Grey Goose for flavor.

Mashed also unearthed Costco’s Certificate of Label Approval for its entire line of Kirkland-label liquors.

The sole producer of Kirkland Signature spirits is the LeVecke Corporation, out of Mira Loma, California.

Grey Goose, meanwhile, is famously made in France and is a member of the Bacardi family of brands, which is the distributor of Grey Goose.

9. Costco Vodka Shares Something In Common With Grey Goose

Some similarities that have led people to think Costco vodka is Grey Goose in disguise may exist because of a common trait between the two.

The water used in Grey Goose and Costco Red label/French vodka is sourced from Gensac Springs in the Cognac region of France, though it is then distilled in different locations about 500 miles apart.

10. French Costco Vodka May be Bottled in California

Sources aren’t clear on what happens to the French Costco vodka once distilled in France, but it’s likely transported to the LeVecke company in California.

That’s because this company handles imports, bottling, private labels, and distribution.

11. Costco Vodka is Distilled Six Times

The primer on distilling from VinePair explains that distilling is how alcohol is purified, leaving behind any nasty bits that have entered into the ingredients.

Many vodkas bear the label “triple-distilled,” but Costco’s Blue/domestic label vodka claims to be distilled six times for maximum purity.

12. Some Costco Vodka Might be Distilled and Bottled in California

The Mira Loma could be the distillery location for the Costco domestic vodka. While distilling isn’t mentioned on the company website, the LeVecke company is nonetheless the sole producer listed on Costco’s liquor certificate.

13. You Can Buy Brand Names in Addition to Costco Vodka

Costco has an impressive selection of liquors in stock, and their vodka section isn’t limited to just Kirkland Signature.

You can find brand names, like Belvedere, Grey Goose, and Ciroc, for 20 to 30 percent cheaper than liquor stores.

The trade-off, however, is that you are usually investing in a big 1.75L bottle, so only shop for liquor at Costco if you intend to stock up.

14. You Can Buy Costco Vodka Without a Membership

Like all of Costco’s liquors, you can buy vodka without membership in some states, including the following:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New York
• Texas
• Vermont

Note that, while legally allowed, not all associates may be aware of this non-member perk, so it’s recommended that you be considerate in case of a confused employee.

15. Have Your Costco Vodka Delivered

In some other states, you can have your Costco vodka delivered as part of your grocery order, including the following states:

• California
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• North Carolina
• Ohio