Costco Vodka Battle: Kirkland Signature French Vodka Vs American
Kirkland Signature Vodka at Costco
When it comes to shopping for liquor and in particular vodka, Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand has made quite the name for itself by offering quality alcohol at literally unbeatable prices.
The Kirkland Signature Liquor brand as a whole is highly regarded, but the Kirkland Signature French Vodka is considered the jewel in the crown.
The origin of the French Vodka is shrouded in mystery, adding an air of intrigue to an already high quality, high value liquor. However, let’s not overlook the Kirkland Signature American Vodka counterpart as that too deserves a spot in your home bar.
From origins to flavor profiles, we’ll delve into the Ultimate Battle of Costco Kirkland Signature French and American Vodkas, examining the pros/cons, and all you need to know about each.
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Kirkland Signature American Vodka
Costco American Vodka is an excellent choice for cocktail fans seeking a reliable vodka option. Crafted with precision and care, the Kirkland Signature American Vodka boasts a smooth and versatile flavor profile that makes it the perfect choice for mixed drinks.
Affordable yet high in quality, it has gained popularity for its exceptional value and reliability, making it a go-to choice among vodka enthusiasts.
Costco American Vodka Flavor Profile
The American Vodka presents a clean and crisp flavor profile. Its neutral character allows for a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Savor the subtle hints of sweetness with a pleasant warmth, making it a versatile choice for mixing in a variety of cocktails or enjoying on its own.
Name Brand Alternative For Costco Kirkland Signature American Vodka
As an American vodka made from high quality American corns, Kirkland Signature American Vodka, naturally invites comparison to Tito’s Handmade Vodka, which is widely regarded as one of the most popular American vodkas.
Both offer a testament to the excellence of American craftsmanship. With their shared use of American Corn as a base, Costco’s American Vodka and Tito’s Handmade Vodka showcase the rich flavors and smoothness that can be achieved with this key ingredient.
I’ve heard some fans of the Kirkland Signature American Vodka go as far as referring to it as “Tito’s Jr”
Costco American Vodka Price
Costco Kirkland Signature American Vodka shines as an exceptional option when it comes to affordability. The American Vodka offers an unbeatable value at an incredible Costco price of $12.99 for the 1.75L bottle.
You are not going to find a better combination of price and quality anywhere. (Except for maybe with the Kirkland Signature French Vodka)
Costco Cost Comparison - Vodka
Since the Kirkland Signature American Vodka draws significant comparisons to Tito’s Handmade Vodka, it’s only fair to showcase their price difference. As mentioned, the Kirkland American Vodka is priced at $12.99, while Tito’s Handmade Vodka sells for $26.49.
At half the price, Kirkland Signature American Vodka offers exceptional value and is an excellent alternative to the name brand Tito’s.
Who Make's Kirkland Signature American Vodka?
Typically, I don’t go too deep into who is behind Kirkland Signature brands, but because of the uniqueness and mystery regarding Costco’s Kirkland Signature French Vodka, I’ll talk a little about the producer of the American Vodka.
You can look at the back of the vodka bottle to see that it is produced and bottled by Fairmont LTD in Mira Loma, CA.
Fairmont is a trade name of Levecke Corporation and a quick google search confirms the producer of Kirkland Signature’s American Vodka to be Levecke Corp.
Best Uses of Costco American Vodka
While the American vodka may not be the top choice for sipping neat, it excels as a versatile base for mixed drinks and cocktails. It has a clean and smooth profile I like creating refreshing vodka-based beverages such as martinis, cosmopolitans, and vodka tonics with it.
At only $12.99 a bottle, Kirkland Signature American vodka is a reliable option for those looking to craft delicious and crowd-pleasing cocktails. It’s my go-to bottle when I’m having a casual drink at home and I don’t see a reason not to keep it stocked.
Costco Kirkland Signature French Vodka
Costco Kirkland Signature American Vodka is a mighty fine vodka, but the Costco French Vodka is a whole different beast.
The Kirkland Signature French vodka is known for quite a few things such as its exceptional smoothness and unparalleled value, but maybe one of the biggest reasons for its popularity is its mysterious origins.
Costco French Vodka Flavor Profile
Kirkland Signature French Vodka entices with a captivating flavor profile that satisfies the discerning palate. Its exceptionally smooth and velvety texture delivers a clean and pure taste, devoid of any harsh notes.
Delicate nuances of creamy vanilla gracefully intertwine with subtle floral undertones, creating an elegant and well-rounded flavor experience that rivals high-end name brand alternatives.
Name Brand Alternatives to Costco Kirkland Signature French Vodka
The internet has wondered for over a decade now if the Costco French Vodka is just rebranded Grey Goose. While it may not be true, there are striking similarities that make it hard to ignore the speculation.
From the sleek bottle design to the smooth and refined taste, Kirkland Signature French Vodka does mirror the quality of the name brand high end Grey Goose.
Costco French Vodka Price
Just like most other Kirkland Signature offerings, the Kirkland Signature French Vodka offers unmatched value.
Costco sells its 1.75L of Kirkland Signature French Vodka for only $19.99, allowing Costco members to indulge in the smooth and refined taste of French Vodka without breaking the bank.
Costco Cost Comparison
When compared to high end name brand options, Costco’s house brand, Kirkland Signature French Vodka offers some of the best value in the entire warehouse.
At only $19.99, the French Vodka is half the price of some of its competitors.
Grey Goose sells at Costco for $43.98 or more than double the $19.99 price tag on Kirkland Signature French Vodka.
I love the affordable price and because of the extremely comparable quality, the Kirkland Signature French Vodka stands as a cost-effective choice that delivers great value without compromising taste.
Mysterious History Of Kirkland Signature French Vodka
Of course the remarkable taste and phenomenal value have played a huge role in Costco French Vodka’s rise to prominence, but what took the vodka to the next level was its mysterious distiller and elusive origins.
I’ll give you a short rundown on the history and mystery of the French Vodka, but the full story can be found here.
Not Grey Goose
Costco members have spent over a decade trying to solve the riddle of the vodka’s actual manufacturer but to no avail.
Persistent rumors suggest that Grey Goose privately labels the Kirkland Signature French Vodka, yet Grey Goose has explicitly refuted any association with the production of Kirkland Signature vodka.
Despite the knowledge that Costco French Vodka is distilled in Douai, France, and sourced from the renowned Gensac Springs (the same area as Grey Goose), we remain in the dark about the distiller’s identity.
Even in our current information age, little is known about the elusive producer behind this vodka.
I Don't Know and I’d Rather Not Know
As much as I want to solve the mystery behind Kirkland Signature French Vodka, I appreciate and embrace the sense of intrigue it brings to the table.
The idea of a ragtag team producing a top tier vodka without the help of a well-known name or extensive marketing campaigns is remarkable and a testament to their work and craftsmanship. Let’s raise a glass to them, whoever they are.
Best Uses For Kirkland French Vodka
Kirkland Signature’s French Vodka offers versatility that appeals to both purists and mixologists. When sipped neat, its smooth and refined character shines through, delivering a delightful experience with subtle hints of vanilla and floral undertones. Additionally, this exceptional vodka lends itself well to a variety of mixed drinks, adding depth and sophistication to classic cocktails like the Moscow Mule or the Bloody Mary.
Whether enjoyed straight or in creative concoctions, Kirkland Signature French Vodka serves as a versatile and high-quality choice for discerning drinkers seeking both simplicity and complexity in their libations.
Kirkland Signature French Vodka vs American Vodka
While both vodka options are from the Kirkland Signature brand, they are quite a bit different and each serves its purpose and place.
If you are planning to use the vodka for cocktails or mixed drinks, the American Vodka will more than suffice. If you prefer sipping your vodka neat or in simpler cocktails where the quality of the spirit shines through, the French Vodka may be worth considering.
| Kirkland Signature American Vodka | Kirkland Signature French Vodka | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | $19.99 |
| Size | 1.75L | 1.75L |
| Country of Production | USA | France |
| Base Ingredient | Corn | Grain |
| Distillation Process | Six Times Distilled | Five Times Distilled |
| Best For | Mixed Drinks | Sipping Neat |
Is Kirkland French Vodka Gluten-Free? American Vodka?
Yes, both of the Costco Vodka options are gluten free. In fact, all pure distilled vodka is gluten free, even if it is made with grains. The Kirkland French Vodka does not mention anything about being gluten-free on the bottle, but from the sources I’ve seen, all vodka is gluten free.
The Kirkland American Vodka does state on the bottle that it is a gluten-free(gf) product. If you want to play it safe with the gluten, go with the Kirkland Signature American Vodka.
French Vodka Bottle Design
One of the best things about Costco is the ability to buy in bulk and one of the worst things about Costco is that you must buy in bulk. Costco does not require you to buy multiple bottles of Vodka at a time, but they do only carry one size, and that is extra large (1.75L).
The amount of alcohol is not unusual, but my issue is the extremely long bottle shape of the Kirkland Signature French Vodka. The bottle is extremely thin and long, and it can be hard to store in the freezer or even in regular-sized cabinets. Unless you are using the French vodka for a party and finishing it off quickly, storing the French Vodka at home may be problematic.
On the other hand, the Kirkland Signature American Vodka has a much more standard size shaped bottle and is stored much more easily than the French counterpart.
User Ratings and Reviews
Greg Larkin is the founder and managing editor of Costco Food Database, the premiere site for honest takes on all things Costco food. A self-proclaimed Costco super-fan since childhood, Greg turned his obsession in a mission to properly rate and review all of Costco’s delicious buys. When he’s not busy navigating Costco aisles, you can find Greg smoking Kirkland Signature meats, meal prepping, or perfecting his homemade jerky recipes.