If you shop at Costco, you may have noticed that they sell tequila. But what you might not have realized is that the prices are better than what you’d find at a liquor store.
I will be providing you with a guide that will help you find the right kind of tequila at prices you can afford. Going further, I’ll list the brands that you can find at Costco.
Tequila and other types of liquor usually don’t come cheap. Especially when it’s the high-end stuff. You really don’t need to spend an arm and a leg in order to enjoy the smooth taste of tequila.
Whether you drink it straight up or use it as a mixer, you can never go wrong with it. Some of the tequila you may try has a pretty good taste to it. Others have strong notes that you can enjoy because it’s been sitting in barrels for months, even years.
If you are in the mood for tequila and want to know what brands are best at Costco, keep reading.
What Kind Of Alcohol Can You Get At Costco?
Aside from tequila, you can get different types of alcohol from Costco. This includes but is not limited to scotch, vodka, whiskey, bourbon, rum, and even gin.
So you can basically buy pretty much everything at Costco in terms of alcohol. I will say that I’d rather get it there than in a liquor store. Why should I have to pay high prices?
One of the things that I have learned is that Costco has a private label of its own. The brand is Kirkland Signature. From what I understand, they are contracted through a handful of distilleries that make their spirits for them.
One of them is Barton 1792. It’s the place where their Kentucky Bourbon is distilled and processed. Other than that, the rest of them are pretty much a secret.
Another thing that I am aware of is that the distilleries that Kirkland Signature uses are highly rated. So that gives me confidence as a consumer knowing this. I usually want something that is excellent in quality without having to spend a ridiculous amount of money.
Again, what’s the point of spending a pretty penny on higher-end brands. Keep in mind that not all Costco’s in the United States will sell alcohol including tequila. This may depend on the state’s liquor laws.
How Cheap Is Costco’s Tequila Compared To Others?
If you go to Costco, you’ll notice that the tequila will be half the price of what you spend when compared to higher-end labels. The same will go for almost every spirit you buy.
Of course, this comes as no surprise since Costco is known for its low prices storewide. Once again, the state laws may also disallow Costco from selling alcohol at these low prices. So this is something that you want to make sure of.
There are also complex and confusing restrictions as well. These include what can or cannot be sold on Sundays or between certain hours of the day. I’m not well versed in liquor laws, so it may be important to do a little research before you head to your local Costco intending to purchase alcohol.
What Brands Of Tequila Are Available At Costco?
Kirkland Signature brand is one brand name of tequila that is sold at Costco. I also know that they sell three different types including Silver, Anejo, and Reposado. But you may also find other higher-end brands like Patron.
Patron tequila will probably go for nearly $80 a bottle, which is usually $20 less than you would pay at a regular liquor store.
As for the prices of the Kirkland Signature brand, let’s take a look at the following prices for each bottle of tequila (based on 750 ml bottles):
- Kirkland Signature Anejo ($19.95)
- Kirkland Signature Silver ($13)
- Kirkland Signature Reposado ($15-17)
So as you may have noticed, Kirkland Signature has bottles of tequila that you can buy for less than $25 dollars. That isn’t too shabby if I say so myself.
What surprises me is that Kirkland Signature Anejo is priced at just south of $20. The Signature Silver will be approximately $13 while the reposado will be anywhere from $15 to $17.
I don’t have the specific price on hand for Kirkland Signature Reposado, so I expect it to be within that price range. Either way, it’s not too bad of a price.
What I also noticed is that Kirkland Signature’s Tequila Anejo looks like a copycat of Casamigos tequila. I don’t know if they’re basing it off that or not.
Where Is Kirkland Signature’s Tequila Made?
Kirkland’s tequilas are made in a distillery known as La Madrilena. This is located in a part of Mexico known as Jalisco. It’s also known for producing tequila for other brands.
However, that’s not the only distillery that makes tequila for the Kirkland brand. Over the years, they have made plenty of changes as to which distillery gets the work done for them.
If you look at a bottle of Kirkland Signature tequila, you’ll notice a set of numbers like NOM 1173. That represents the distillery that they were made in. Some will have numbers like NOM 1438 or NOM 1472.
If you are looking for the distillery that has the highest rating, NOM 1472 is the one. It is the highest-rated among the last few distilleries they have used. NOM 1173 was the lowest rated.
So if you are looking for a better batch, Kirkland Signature tequila from NOM 1472 will be your best bet.
What Is The Difference Between Silver, Reposado, And Anejo Tequila?
There is a distinct difference between the three types of tequila. Silver is mostly distilled and doesn’t sit in oak barrels for a lengthy period of time.
Reposado will spend at least two months to almost a year in these barrels. Anejo will sit in the barrel for about a year to almost three years in total. Unlike some spirits, Reposado and Anejo don’t acquire a bitter taste because of their age.
Tequila almost never goes bad if the seal remains intact. However, it does have a lengthy shelf life even after it’s opened up.
Silver tequila will be the go-to option if you are using it as a mixer for margaritas. It can also be used for other cocktails as well. If you really want to put your bartending skills to the test, a good bottle of silver tequila might serve you best.
Reposado and Anejo tequilas are two of the smoothest types of tequila there are. The smoothness may differ slightly between the two. But if you are looking for something that has an excellent finish, they both offer it.
Kirkland Signature Tequila Anejo is the one I would personally try and for good reason. For one, it has a very unique aroma that contains spices and coconut to name a few. The body is soft and fruit while the finish has bits of butterscotch, fig, and sandalwood.
If you are looking for a tequila that isn’t too sweet or bitter, then you’d be hard-pressed to find anything else like the Anejo tequila. So, it’s great to have if you want to drink it straight.
Likewise, reposado is a good tequila to drink straight as well. It may also be good to use as a margarita mixer if you’re in the mood to mix things up. It has a bit of a vanilla and caramel taste to it, which is really nice.
I’ve also noticed that a lot of reposado tequilas have that vanilla taste as well. I’m told that it’s something that happens when they have been sitting in the barrels for quite some time. It’s also won several awards as well.
So, it’s the kind of tequila that flies under the radar. Even for the price that it might be going for, you’re getting a steal of a deal. After all, you are getting it at Costco.
It all comes down to how you drink your tequila. Do you mix it up for something special? Or are you the kind of tequila drinker that loves it straight up?
Personally, it depends on the mood that I am in. But there’s nothing wrong with margaritas during a barbeque or a hot summer day at home.
Conclusion
If you are looking for tequila, Costco has quite a few good ones. I’m actually quite happy with my choices. For the prices that they go for, you are getting excellent quality.
I dare say that they blow the other brands right out of the water. Including the higher-end brands like Patron. If you hate spending a ton of money on tequila (especially the high-end stuff), you won’t regret going to Costco to get your next bottle.
I hope you have found this guide to be very helpful. Enjoy your next tequila, however you drink it.