If you are looking for the ultimate sipping vodka without breaking the bank, the Kirkland vodka may just be what you need. Our Kirkland vodka prices and sizes guide shares everything there is to know about this premium-tasting vodka. ‘
The premium quality vodka offers beautiful flavors that pack complexity and viscosity. The Kirkland vodka is not your regular watery vodka! Its rich flavors paired with its smoothness make it the ultimate sipper.
But, what makes it stand out the most are its friendly prices. You don’t have to dig deep into your pockets like you would for other bank-breaking premium vodka brands.
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Ready to take your first sip? Check out this guide to find the ultimate Kirkland bottle for you.
Also check: Who Makes Kirkland Vodka?
The Kirkland Brand – History & Present
There’s really no clear or publicized history of the Kirkland vodka. So, while some people speculate Grey Goose is behind the brand, Grey Goose has refuted these claims. To date, the actual brand behind Kirkland vodka is still a mystery.
Kirkland vodka is available in the US in two main types, i.e. Kirkland Signature French Vodka and Kirkland’s American Vodka. The idea behind the vodka is to produce two premium-quality vodkas. In fact, the Kirkland French vodka’s premium quality is comparable to some of the best top-shelf vodkas.
Yet, these vodkas are available in the market without costing an arm and leg – less than half the price of standard top-shelf vodka. Exclusively marketed by Costco, Kirkland French vodka is sourced from the Gayant Distillery in France.
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The vodka is distilled using a similar process to other distillers in the Cognac region. During its distillation process, Kirkland French Vodka uses the same water source as Grey Goose Vodka. This explains why many people speculate the Grey Goose brand is behind the vodka’s production.
But, this is as far as we know about the production of Kirkland vodka. After all, even the information on the production is as elusive as the origins of the brand.
On the other hand, the California-based LeVecke Corp is licensed under the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to make and distribute the Kirkland American Vodka. The American Kirkland vodka version goes through a six-distillation step process to help achieve its ultra smoothness and delicious taste.
More: 20 Best Costco Tequila Brands
Typical of vodka, this six-step distillation strips off the significant tasting notes. This produces excellent quality vodka that maintains a neutral taste with minimally faint delicious tasting notes.
American Kirkland vodka is made using the finest American heartland grains with purified water. This gives it its signature thin texture with a biting and smooth finish. The grain is loaded into a cooking chamber and blended with purified spring water.
Next, the mixture is heated to convert starch into sugars to produce mash. The mash is then transferred to a fermentation tank and mixed with yeast for two to four days of fermentation. This fermentation process turns the moisture into alcohol.
The mixture is transferred to six distillation columns for heating and distillation for the final product.
Kirkland Vodka Types & Taste
Kirkland vodka is an unaged distilled spirit with 40% ABV/80 US proof. While the vodka’s price tag isn’t exactly classified as top shelf or premium, the French vodka is reported to frequently beat Grey Goose in multiple blind taste tests.
Its domestic US variety doesn’t disappoint either – it is frequently grouped with Tito’s vodka in the flavor and smoothness category.
Kirkland vodka is available in two key varieties. The Kirkland French Vodka comes in a minimalist red labeled bottle while the American one is packed in a minimalist blue labeled bottle.
The French version is considered to be more expensive than its American counterpart. Kirkland American vodka offers just the right notes and smoothness to make it excellent as a sipper, on the rocks or mixed in cocktails.
Also check: 25 Best Vodka Brands
Kirkland Signature French Vodka
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Bottled in a 1.75L capacity, the Kirkland Signature French Vodka features a premium quality body and taste. The vodka offers a silky smooth body with a medium weight similar to white wine.
So, drinking it, you don’t get that typical watery feel similar to cheap or regular quality vodka. The French Signature vodka is closely associated with the taste of Grey Goose. But, it tends to offer a creamier feel with a less watery finish.
This explains why it usually wins blind taste tests against Grey Goose. Further, the vodka develops a supple mouth feel with a fresh linen aroma.
To achieve that top-quality taste and finish, the vodka’s multiple distillation process leaves it with minimal but, pleasant tasting notes. The vodka boasts a delicate nose with a sweet and bright citrusy flavor complemented by smooth cereal notes.
These smooth, subtle, and exquisite flavors and feel make the Kirkland Signature French Vodka excellent as a sipper to savor all the elements. You can also add a few ice cubes to enjoy it on the rocks or add a splash of water, club soda, or tonic.
Kirkland Signature American Vodka
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Also bottled in a 1.75L capacity, the Kirkland signature American vodka is made using 100% premium quality American heartland grains mixed with pure spring water to give it its special vodka formula.
The American vodka variety has a strong alcohol bite with a lingering flavor that rests on the mouth and chest. The vodka features a fresh and slightly sweet flavor profile with hints of citrus and vanilla.
You will also get a faint finishing hint of black peppercorns with some gin-like elements. Yet, it maintains an extremely balanced flavor makeup. The Kirkland Signature American Vodka can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or as a base for various vodka-based cocktails.
Kirkland Vodka Sizes & Prices
Kirkland vodkas come in two types and sizes. Both the French and American versions of the vodka come in a 1.75L bottle. But, what makes the vodka unique are its reasonably cheaper prices.
The Kirkland Signature French Vodka costs approximately $24.99 while the American version costs slightly lower, at $16.99.
| Vodka | Origin | Size | Alcohol Proof | Cost (in USD$) |
| Kirkland Signature French Vodka | France | 1.75L | 40% ABV/80% US Proof | $24.99 |
| Kirkland Signature American Vodka | USA | 1.75L | 40% ABV/80% US Proof | $16.99 |
Where To Buy Kirkland Vodka
The Kirkland Signature vodkas are exclusively stocked at Costco. You can purchase the vodka at any Costco location (as long as you have the membership card) except in certain states, including Arizona, California, Hawaii, Connecticut, Delaware, Colorado, Indiana, and Kentucky.
However, you can also find the Kirkland signature American Vodka outside Costco, both in physical stores and online platforms, such as Drizly.
How To Enjoy Kirkland Vodka
Kirkland Signature vodka is best enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a base for a cocktail. The American variety works best in a cocktail or simply added with a splash of club soda. You can also brighten up the cocktail with a splash of fruit soda, such as grapefruit.
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On the other hand, while the French version is good in a cocktail, its rich and smooth profile makes it a good candidate as a sipper, on the rocks, or added with a splash of water. This allows you to enjoy its elegant flavors the most.
Some of the popular cocktails you can enjoy using either Kirkland Signature American or French vodka include;
- Moscow Mule: Mix 1 part vodka and 4 parts ginger beer in a cocktail shaker and pour over a highball glass filled with ice. Top with a splash of lime juice and garnish with a lime wedge.
- Chocolate Martini: Combine equal parts vodka, Irish cream, and chocolate liqueur in a cocktail shaker and pour over a cocktail glass. Garnish with shaved chocolate.
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Kirkland Vodka Alternatives
Not everyone has access to Costco where they can purchase the Kirkland Signature Vodka. So, whether it’s the lack of access or other reasons, the vodkas have a wide range of other alternatives they contend with. Here are the top Kirkland vodka alternatives;
1. Grey Goose Vodka
Origin: France
Alcohol Proof: 40% ABV/80 US Proof
Cost & size: $59.99(1.75L), $41.99 (1L)
If you are willing to pay extra Grey Goose vodka is the next best alternative to Kirkland Signature Vodka. In fact, this premium top-shelf vodka is usually compared to the French version. The high quality vodka is made using the finest French ingredients sourced from the cognac region.
The ingredients consist of the highest grade wheat and pristine limestone filtered spring water. The spirit develops a clear and fresh elegant aromatic flavor profile complemented by subtle almond hints and a long satisfying finish.
The best part of going for Grey Goose Vodka is that it comes with a selection of flavors beyond the classic ones. You can go for any flavor ranging from white peach & rosemary to orange, strawberry & lemongrass, and watermelon & basil, to name a few.
2. Smirnoff No.21 Vodka
Origin: USA
Alcohol Proof: 40% ABV/80 US Proof
Cost & size: $24.99(1.75L), $16.99-18.99 (1L)
The classic Smirnoff No.21 Vodka comes at the same price tag as Kirkland American Vodka and boasts equally balanced flavors. This vodka variety is an ideal alternative to the American version, especially when it comes to its use as a cocktail base.
The Smirnoff No.21 Vodka boasts a dry finish made palatable by the vodka’s clarity and smoothness. Filtered 10 times in a multiple-column filtration process, the award-winning vodka has a clean and smooth character with a touch of sweetness on the palate.
Whether you want to enjoy it straight, on the rock, or mixed in a cocktail, Smirnoff No.21 doesn’t disappoint. It makes a particularly excellent base for Moscow Mule or when splashed with ginger beer and lime juice.
3. Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Origin: USA
Alcohol Proof: 40% ABV/80 US Proof
Cost & size: $29.99 – 36.99(1.75L), $21.99-18.99 (1L)
Tito’s Handmade Vodka contains no wheat, unlike Kirkland Signature Vodka. However, it is still rated as one of the best American vodkas by consumers. In fact, the vodka compares pretty well with both the American and French versions of the Kirkland Vodka brand.
The vodka is made primarily using corn to give it an ultra smooth character with distinctive sweetness. For even better clarity and enhanced flavor, the vodka goes through a filtration process through charcoal.
As a result, this American vodka develops a slightly sweet and creamy mouth feel with clean minerality and grainy character. When you sip the vodka, you also get faint and smoky notes of tinned sweet corn and roasted black peppercorns.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or mixed in a vodka cocktail with minimal ingredients so you also get some of its flavor notes.
4. Ketel One Vodka
Origin: Netherlands
Alcohol proof:40% ABV/80 US proof
Cost & size: $26.99(750ml), $43.99(1.75L)
While you will pay slightly extra for Ketel One, it’s certainly worth the spend if you want a good quality sipper. The vodka goes through complex distilling processes, including copper pot stills distillation, charcoal filters, and lined tank storage to give it its distinctive flavor.
Further, the vodka is made from 100% GMO-free European wheat for a smooth and neutral finish. The combination of high quality wheat and the complex distillation process offer Ketel One signature silky smoothness and long subtle finish for the ultimate sipper.
But, you can also curate excellent cocktails using the vodka, whether a refreshing soda cucumber mint cocktail or adding just a splash of fruit soda.
5. Beluga
Origin: Russia
Alcohol proof:40% ABV/80 US proof
Cost & size: $31.99(750ml), $39.99(1L)
Beluga Vodka gets you the real taste of Russian vodka with the utmost detail put into its distillation. The premium luxury vodka features a uniquely gentle mouth feel with a balanced flavor and a slightly sweet aftertaste.
The vodka gets its fine and rich taste from the deep Siberian artesian well of pure water and is triple-filtered and rested for up to 30 days. The award-winning vodka develops a fresh and rich elegant taste profile with faint notes of wheat and flower.
You certainly want to savor this taste and body neat, on the rocks, or mixed in a light cocktail.
6. Ciroc
Origin: French
Alcohol proof: 40% ABV/80 US proof
Cost & size: $33.99 (750ml), $44.99(1L)
If you are in the mood to splurge and enjoy vodka with style, Ciroc is the brand to go for – no wonder Grammy-winning music mogul, Diddy, endorses the vodka! Ciroc is an excellent alternative to Kirkland Vodka as it matches the sophisticated flavors and body of the latter’s French version.
The ultra premium French vodka is distilled five times and finished in tailor-made copper pot stills in southern France. The best-selling vodka offers a smooth and elegant finish.
A few ice rocks and lemonade to make the Diddy cocktail is all it takes to enjoy this prized vodka.
Also check: Best Vodkas from Russia
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Kirkland Vodka Made By Grey Goose?
Kirkland Vodka is not made by Grey Goose. While many speculations have indicated Grey Goose to be the manufacturer behind Kirkland Vodka, even the CEO of the company has refuted these claims. So, at least officially, we know the Grey Goose brand is not the manufacturer of Kirkland Vodka.
Who Manufactures Kirkland Vodka?
The identity of the Manufacturer of Kirkland Vodka still remains elusive and a mystery. However, Kirkland Signature American Vodka is manufactured and distributed by the LeVecke Group under the regulation of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau ( the US authority for alcohol importation).
The actual producer of Kirkland Signature French Vodka is unknown. On the other hand, both versions of Kirkland Signature vodka are exclusively sold by Costco.
Is Kirkland Vodka The Same As Tito’s?
Kirkland Signature Vodka, particularly the American version has been likened to one of the popular American vodka, Tito’s Handmade vodka. According to vodka drinkers, the two vodkas have nearly similar flavor notes and feel.
So, if you are in search of a Kirkland Signature American Vodka alternative, Tito’s is probably an excellent option.
Is Kirkland Vodka A Good Brand?
Kirkland Vodka is a pretty excellent brand. The vodka, particularly the French version, boasts a more premium flavor, body, and mouth feel. Yet, this premium-quality vodka comes at the fraction of the price.
Kirkland vodka costs less than half of a standard premium, top-shelf vodka. In fact, the vodka can be compared to some of the top rated top-shelf and premium vodkas.
According to Huffington Post and other popular magazines, Kirkland Vodka even surpasses premium vodkas, like Grey Goose, in many blind taste tests.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, Kirkland Signature vodka is one of a kind spirit to swarm the market. It’s no wonder one of the best stores to stock high quality products in its aisles exclusively stocks vodka.
The vodka’s impressive body and mouth feel coupled with the faint but, uniquely elegant and palate-pleasing notes never fail to impress. However, the best part about this premium quality, top-shelf vodka is its surprisingly low price.
Whether you want a smooth and rich French vodka sipper or a more robust cocktail base American vodka variety, Kirkland vodka guarantees great value either way.
