Kirkland Signature Tequila Price Guide & Review (2023)
Last Updated on October 25, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Costco is one of the largest retailers of alcoholic beverages in the United States, and one of its proprietary brands is the Kirkland Signature Tequila.
The Kirkland tequila price is hard to pass up, but before you buy a bottle, let’s look at some interesting facts on their tequilas and see if it is worth the hype.
All About Kirkland Tequila
Costco currently offers three tequilas under the Kirkland Signature – silver, reposado, and añejo.
Costco is a membership club warehouse where you can score different spirits. There are 14 states where you can buy alcoholic beverages without membership.
The three expressions are sourced from Corporate Distillery Santa Lucia in Mexico because tequilas should be made in five approved states in Mexico to be considered one [1].
The distillery uses a modern production process, producing great-tasting and very economical tequila.
Interesting Facts
History & Origin
Kirkland tequila was first released in 2019, and Costco sourced the expressions from three distilleries in Mexico over the years.
The three expressions are eagerly sought because of their tasting notes and price. So, to keep up with the demand, Costco switched its production to Santa Lucia.
Ownership & Distillery
Kirkland Signature tequilas are owned by Costco, a multi-billion dollar global retailer offering warehouse club operations in eight countries. But who makes Kirkland tequilas?
Based on the NOM [2] of Kirkland tequila bottles, it was currently produced by Corporate Distillery Santa Lucia (NOM 1173).
However, the tequilas were previously produced by La Madrileña (NOM 1142) and Fabrica de Tequilas Finos (NOM 1472) before ending up with their current distiller.
Fun Fact: NOM is an official Mexican standard used in Mexico to regulate tequila production.
Production Process
Corporate Distillery Santa Lucia is a modern distillery, and they use a diffuser and high-pressure autoclaves for cooking the agave piñas.
For the grinding method, the distillery uses roller mills and undergoes fermentation in stainless steel tanks.
After double distillation, Kirkland silver will rest for at least 30 days in steel tanks before bottling. The maturation of reposado and an añejo happens in white oak and ex-bourbon barrels.
Age Statement
Kirkland silver is not aged in barrels, but it is rested for at least 30 days in steel tanks. The Kirkland reposado and añejo do not bear an age statement.
On the contrary, reposados are aged 2-12 months while añejos are aged between 1-3 years in oak barrels.
Alcohol Content
Kirkland silver, reposado, and añejo contain 40% Alcohol by volume. Their ABV is equivalent to 80 proof, the standard and average alcohol proof for tequilas.
The expressions do not contain any flavoring – just 40% alcohol and 60% pure water.
Tasting Notes
- Palate – Cooked agave, fruity, floral, herbal taste, pronounced well-seasoned oak wood (añejo and reposado), vanilla, and caramel
- Nose – Pronounced notes of agave, alcohol, black pepper, cinnamon, floral, fruit, and grass aroma
- Color – Clear to light amber
- Finish – Smooth, good finish, light flavor, with lingering caramel and vanilla notes
Price & Value
Kirkland tequilas start at $24.99, and they are good value for money and work well in mixed drinks.
All the expressions offer layers of complexity and represent great values, as expected from Costco. It may be cheaper than other tequila competitors, but the tasting notes are hard to pass.
But what’s the best tequila at Costco?
Tequila Type Available
Blanco Tequila
Blanco Tequila is made from 100% pure agave and contains 40% ABV. The Kirkland silver is 1.75 liters, fully packed with pronounced notes of cooked agave and noticeable alcohol aroma and taste.
It is not aged in barrels and has a good finish and light flavor, which makes it a great sipping tequila.
Reposado Tequila
Kirkland reposado tequila is an aged tequila, and a 1L bottle contains 40% ABV. It has a great flavor profile and well-seasoned oak wood notes with a hint of caramel.
The reposado is aged for a maximum of one year and has sweet fruity notes with medium length to long finish.
Añejo Tequila
Kirkland añejo Tequila is an extra-aged tequila with 40% ABV. It has a light amber appearance and pronounced vanilla and caramel aroma and taste.
It is rich in spice notes of cinnamon and black pepper, with a long sweet finish.
Common Kirkland Tequila Prices
| Brand | Size | Alcohol Proof | Average Price |
| Kirkland Blanco Tequila | 1.75 L | 80 | Around $24.99 |
| Kirkland Reposado Tequila | 1 L | 80 | Around $38.77 |
| Kirkland Añejo Tequila | 1 L | 80 | Around $46.68 |
*Average prices of Blanco and añejo are based on Total Wine, while reposado’s average price is based on Costco. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
Compared to Other Tequilas
Don Julio
Don Julio reposado is an expensive alternative to Kirkland reposado tequila. You can score a 1.75L bottle of Don Julio for roughly $110.29, almost twice the price of a Kirkland reposado.
It is aged for six months in oak barrels and contains rich flavors of stone fruit, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Jose Cuervo
Jose Cuervo silver tequila is a nice tequila, and while it is not as expensive as Don Julio, it is not cheaper than Kirkland. A 1.75 L bottle of Jose Cuervo is around $37.99.
For its price and flavor profile, it is widely consumed as a base spirit for cocktail recipes.
Patron
Patron añejo is a premium tequila and is more expensive than Kirkland Tequila and Don Julio. For approximately $60.99, you can score a 750 ml bottle of Patron añejo.
The barrel-aged spirit has a sweeter profile but not an overpowering flavor profile ideal for tequila shots.
FAQs
What is Kirkland brand tequila equivalent to?
Kirkland brand tequila can be equivalent to Patron silver, Ed Hardy tequila, and Casamigos.
While they do not share the same price point, they have closely related notes, especially with Ed Hardy, as they once shared a distillery (NOM 1472).
How do you drink Kirkland tequila?
You can drink Kirkland tequila on the rocks, with lime shots, or as cocktails.
However, most people love to drink it as cocktails because it has a nice flavor profile that mixes well with the cocktail.
Is Kirkland tequila silver discontinued?
No, Kirkland tequila silver is not discontinued. However, some Costco warehouses are out of stock, so it will be challenging for others to get a hold of a bottle.
Final Verdict
Kirkland Signature tequila is a budget-friendly tequila that is well loved because of its price and well-flavored tasting notes.
The sourced tequila may be hard to get hold of because it is a sourced spirit, so if given a chance, try a bottle.
You can consume the three Kirkland tequila expressions on shots, on the rocks, or as cocktails.
Its flavor profile mixes well with cocktails, plus it is cheaper, so it is worth the hype.
References:
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/food-dining/2022/07/22/how-tequila-is-made-ingredients-types/10118705002/
- https://www.intertek.com/marks/nom/
