Costco holds a special place in many hearts: the fun, the adventure, the super low prices and super large portions. One of the better buys at Costco is tequila, both its own brand Kirkland Signature, and other major brands such as Don Julio or even Clase Azul.

This article breaks down Costco’s tequila offering – the range, the prices and where they are made. And good news for mezcal lovers, while Kirkland is yet to enter the market, Costco does stock an increasing range of mezcal such as the Breaking Bad duo’s Dos Hombres. 

Kirkland Signature Brand Tequila

Costco’s proprietary brand is called Kirkland Signature, named after the city where Costco has its headquarters, Kirkland, Washington.

Kirkland Signature Tequila

Kirkland Signature tequila is available in three classes: silver (or blanco), reposado and añejo. All Kirkland tequilas are 100% blue agave.

How much does Kirkland Signature Tequila cost?

The price of Costco’s Kirkland Signature tequila varies based on the class:

Kirkland Tequila Price and Comparison

Nutrition

As a distilled spirit, Kirkland Signature tequilas have zero carbs, zero fat and zero sugar. However, in the case of the Añejo and possibly the reposado there are likely added sugars after distillation to widen the appeal. Tequila producers are permitted to add up to 1% sugars and certain other substances without disclosure, even if it is labeled a “100% agave tequila”.

Who makes Costco Kirkland Signature Tequila?

Costo uses two different producers to make its Kirkland Signature tequila. The Kirkland Silver Tequila is made at La Madrileña Distillery (NOM 1142) in Tototlan, Jalisco. The reposado and añejo tequilas are made at the Destileria Santa Lucia (NOM 1173) in Tesitán, Jalisco. Source: Mexico’s tequila regulator CRT

Maker of Kirkland Signature Silver Tequila

La Madrileña Distillery also makes six other brands of tequila apart from Kirkland Signature Silver. Other tequila brands made by the Costco silver tequila producer:

• Xicote
• Mayorazgo
• Piedra Azul
• Jarana
• Corona
• Viuda de Romero

The tequilas made at the same distillery as Kirkland Signature Silver are not particularly noteworthy and mostly lie towards the budget end of the spectrum.

Kirkland Signature Silver tequila was previously made at another distillery, Fabrica de Tequilas Finos (NOM 1472), however all production has now moved to La Madrileña. There may still be some old bottles from NOM 1472 around.

Maker of Kirkland Signature Reposado and Añejo

Destileria Santa Lucia (NOM 1173) makes 20 brands of tequila including Kirkland Signature’s Reposado and Añejo. The company dates back to 1940 when Don Enrique Guillermo Newton began to market tequila. The current distillery finished construction in 1994. The company is run by descendants of the founder. It was previously known as Newton Distillery.

The company owns a handful of its own brands and manufactures for owners of other brands including Costco. Selection of other brands produced by the maker of Kirkland Signature Reposado and Añejo:

• El Destilador (owned)
• Amate
• Casta Pasion
• Tierra Azteca
• La Puerta Negra (owned)
• Tequila Gran Agave

Again most brands produced here are towards the budget end, except Amate. El Destilador and Casta Pasion also have some more premium varieties.

Kirkland Signature Añejo tequila was previously made at another distillery, Fabrica de Tequilas Finos (NOM 1472), the maker of Nick Jonas’s tequila Villa One. However all production has now moved to the Santa Lucia Distillery. There may still be some old bottles from NOM 1472 around.

Kirkland Signature Reposado tequila was previously made at another distillery, Casa Maestri (NOM 1438), the maker of Michael Jordan’s tequila, Cincoro. However all production has now moved to the Santa Lucia Distillery. There may still be some old bottles from NOM 1438 around.

Tequilas sold at Costco, with prices

Along with three varieties of its own tequila, Costco stocks a range of other brands. Many of the brands are sold in large format bottles that are harder to find at other stores. Costco’s range of tequilas fluctuates during the year and not all stores will have availability, particularly of less common brands.

Tequilas sold at Costco with wider availability:

Tequilas sold at Costco with more limited availability (may not be available at your store):

Note: prices shown are warehouse prices from March 2023. Prices can vary store to store, especially in states with higher liquor taxes. Online delivery prices will be roughly 15% higher than warehouse prices.

Clase Azul Tequila Costco

You can buy Clase Azul tequila at Costco, but only if you are lucky. Not all Costco stores stock the white and blue ceramic bottles. If you do find it you can expect to pay around $130 for the Clase Azul Reposado.

Depending on your state, Clase Azul Reposado usually costs around $160-$180 from other stores, so for $130 it is much cheaper to buy at Costco.

The tequila is probably more famous for its hand painted ceramic bottle than what’s inside. The tequila comes in tall blue and white bottles with a bell on top, made by local artisans in Jalisco Mexico.

Clase Azul also makes some of the most expensive tequilas in the world. But you won’t find them at Costco.

Mezcal sold at Costco

Costco does not yet have its own brand of mezcal. There is no Kirkland Signature Mezcal. However they sometimes stock other brands of mezcal including:

• Dos Hombres, 750 ml, $48
• El Silencio, 750 ml, $30
• Don Ramon Joven Zacatecas, 750 ml, $50

Breaking Bad Mezcal Costco

Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul have recently been on a promotional tour around different Costcos in California promoting their mezcal, Dos Hombres. If you are lucky enough to find one of these stores you can meet the actors, or at least pick up an autographed bottle signed by the pair. 

Dos Hombres mezcal costs $47.99 at Costco. This price is for a store in San Diego as at March 2023. You cannot buy Dos Hombres Tequila or Breaking Bad Tequila at Costco as currently the brand only produces mezcal.

Other Kirkland Signature Spirits

Costco sells around 20 spirits under the Kirkland Signature brand, however the number fluctuates during the year. Some brands are only available in the fourth quarter of the year, i.e. the months of October, November and December, when alcohol sales are the highest.

Spirits sold at Costco under the Kirkland Signature brand:

• Tequila, three varieties
• Vodka, two varieties
• Scotch whisky, four varieties
• Bourbon, three varieties
• Tennessee whiskey
• Irish whiskey
• Canadian whisky
• Gin
• Spiced rum
• Cognac
• Irish Cream Liqueur

Other questions about buying tequila at Costco

What states does Costco sell Kirkland Signature Tequila?

There are Costco stores in 46 states however only 31 states sell spirits. Costco does not sell spirits in the 17 control states, where spirit sales are regulated to be sold only through the state.

Do you need to be a member to buy spirits at Costco?

There are many states where you do not need to be a member to buy tequila and other liquor at Costco. Costco is a membership club where you usually need to be a paying member to shop at its stores. However in 14 states it is illegal to require membership to purchase alcohol. Two of these states (Michigan and Vermont) are control states so no one can buy spirits at Costco in those states.

In these states you do not need to be a member to buy tequila, spirits or other alcohol at Costco:

Is Tequila cheaper to buy at Costco?

Tequila is generally cheaper to buy at Costco warehouses compared to other shops, especially its Kirkland Signature brands of tequila and larger format bottles.