Who Makes Kirkland Canadian Whiskey in 2024? Unpacking the Mystery
As Costco’s impressive in-house liquor brand, Kirkland Signature spirits frequently punch well above their weight class while remaining remarkably affordable. Among their standout offerings is Kirkland Canadian whiskey – consistently one of Costco‘s top-selling spirits over the last decade.
The Case for Alberta Distillers as Kirkland‘s Potential Producer
Costco, unfortunately, does not disclose the distiller behind any Kirkland liquor products. However, whiskey experts strongly suspect Alberta Distillers, located in Calgary, Alberta may be the contract producer of Kirkland’s Canadian whiskey.
Alberta Distillers’ credentials
Founded in 1946, Alberta Distillers Limited is one of the oldest and largest distilleries in Canada. Since 1987 it has been owned by global spirits conglomerate Diageo. Alberta Distillers already manufactures acclaimed Canadian whiskies like Crown Royal, Lot 40, and Pike Creek for Diageo.
With 72 massive pot stills and column stills on-site, Alberta Distillers has the production capacity for Kirkland’s vast Canadian whiskey volume. As Costco’s house brand, Kirkland spirits consistently rank among the retailer’s top-selling alcohol products.
Similarities to Crown Royal Provide More Clues
Further clues can be found in the notable similarities between Kirkland Canadian Whiskey and Crown Royal whiskies, as shown in this comparison:
| Characteristic | Kirkland Canadian Whiskey | Crown Royal Deluxe |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | Rich, smooth, sweet | Rich, smooth, sweet |
| Color | Amber | Golden amber |
| Bottle | Purple label, arched bottle | Purple velvet bag & box, arched bottle |
| Region | Undisclosed (Suspected Alberta) | Distilled in Gimli, Manitoba |
The shared flavor DNA and purple branding suggest a strong likelihood Kirkland sources their whiskey from Alberta Distillers as well.
Kirkland Canadian Whiskey‘s Market Share Reflects Its Popularity
According to 2022 sales data, Kirkland Signature spirits accounted for nearly 20% of all liquor purchases across Costco warehouses in North America – a stunning figure when you consider Costco sells nearly 2000 different alcohol products.
As one of Costco‘s standout liquor offerings, Kirkland Canadian whiskey owns a sizable chunk of those sales. And its reputation for quality and value propels its popularity forward every year.
Flavor Profile Analysis: Smooth, Sweet & Complex
The flavor profile of Kirkland Canadian whiskey aligns closely with many of Alberta Distillers‘ products: notably smooth and sweet, with layers of complex flavor.
Compared to mainstream Canadian whiskies, Kirkland offers greater depth from its aging process. Notes of butterscotch, oak, vanilla and spice come through beautifully. The sweetness has real dimensionality – not just simple syrupy flavor.
For a blender of spirits, these tasting characteristics suggest a high-volume contract producer with extensive experience resting whiskey in barrels for deeper flavor development before blending. Alberta Distillers has over 75 years of expertise doing precisely that.
Cocktail Trends Kirkland Canadian Whiskey Can Capitalize On
Beyond classic drinks like Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, two promising cocktail trends that play to the strengths of Kirkland Canadian whiskey are:
1. Maple Whiskey Drinks
As the popularity of uniquely Canadian ingredients grows globally, maple flavors pair beautifully with Canadian whiskey’s balanced sweetness. Look for maple & whiskey cocktails to gain popularity in 2024.
2. Crossover Bourbon Cocktails
Bourbon-centric bar menus are diversifying, with more appearances from quality, affordable blended Canadian whiskies. Expect to see Kirkland Canadian whiskey shine through in traditionally bourbon cocktails like Mint Juleps, Sazeracs, and whiskey smashes next year.
Surging Interest in Whiskey Spells More Opportunities
Canadian whiskey‘s global market value is predicted to reach $8.84 billion USD by 2027, expanding at an annual rate of 5.8% from 2020 onward. With whiskey drinking on the rise and supplies struggling to keep pace with demand, Kirkland is smartly positioned to capitalize on the growing thirst for Canadian whiskey specifically.
As sales volumes and acclaim continue building, curiosity over Kirkland Canadian whiskey’s production origins is only increasing as well. Yet concrete details remain elusive… for now at least. Perhaps someday soon Costco will solve their house liquor brand’s most intriguing mystery.
