Refilling my empty branded bottles with Costco brand liquor for my bar

Long story short, I'm finishing up my basement and with that will be a wet bar! I went to Costco the other day and realized that the 1.75L generic's for all types of liquor were extraordinarily cheap compared to their counterparts.... Ex. $15 for Kirkland rum at 1.75L vs. $35 for Captain Morgan 1.75L.

There was a Kirkland's brand for Macallan 12 (scotch), Grey Goose, Bombay (gin), Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Bailey (or one of the other Irish creme's) and tequilas (I saw two; one aged and one not).

I was planning on refilling my empty bottles of say my empty Grey Goose, Captain Morgan and other branded liquor bottles mentioned above and planned to just serve that to any guests whenever I have get-togethers at the house, but save the nice liquors for closer friends and family. That way, no one can complain about having to pitch in for alcohol for my cheapo friends and it won't hurt my pockets to do this nice gesture whenever they're over at the house.

Have any of y'all tried the Kirkland and compared it to its counterpart? Would you have noticed the difference?

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

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Our son was still living at home when he turned 21. He had a party and invited friends over so they could shoot pool and darts (we took all car keys). My husband refilled bottles of Chevis, Grey Goose, and Tanqueray, with wannabes. 21-year olds thought they were being royally treated, and knew no difference. More experienced taste buds most certainly would.

I wouldn't know the difference when talking about whisky. But, don't touch my Tanqueray, I'll know!

I think it also depends on whether or not people are drinking it neat or on the rocks, or using a mixer. I think it wouldn't matter much on the Bailey's, but a lot of scotch and whiskey drinkers like it neat or on the rocks, there is a HUGE difference in flavor. And vodka? Even if it's with a mixer, I can tell if it's cheap liquor.

Why not go the whole hog and give your guests lighter fuel with food coloring? With the right mixer nobody will be none the wiser.

Good luck!

I find the Costco vodka is about the same as Grey Goose and is a lot cheaper. Not exactly Tito's but with a mixer I cannot tell the difference. If you are serving those "clean" it may be a different story.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/05/2017 02:41PM by teriraia.

Both the vodka ad the tequila from Kirlkand get excellent ratings from both some experts and some friends of mine who decided to try them. They get favorably reviewed in many places. I have not paid much attention to any whisky reviews because when it comes to that I only drink single malt Scotch whiskey( and so rarely that my current supply will last a loooong time. I make sure to replenish it when I have access to a duty free shop).

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

The only problem is that doing what your suggesting could be a criminal act in some states.

It would be against the law if he owned a bar. He is doing it for his personal wet bar in his basement. Unless a liquor license is required for him to give away booze in his own home or there is a law against being a bad host, he is fine

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

@Capurato wrote:

The only problem is that doing what your suggesting could be a criminal act in some states.

What are you talking about? This is for my home residence and not making any income from this.

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

@LisaSTL wrote:

It would be against the law if he owned a bar. He is doing it for his personal wet bar in his basement. Unless a liquor license is required for him to give away booze in his own home or there is a law against being a bad host, he is fine

Lol only way I'll be a bad host is giving my guests a bad hangover

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

If I like someone well enough to invite them to my home, I like them well enough to give them good booze

Costco booze IS decent quality

Kona Kathie

My question is why the ruse at all? A good guest is not going to crinkle up their nose. You could do what a friend of mine always did. He would play bartender for each guest's first cocktail only, then they were to help themselves. If the off brands taste the same, your guests may be pleasantly surprised.

@LisaSTL wrote:

My question is why the ruse at all? A good guest is not going to crinkle up their nose. You could do what a friend of mine always did. He would play bartender for each guest's first cocktail only, then they were to help themselves. If the off brands taste the same, your guests may be pleasantly surprised.

The perception that branded alcohols is ALWAYS better and 'different' than generic's. And they are brands they are typically used to seeing. It's like asking why do people buy fake Louis's or Gucci's instead of just rocking a generic bootleg handbag?

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

There's not that much saving in a drink, but for a party it pays. I've never done it, when we entertained, it was always the best so, no one could talk about how cheap we were, and believe me, my guests would know..
Depends on how savy your guest are, some really don't care, others do, know who you invite over, problem solved.

Live consciously....

I'm interested in finding out how many guests the OP invites to his house every month and how much they drink. Unless the numbers are quite high, it seems like a lot of hassle to save a few dollars.

Supermarket branded drinks are usually the choice of alcoholics.

I'm a wine drinker. I am actually the Wine Coordinator for a local farmers' market. I know a bit about wine.

I bought a cab and chard from Costco, and I was impressed!

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

What's your address?

@LisaSTL wrote:

If I like someone well enough to invite them to my home, I like them well enough to give them good booze

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

Doing the math from Lisa's to Honny's states...might be better to meet in the middle. Let me know and I'll join you, and I'll bring along some great wine and booze.

If we take the northern route aren't you near the middle?

I'll drink to that.

@LisaSTL wrote:

If we take the northern route aren't you near the middle?

Exactly. We can just party at my house, LOL.

I've got access to good Bourbon and Mt. Dew. Lemme know and I'll pencil y'all in.

MegglesKat

Heck, I might even sweet talk the honey into getting me a fresh doe and some cat fish for this adventure

MegglesKat

You are pretty much on the Bourbon Trail, MC. But I'll pass on the Mt. Dew, LOL. C'mon up!

There are some great Bourbons and some amazing home brewers of Moon Shine in this area but I would rather have an ice cold beer or a glass of Moscato.

MegglesKat

Not big on the sweet wine but I like beer just fine.

I would read up on the laws in your state. A fair number apply to both businesses and "citizens".

Also some liquors are made differently. For example Tito's vodka is gluten free. Others are not. You want to risk your "friends" getting sick?

You do you man, you do you.

@Capurato wrote:

I would read up on the laws in your state. A fair number apply to both businesses and "citizens".

Also some liquors are made differently. For example Tito's vodka is gluten free. Others are not. You want to risk your "friends" getting sick?

You do you man, you do you.

Oh really? Like what states? That's basically saying I was illegally mixing my pint of liquor that I would basically drink out of back during my college years.

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

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Refilling my empty branded bottles with Costco brand liquor for my bar

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