You're standing in the middle of a cavernous Costco warehouse, staring at a stack of Kirkland Signature Vodka + Soda variety packs that looks suspiciously like a pallet of High Noon. It’s $24.99 for 18 cans. Meanwhile, the actual name-brand High Noon sits a few aisles over, usually costing significantly more for fewer cans. Naturally, the first thing that pops into your head is: Is this the exact same stuff? And who is actually canning this for them?
Costco is notoriously tight-lipped. They guard their supplier identities like the secret recipe for Coca-Cola. But if you look at the clues—the packaging, the alcohol by volume (ABV), and the geographic footprint of their beverage partners—the mystery starts to unravel.
The Secretive World of Costco's Spirits
Most people assume that because Kirkland French Vodka is often compared to Grey Goose, the canned vodka soda must also come from a titan of the industry like E. & J. Gallo (the owners of High Noon). Honestly, that's probably not the case. While Gallo is a "wine and spirits behemoth," they rarely manufacture private-label copycats of their own top-selling brands. It would be cannibalizing their own market share.
Instead, the evidence points toward Patco Brands.
Based in Sausalito, California, with major production facilities in Hood River, Oregon, Patco Brands is the quiet giant behind a massive chunk of the "Ready-to-Drink" (RTD) market. They aren't a household name for consumers, but they are legendary in the business of private labeling.
Why Patco Brands is the Prime Suspect
If you flip over a box of the standard Kirkland Signature Hard Seltzer (the one that mimics White Claw), you’ll often see "Brewed by Patco Brands" or "Hayden Spirits" printed right there in the fine print.
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Patco specializes in this exact category. They own brands like Rancho La Gloria (those вездесущий agave margaritas) and Big Sipz. They have the infrastructure in Oregon to handle massive spirit-based canning runs. When Costco launched the newer Vodka + Soda line—which uses real vodka rather than a malt base—they almost certainly leaned on this existing relationship.
It makes sense. You don't build a new supply chain from scratch when you already have a partner that understands your quality standards and can scale to 600+ warehouses.
Is It Just a High Noon "Dupe"?
Let's talk about the liquid inside. The Kirkland version features three main players: Peach, Watermelon, and Pineapple.
If those flavors sound familiar, it's because they are the "Big Three" of the canned cocktail world. But here is where it gets interesting.
- ABV: Both the Kirkland Vodka + Soda and High Noon sit at 4.5% alcohol.
- Ingredients: Both boast a list that leads with vodka, sparkling water, and real fruit juice.
- Calorie Count: They both hover around the 100-calorie mark.
When you taste them side-by-side, the difference is negligible for most people. Some Redditors and enthusiasts claim the Kirkland version has a slightly "cleaner" finish, while others think the fruit juice in High Noon tastes a bit more authentic. But for an $8 to $10 savings per box? Most shoppers don't care about a 2% difference in flavor profile.
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The Manufacturer Rumor Mill
There is a lot of noise out there. You might hear people say Deschutes Brewery makes it. While Deschutes is reportedly brewing the new Kirkland Signature Lager in Bend, Oregon, they aren't traditionally a spirit-based distillery.
Then there’s the LeVecke Corporation. They handle a lot of the bottling for Kirkland’s distilled spirits, like the American Vodka. However, canning a carbonated cocktail is a different beast than bottling a 40% ABV spirit.
The most likely reality? Costco uses a "regional sourcing" model. This means that while Patco Brands might handle the West Coast and Midwest, they might use different co-packers for the East Coast to save on shipping costs. This is why a Kirkland product might taste slightly different in Florida than it does in Washington state.
What Really Happened with the Formulation
When the product first hit shelves in early 2025, it caused a minor panic in the industry. The price point—roughly $1.38 per can—is significantly lower than the $2.50 to $3.00 per can you see at local liquor stores for national brands.
Costco achieves this by cutting out the middleman and the massive marketing budget. High Noon spends millions on advertising and sports sponsorships. Kirkland spends zero. They rely on the fact that you’re already in the store to buy a 5-pound bag of frozen blueberries and a rotisserie chicken.
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The Verdict on Quality
Is it "human-quality" booze? Absolutely.
Kirkland Signature products are required to meet or exceed the quality of the national brand they are competing with. If a supplier can't beat the taste of the leader in a blind test, Costco generally won't put their name on it.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Trip:
- Check the Label: Look for the "Produced by" or "Bottled by" text in tiny font on the bottom of the box. If it says Hood River, OR, you’re drinking a Patco-produced beverage.
- Stock Up Early: These variety packs have a habit of disappearing during the summer months. Because they use real juice, they have a shelf life. Check the "Best By" dates if you're buying three cases at once.
- Price Comparison: Always check the unit price. In most states (where liquor laws allow), the Kirkland Vodka + Soda is roughly 25-30% cheaper than High Noon. If the gap is smaller than that at your local warehouse, the brand name might be worth the extra couple of bucks for the prestige.
Ultimately, the "who" matters less than the "how." Costco uses their massive scale to force high-end producers to make a "house version" of their best stuff. Whether it's Patco, LeVecke, or a smaller regional player, the recipe is dictated by Costco’s obsession with value.
Next time you’re at the checkout, just know you’re likely drinking Oregon-crafted spirits that were designed to be a mirror image of the most popular drink in America.
Next Steps:
To verify the producer in your specific region, check the back of the 18-pack box for the DSP (Distilled Spirits Plant) number. You can plug this number into the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) database to find the exact name and location of the distillery that registered the label.