Sam's Club Spirits
While Sam’s Club has only been in the liquor business since 2010, the Walmart-owned wholesaler has put together an impressive lineup of affordable white-label alcohols under its Member’s Mark brand. But does Sam’s Club liquor taste as cheap as it is? Should you use the retailer to replenish your home bar? We combed through member reviews, expert analyses, and superfans’ comments to separate the best from the worst when it comes to Member’s Mark-brand Sam’s Club liquors.
Editor's Note: Prices and availability are subject to change
Buy: Member’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Estimated Price: $18
The wholesaler’s Member's Mark bourbon earns plaudits from both consumers and experts, receiving a silver medal from the Beverage Testing Institute(BTI). The institute’s tasters lauded Member’s Mark bourbon for being “tailor-made for a nice Old Fashioned,” and at around $18, it’s cheaper (and arguably better) than a handle of Jim Beam.
Buy: Member’s Mark Vodka
Estimated Price: $13
Sam’s Club Member's Mark vodka earned high marks from both superfans and experts, with BTI awarding it a gold medal and a 93/100 rating. The review describes it as a “rich, smooth vodka perfect for sipping chilled neat, on the rocks, or in an extra-dry martini.” Member’s Mark vodka also received praise on Reddit, where one superfan wrote that they were “blown away” by the spirit.
Buy: Member’s Mark London Dry Gin
Estimated Price: $17
Sam’s Club gin is a BTI gold medal winner that’s half the price of most top-shelf gins, making it an excellent choice for co*cktail fans seeking cheap gin on a budget. It’s also sure to be refreshing on the rocks thanks to its complex flavors of ginger, clove, juniper, caraway, and more.
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Buy: Member’s Mark Canadian Whiskey
Estimated Price: $19
This Canadian version of Member’s Mark whiskey can’t compare with the brand’s highest-rated offerings, such as its vodka and gin, but BTI still recommends this clean, aged whiskey, which you can enjoy on the rocks, in a co*cktail, or neat.
Skip: Member’s Mark Blended Scotch Whisky
Estimated Price: $17
While this Member’s Mark whiskey is aged and imported from Scotland, it is almost universally panned online. Apart from its poor reviews on Sam's website — one shopper compared the flavor to licking an ashtray — it is also featured in videos like “Worst Whiskey Watch.”
Buy: Member’s Mark French Vodka
Estimated Price: $19
Like Costco, Sam’s Club offers two types of vodka: the cheaper, domestic version above, and a more premium French option. While Sam’s French vodka isn’t as esteemed as Costco’s widely acclaimed offering, theimportedMember’s Mark vodka is a favorite among shoppers, who describe it as “smooth” and “fantastic” on the warehouse’s website.
Skip: Member's Mark Tequila Reposado
Estimated Price: $16
As the lowest-rated liquor on the Sam’s Club website, members should definitely leave Member’s Mark tequilareposadoon the shelf. Critical consumers described it as “rough,” “watery,” and “awful,” with one member writing that the Sam's Club tequila tastes like it is "mixed with hand sanitizer.” We’ll pass.
Buy: Member’s Mark Silver Tequila
Estimated Price: $23
Member’s Mark’s reposado might be a hard pass, but don’t let that discourage you from purchasing a bottle of Sam’s Club's silver. Sure, this Member’s Mark tequila might not compare to a bottle of top-shelf Cazcanes, but the retailer’s budget blanco does receive a satisfactory 79/100 points on Tequila Matchmaker. One community reviewer even called it the best-tasting budget silver on the market.
Buy: Member’s Mark Silver Rum
Estimated Price: $14
Perfect for tropical co*cktails and fruity concoctions, Sam’s Club white rum presents with a mild coconut aroma followed by a “powdered sugar finish,” according to BTI. While this Member’s Mark rum didn’t rise to the same level as the brand’s vodka and gin, it did receive a respectable silver medal and 85/100 rating.
Related:Don't Miss These Perks of Costco and Sam's Club Membership
Buy: Member’s Mark Spiced Rum
Estimated Price: $14
Member’s Mark spiced rum might not score as high as other Sam’s Club liquor, but BTI still gives it a silver medal with 85/100 points. The institute's tasters write that this affordable dark liquor is “sweet and spicy,” with notes of caramel, vanilla, and shortbread cookie.
This article was originally published on Cheapism
