Costco Tequila Lawsuit Alleges Kirkland Label Misled Shoppers About 100% Blue Agave

Case Overview: The lawsuit claims Costco falsely advertised Kirkland Signature Tequila as 100% Blue Weber Agave despite allegedly including alcohol from other sources.

Consumers Affected: Buyers of Kirkland Signature Tequila labeled as 100% Blue Weber Agave.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Costco is facing a lawsuit over its popular Kirkland Signature Tequila after a shopper alleged that the liquor is not actually made entirely from Blue Weber agave, despite what the label says. 

The complaint accuses the retail giant of misleading customers and charging premium prices for a product that fails to meet the standards for “100% agave” tequila.

Filed by Ariel Glazer, who claims that Costco’s Kirkland tequila contains ethanol sourced from non-agave materials. According to the filing, that would mean the tequila does not qualify as “100% Blue Weber Agave” under the labeling rules enforced in both the United States and Mexico.

Glazer says she and other customers bought the tequila believing it was a pure, high-quality spirit comparable to luxury brands such as Patrón or Don Julio. She argues that she never would have purchased the product, or would have paid less for it, if she had known it was blended with other alcohol sources.

Complaint Says Product Violates U.S. And Mexican Labeling Standards

The complaint alleges that Costco’s advertising, bottle labels, and marketing materials present the product as being made exclusively from Blue Weber agave. The phrase “100% Blue Weber Agave” is prominently displayed on the packaging and promoted in-store and online, leading customers to believe it adheres to traditional tequila-making standards.

According to the lawsuit, the reality is different. The plaintiff claims that Kirkland tequila contains alcohol derived from cane, grain, or other sugars, which disqualifies it from being marketed as pure agave tequila. Both U.S. and Mexican regulations require that any beverage labeled “100% agave” must derive all fermentable sugars from the Blue Weber agave plant.

“Consumers paid premium prices in reliance on Costco’s representations that the product was created entirely from Blue Weber agave,” the lawsuit states. “Had they known the truth, they would not have made the purchase.”

Plaintiff Argues Costco’s Marketing Misled Consumers On Quality

The lawsuit argues that Costco’s marketing strategy positioned Kirkland tequila as a premium spirit while using language and imagery designed to suggest authenticity. By leveraging the trusted Kirkland Signature brand, the company allegedly encouraged shoppers to believe they were getting a high-end tequila at a warehouse price.

Glazer claims that this representation allowed Costco to overcharge customers by creating the illusion of luxury and purity. The complaint says the company profited from this deception, violating both consumer protection laws and basic labeling standards.

She alleges that Costco knew or should have known that its tequila did not meet the legal definition of 100% agave yet continued to advertise it that way.

Similar False Labeling Claims Filed Against Other Tequila Makers

The case adds to a growing number of lawsuits against spirits companies accused of exaggerating purity claims in the tequila industry. In September, a complaint was filed against Cinco Spirits Group, which produces Cincoro Tequila, alleging that its luxury bottles are marketed as “100% Blue Weber Agave” even though testing suggested otherwise.

Earlier this year, beverage giant Diageo was also sued over its Casamigos and Don Julio brands. Plaintiffs in that case allege the tequilas were falsely labeled as pure agave products while containing alcohol from cheaper non-agave sources. 

Both lawsuits claim these practices violate labeling laws in Mexico and the United States, where authenticity and origin claims are strictly regulated.

Glazer’s lawsuit asks the court to require Costco to correct its labeling and advertising practices for Kirkland Signature Tequila. She is also requesting an injunction that would prohibit Costco from using the “100% Blue Weber Agave” claim unless it can be verified through production records and ingredient testing.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Glazer v. Costco Wholesale Corp.
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-25057
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Plaintiffs' Attorney

• Daniel S. Maland, Robert M. Stein, and Sandra E. Mejia (Rennert Vogel Mandler & Rodriguez, P.A.)

Have you bought Kirkland Signature Tequila? Share your opinion about the lawsuit in the comments below.