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Not every U.S. state lets supermarkets sell hard liquor. So if you have a chance to pick up a bottle of vodka just a few aisles down from a jar of vodka sauce, you should make the most of it. Some grocery chains actually take this perk a step further by stocking their own affordable store-brand spirits. Of the private-label liquors you should and shouldn't purchase at Sam's Club, the Member's Mark American Vodka is a definite "should." Considering its high quality and low price point (a 1.74-liter bottle typically costs between $12 and $16), the spirit has left some shoppers wondering about its production.

There are plenty of big-name brands hiding behind the Member's Mark label. But when it comes to the vodka, you don't have to search far to discover its actual producer. The product lists I.W.A. Distilling Company right on the label (albeit in fine print). Based in Louisville, Kentucky, I.W.A. Distilling is an alternate trading name of Buffalo Trace Distillery, which claims to be the "oldest continuously operating distillery in America." Though the award-winning operation is primarily known for its bourbon, I.W.A. appears to serve as its production arm for bargain and private-label spirits, including the Sam's Club vodka.

What's more, Buffalo Trace itself is a subsidiary of the Sazerac Company. In fact, the parent entity's connection to Member's Mark vodka has been previously confirmed in such documents as this 2023 report for the Mississippi's state legislature. With more than 450 brands under its belt, Sazerac is one of the biggest alcohol makers on the planet. Given the different booze giants involved, one would imagine there are high standards across the board.

Even vodka connoisseurs are impressed by Member's Mark quality

Two martini glasses with clear spirits and lemon twists

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The Member's Mark American Vodka is 80 proof and six times distilled, making it as strong as it is smooth. That means it's a solid option for a classic vodka martini (whether you like it shaken or stirred) or any other cocktail that calls for a clean, mellow finish. Needless to say, the liquor has acquired quite a fan club amongst bargain- (and vodka-) loving Sam's Club sippers. 

In the r/vodka subreddit, one Reddit user expressed pleased disbelief at its quality and value. "Took a chance on Sam's Club Members Mark Vodka and I am blown away," they raved. "$14 for a 1.75L and incredibly smooth." In response to this endorsement, two other Redditors replied comparing it favorably to Tito's brand vodka. "To me, it's just as good as Tito's for half the price." It even won over one self-proclaimed "vodka snob" who previously stuck to high-end brands. In the review section on the bottle's product page, they explained, "[We] decided, after our satisfaction with other Member's Mark products, to give it a try. Now this is the only vodka in our house." 

Member's Mark also offers a beloved French Vodka that's been called "Every bit as good as Grey Goose." We know that it hails from "the rolling hills of France," and according to the previously mentioned report for Mississippi's legislature, the Sazerac Company is behind that beverage, too.