Costco's hot dog-inspired bourbon triggers buying frenzy with $1,000 resale prices
Costco's famous $1.50 hot dog combo may have inspired an unexpected new spin-off — a bottle of bourbon that sold out within hours.
The bottle, called "I Got That Dog in Me," is a Rare Character single-barrel bourbon featuring Costco's food court hot dog and soda combo on the label.
Limited to one per membership, the bottle was released at a Washington, D.C.-area store, where it quickly drew attention from both bourbon enthusiasts and Costco fans.
Priced at $85.99, the limited-release bottle was listed at 126.1 proof and aged 11 years and four months, according to photos shared on social media.
Rare Character confirmed details about the release to Fox News Digital.
"It was one single barrel only and sold out in hours," Las Vegas-based co-founder Pete Nevenglosky told Fox News Digital.
"This particular bottle was for the D.C. team only, though we have done some bottlings for the L.A. region of Costco also," Nevenglosky said. "Future plans are in the works to expand."
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The product's meme-driven branding helped fuel the frenzy, tapping into online culture and Costco's loyal fan base.
"Got that dog in me" is a slang phrase often used to describe someone with grit and heart; it's used in sports and internet culture.
Some called the branding "genius" and "clever," while one Redditor proclaimed, "That label is just perfect."
The hot dog-themed label itself originated with Costco's D.C. team, Nevenglosky said.
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Rare Character is known for high-proof, limited-release bourbons and ryes that have gained a strong following among collectors.
"Our single barrel series is driven by unique whiskeys that are always rotating along with a custom artwork component," he said. "We have partnered with thousands of retailers, restaurants and whiskey clubs, with every barrel having its own unique label."
Photos of the bottle spread across Reddit forums, with users sharing location tips, joking about the label and lamenting they missed out on the drop.
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One Reddit poster said the bottle had sold out by around 9:45 a.m. the day after it hit shelves — while others noted it was never listed on the app.
Someone who claimed to have gotten his or her hands on the bottle declared it was "the crowning achievement of [their] Costco alcohol purchases."
Others said that, despite the novelty label, the bourbon itself was high-quality — and did not taste like hot dogs.
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One Redditor described the whiskey as having notes of oak, marshmallow and spice, while another wrote that the bottle was "really good" and praised its long finish.
"Happy for you and annoyed with my local Costco stores all at the same time," commented one Redditor who wasn't as lucky.
"I went today looking for one in DC, to no avail," said another.
"I'd buy this in a heartbeat," said someone else.
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The bottle's scarcity has added to the buzz, with some posters claiming resale offers have already climbed far above retail, ranging from $500 to $1,000.
Others were less convinced, with one user writing, "Funny but in no way does this make me want to drink this."
"People love Costco hot dogs that much?" another asked.
Still, the rapid sellout and resale surge suggest demand for similar novelty releases is likely to continue as Rare Character explores future expansions.