Costco's Hot Dog-Inspired Bourbon Sells Out in Hours

Limited-release bottle from Rare Character featuring Costco's iconic $1.50 food court combo sparks buying frenzy with $1,000 resale prices.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:52pm

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A rare bourbon from Rare Character inspired by Costco's famous $1.50 hot dog and soda combo reportedly sold out within hours at a Washington, D.C.-area Costco store. Priced at $85.99, the 126.1 proof, 11-year-aged single-barrel bourbon featured Costco's food court hot dog on the label and quickly drew attention from bourbon enthusiasts and Costco fans alike, with some resale offers reaching up to $1,000.

Why it matters

The rapid sellout and high resale prices for this limited-edition Costco-themed bourbon highlight the strong brand loyalty and collectible appeal around the retailer's iconic food court items, especially its $1.50 hot dog combo. This release taps into Costco's devoted fan base and the growing trend of novelty food and beverage products that leverage pop culture references and meme-worthy branding.

The details

The bourbon, called "I Got That Dog in Me," was a single-barrel release from Rare Character that was only available at a Washington, D.C.-area Costco store. Rare Character co-founder Pete Nevenglosky confirmed the bottle sold out in hours after its release, with plans to expand the concept to other Costco regions in the future. The label design, which originated from Costco's D.C. team, featured the retailer's food court hot dog and soda combo, playing off the slang phrase "got that dog in me" to describe someone with grit and heart.

  • The limited-edition bourbon was released at a Washington, D.C.-area Costco store on April 1, 2026.
  • The bottle reportedly sold out by around 9:45 a.m. the day after it hit shelves.

The players

Rare Character

A Las Vegas-based company known for high-proof, limited-release bourbons and ryes that have gained a strong following among collectors.

Pete Nevenglosky

The co-founder of Rare Character who confirmed details about the Costco-themed bourbon release.

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What’s next

Rare Character plans to expand the Costco-themed bourbon concept to other regions beyond the initial Washington, D.C. release.

The takeaway

This limited-edition Costco hot dog-inspired bourbon highlights the power of the retailer's iconic food court items and their ability to drive strong brand loyalty and collectible interest, even in the premium spirits market. The success of this release suggests Rare Character and other brands will likely continue exploring similar novelty food and beverage products that leverage Costco's devoted fan base.