Flaviar Subscription Box Review – March 2016

ByLindsey MorseMar 12, 2016 | 13 comments

Flaviar-March-2016-Box

Flaviar introduces subscribers to premium liquors from around the world.

Flaviar-March-2016-Inside

They curate and send sample packs that allow subscribers to sample various spirits before committing to the purchase of a full-sized bottle.

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This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

Flaviar-March-2016-Contents

The Subscription Box: Flaviar

The Cost: $60 per quarter

The Products: Quarterly curated tasting packs that contain 3 x 1.5 oz. vials of premium spirits from around the world.

Ships to: EU and US (All states EXCEPT: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Utah)

A Note about Shipping: Tasting packs ship from Slovenia. Shipping is free for the tasting packs, but they typically take 10-21 business days to reach US destinations.

Check out all of our Flaviar box reviews and the Drinks Subscription Box Directory!

Flaviar-March-2016-Membership

Flaviar has recently changed their subscription model and pricing. Their new subscription program is called the “Flaviar Speakeasy” and costs $60 per quarter.

Flaviar-March-2016-MembershipPacks

Every quarter, subscribers receive a themed tasting pack that features 3 x 1.5 oz. vials of spirits.

Flaviar Speakeasy members will also receive personalized bottle recommendations, access to exclusive bottlings, and free shipping.

Flaviar-March-2016-MembershipJoin

If you sign up for a new Flaviar subscription, you will be enrolled in the Flaviar Speakeasy program.

This review is of the “Up in Smoke” Tasting Pack. This pack is no longer available for sale, and this box is not representative of what you will receive if you sign up for a new Flaviar subscription.

If you would like to purchase a one-time tasting pack, prices start at $40.99 and packs can be found here.

Flaviar-March-2016-Papers

My tasting pack included tasting instructions and notes on each spirit included in the box.

Flaviar-March-2016-AllSpirits

Chase English Oak Smoked Vodka

The Chase Distillery was founded by Williams Chase, an English potato farmer with a passion for creating premium potato vodka, gin, cider, wine, and flavored liqueur. To give the vodka its smoky flavor, they place water inside a smoke house for five days and then use it to make vodka. This provides a light, natural smokiness that makes this vodka a great addition to cocktails like Bloody Marys and Dirty Martinis.

La Escondida Mezcal

This top-quality Mexican spirit is made from 100% Espadin “blue” agave and slow roasted over wood and lava stones. It’s oak-aged and is herby, smoky, peppery, zesty, and sweet.

Ardmore Legacy

Considering the theme of this tasting pack, it’s no surprise to see a Scotch whisky included! Ardmore Legacy is a lightly plated Scotch with notes of apple, toffee, citrus, and coffee. I love peaty whisky (the smokier the better!), and I think this has a great balance of smoke and flavor.

Corsair Triple Smoke

Corsair Triple Smoke is an American bourbon that uses three fractions of malted barley that are smoked over cherry wood, peat, and beechwood. This mix is the result of relentless experimenting (peat is commonly used in Scotch and beechwood in German Rauchbier), and the resulting flavor is unique and interesting.

Hammerle Vom Ganz Gutem Enzian Reserve

This spirit is a smoked brandy made from gentian roots picked below in the Alps. They provide “earthy, leathery, and smoky tones” and give this brandy a “thick, crisp, and lightly spicy [flavor] with a sweet pear zing.”

Verdict: I’m always impressed with Flaviar’s packaging, and I think they do a wonderful job curating their tasting packs. I have some concerns about the shift in price and value in the new Flaviar Speakeasy program (when I first started reviewing Flaviar, the price was $39.99 per month for a 5 vial tasting pack, whereas the new model is $60 per quarter for a 3 vial tasting pack), but I’m going to reserve judgement until I’ve sampled the new subscription firsthand.

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Flaviar

3.5 overall rating

11 Ratings | 0 Reviews

Flaviar is a subscription service that introduces members to premium liquors from distillers around the world. When you sign up for a subscription, you begin by telling Flaviar what kind of alcohol you like to drink. You can choose from the following: single malt scotch whisky, bourbon & rye,... read more.

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Lindsey Morse

Lindsey is a professional baker, cold brew coffee addict, and rosé aficionado who loves writing about food and wine. When she’s not sharing her love of subscription boxes with the world, you’ll find her in the podcasting studio, perfecting her cake decorating techniques, or cursing her way through the New York Times daily crossword puzzle.

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13 comments

Dbweldon

First, after 2 months when I wanted to cancel my $210 yearly membership they refused to refund a single penny.
Second, their discounts are very small. Costco is much better.
Third, their tasting samples are way too expensive.
Fourth, their shipping is hit and miss. Avoid Flaviar!

Nico

It’s an online community of sorts and not a subscription service. You pay their subscription fees for the chance to buy small tasting boxes at questionable market prices and to be allowed to purchase from their online shop. The packaging and accompanying materials that are included with purchases are very well made and expertly/humorously written (they have someone there who’s adept in prose), and they seem to be knowledgeable and capable in the world of tasting and spirits. If you’d like to subscribe to an online resource, and accompanying community and exclusive shop, then this is for you. If you’re looking for a monthly drinks box, like I was, then this isn’t it. Sadly, Flaviar’s “marketing” is ambiguous and vague (maybe on purpose) on this state-of-affairs, thereby snagging unsuspecting monthly-box subscribers like myself.

Nico

It’s a complete rip-off and I just cancelled my membership. It’s an online community of sorts and not a subscription service. You pay their subscription fees for the chance to buy small tasting boxes at questionable market prices and to be allowed to purchase from their online shop. The packaging and accompanying materials that are included with purchases are very well made and expertly/humorously written (they have someone there who’s adept in prose), and they seem to be knowledgeable and capable in the world of tasting and spirits. If you’d like to subscribe to an online resource, and accompanying community and exclusive shop, then this is for you. If you’re looking for a monthly drinks box, like I was, then this isn’t it. Sadly, Flaviar’s “marketing” is ambiguous and vague (maybe on purpose) on this state-of-affairs, thereby snagging unsuspecting monthly-box subscribers like myself.

BAM

Three are sent every month… the bill is simply CHARGED quarterly. It’s a monthly subscription — $20 for three vials.
Alternatively, you can purchase a full year’s membership for $210, cutting the price to effectively $17.50 a month for three samples.

Jon

They do not send one tasting box per month…they send a tasting box per quarter which makes the cost $60…total rip off.

Michael

“One complimentary box per quarter” per their website

nursermk

I think the new system will price themselves out of the market. The five vials for $39.99 would be inclusive for those who want to try this sort of thing at a reasonable cost and can be shared a bit. But three small vials for $60 bucks? There is a bit of markup on costs but c’mon!

Ann

1.5 oz of liquor for 20 dollars? Am I reading that correctly? That seems insane, IMHO.

Jaime

That’s what I was thinking also! If you get 3x 1.5 oz bottles for $60, then that is $20 for 1 tiny 1.5 oz bottle. I don’t care how great any of it is, $60 for 4.5 oz of liquor is nuts!

Jen

If you read the article, it’s $60 per quarter, which is $20 per month. Each month you get three 1.5 oz vials. It’s very high-end alcohol, and we’ve found it to be well worth the money. We still get the five vials, though, but new subscribers don’t have that option.

Marie-Claire

I believe it is three, 1.5 vials. My husband received a few months as a a gift for his birthday. Each vial had enough for at least one drink. It is a bit pricey, but the liquor he got was was very high end. We aren’t really big drinkers, but he enjoys having a drink now and then. This gave him the opportunity to sample some different brands that he would not have purchased at full price before deciding if he wanted to invest in a larger bottle.
I am not sure if that helps.

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Flaviar Subscription Box Review – March 2016

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