Robb Vices is “a membership program centered on a monthly delivery of storied treasures.” Each month, they send a collection of curated products and/or experiences.
Subscribers should expect boxes to include “vices” like “exceptional wines and spirits to enjoy, foods to taste, tools, toys, accessories, and gadgets.”
Items are packed securely in laser-cut foam.
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.)
The Subscription Box: Robb Vices
The Cost: $74.95 + shipping (For reference, shipping to DC is $7.95.)
The Products: Each box contains a curated selection of products and experiences and provides subscribers with a taste of the good life!
Ships to: Robb Vices is no longer accepting new members from the following states: AL, DE, KY, MA, MS, ND, SD, and UT.. (Note that current subscribers in these states will be able to continue their subscriptions, but that no new subscriptions in these states will be accepted.)
Check out all of our Robb Vices Reviews and find other specialty boxes in the Artisan Subscription Box Directory!
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With each shipment, Robb Vices sends out a glossy booklet that outlines the products and curation story of each box.
This month’s box is all about spice!
Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur (750 ml.)- $34.99
This month’s box was absolutely packed full of items, but this large bottle of chile liqueur caught my eye right away. I’ve never tried chile liqueur before, but my mind immediately started racing with possibilities and ideas for how to use it. Margaritas! Frozen daiquiris! Robb Vices included a couple of their own ideas and cocktail recipes, as well as some small bottles of liquor to aid in the cocktail making:
Reyka Icelandic Vodka (50 ml.)- $3.99
Flor de Caña Gran Reserva (50 ml.)- $3.99
Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey (50 ml.)- $3.29
These little mini bottles include: Reyka Icelandic Vodka, Flor de Caña 7 Year Old Gran Reserva Rum, and Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey.
I used the Flor de Caña 7 Year Old Gran Reserva Rum and Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur to make an Ancho Daiquiri, one of the suggested drinks:
In addition to the rum and chile liqueur, this recipe utilizes lime juice and Royal Rose Three Chile Syrup, which was also included in this box (and is showcased further down in the review). This cocktail was so interesting! It was tangy, sweet, smoky, and a little spicy. I think this would be an absolutely perfect cocktail for Cinqo de Mayo! (Bring on the chips and salsa!)
Serious Cheesy Puffs Sriracha Cheddar (3 oz.)- $5.67
Next up, I sampled these cheddar corn puffs. Here’s a close up of them:
I love sriracha, so these puffs are right up my alley! I never think of sriracha as being super spicy, but these puffs pack a healthy punch of heat. The flavor is great, and I love that these are made without genetically modified ingredients. I have a feeling that they won’t last long in my house.
No. 5 NW Elixirs Hott Jolokia Ghost Pepper (9 oz.)- $12
A spicy box wouldn’t be complete without some hot sauce, so Robb Vices included this ghost pepper elixir. Interestingly, this sauce is made by aging ghost peppers in rum barrels from Portland’s Bull Run Distillery. The aging process helps this sauce absorb the flavor of the rum and gives it an island vibe. It’s really tasty… and VERY spicy! I love that there’s a sweetness that helps balance out the spice.
Hank Sauce Cilanktro Hot Sauce (8 oz.)- $14
… and here’s another hot sauce! This one is made with fresh cilantro, which adds a surprising freshness to the flavor. Whereas the NW Elixirs hot sauce is sweet and spicy, I’d describe this one as fresh and tangy. Cilanktro can be used on salads, over vegetables, and as a marinade for shrimp and fish. I’m a big fan of this sauce— I tried adding it to guacamole, and I really enjoyed how it amped up the flavor.
Royal Rose Three Chile Simple Syrup (8 oz.)- $11.50
I’ve tried a number of Royal Rose Syrups before, but this one is new to me. It’s made with fresh poblanos, jalapeños, and dried ancho chiles, and it’s sweet, spicy, and smoky. I used it to make the Ancho Daiquiri (featured above), and I can’t wait to experiment with it and try it in some other cocktails!
Righteous Felon Habanero Escobar Beef Jerky (2 oz.)- $9.99
Righteous Felon is another brand I know and like, and I’ve actually had this jerky before. I’m a fan of spicy jerky, and this one is great. There’s definitely a good bit of heat to it, but the spice is balanced out with just enough sweetness. The heat does build as you eat it, though.
Little Bird Dark Chocolate Fire Bark with Crushed Candied Jalapeños (1.5 oz.)- $6.99
Speaking of spice that builds, this chocolate is not for the weak at heart! I thought that “candied jalapeno” might mean that this chocolate has a mellow, sweet jalapeño flavor, but the spice level is higher than I anticipated.
It’s delicious, but I had to take a break after I ate my first piece in order to let the fire extinguish a little before going back for piece number two. Even though it’s spicy, there’s a nice balance of flavor— I get a little sweetness, a little saltiness, and a nice creaminess from the chocolate.
Melissa’s Dried Oaxaca Chiles (1 oz.)- $5.83
The last two items in this box are a couple of dried chiles from Melissa’s.
The first one is a large jar of dried oaxaca chiles, and Robb Vices included a recipe for Oaxaca Chile-Rubbed Bone-In Rib Eye Steaks.
Melissa’s Ghost Peppers (.25 oz)- $3.93
The next dried chile, Melissa’s Ghost Peppers, kicks up the spice level a little bit. The booklet actually comes with the following warning: “Ghost peppers are extremely hot. Handle with care.”
Robb Vices recommends using these peppers to make Ghost Pepper Veggie Soup with Kale. I think I’ll give the soup a try, but I may try and pick up some disposable gloves before I try handling these puppies!
Verdict: I had a lot of fun with this box, and I enjoyed trying so many different spicy products! Robb Vices has a knack for curating boxes that almost always feel unique and surprising, and this box is no exception. The retail value of the items in this month’s box comes to just over $116. As far as Robb Vices Boxes go, that’s on the lower end of what I’ve come to expect, but it’s still well above the subscription cost, so I’m pleased!
What do you think of this box from Robb Vices?
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