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.”
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.)
About Robb Vices Subscription Box
The Subscription Box: Robb Vices
The Cost: $99.95 + shipping (For reference, shipping to PA is $7.95.) Save with longer subscriptions.
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 ships to all states except ND, UT.
Robb Vices "Classic Vices" May 2018 Review
One thing I like about this subscription is that it always comes with a very thorough booklet of information about its curation, the featured brands/artisans, and how to use the products themselves.
This month, the subscription is turning back to its roots with "classic vices" that feel as refined as they are indulgent. The mini magazine highlights each brand in the box with lush photos and thoughtful essays on what makes them unique.
One of the featured brands in the booklet is New York Prime Beef, though there's no actual product from them in the box. There is, however, a coupon for 25% off their meats. I eat a mostly vegetarian diet, but I know a few folks who would get some good use out of this coupon!
Glass Vodka, 750 ml
This unique vodka is made from grapes from Washington state. It's naturally filtered and arrives inside this distinctive glass bottle! I couldn't find a reliable price for it online, as it looks like something that's only available locally in Seattle. I'm not an expert in vodkas, but I can attest to its smooth finish and that it has an intriguing note of something sweetly floral.
Zwilling 8-Piece Steak Knife Set and Presentation Box - Retail Value $79.99
I don't think I've ever owned a nice set of really good steak knives (though I don't really have the occasion to use them very often, haha). These will be handy if I have guests over and serve up meat for them, though. Or, because these high-quality German-made knives are packaged so nicely, they'd also make a snazzy hostess or housewarming gift for a gourmand in my life.
3 Carillo Cigars (Natural, Oscuro, and Core Plus)
Something about cigars feels inherently Robb Vices, haha. It's just so luxurious! These cigars come from Carillo, which is a famed brand of Dominican cigars. I'm less well-versed in cigars than I am vodka, but I can say that each of these cigars smells rich and earthy. I picked up a slight fruitiness from the "Natural" one that I found the most intriguing. The other two are denser and more reminiscent of coffee or very dark chocolate in my opinion.
Boveda 2-Way Humidity Control 69% Pack - Buy 10, 8 Gram Packs for $12.99 here
One of these little packets was included with the three pack of cigars to regulate their humidity. These packets use a patented film that regulates humidity with zero maintenance or activation required. I thought it was interesting that they offer packets for a bunch of different products, from cigars to musical instruments!
Boveda Small Humidor Bag - Retail Value $5.99
This little bag works like a mini humidor. It's technically a "high-barrier laminated cigar storage bag" according to the website, and it comes pre-loaded with a 69% Boveda packet. Apparently, this bag can keep your cigars in solid shape for up to a year. Not bad!
Dirty Sue Premium Olive Juice, 375 ml - Retail Value $8.99
UPDATE: I was so excited to get this review up that I forgot to mention the olive juice! This bottle of premium olive juice is made in California and ready for your next dirty martini. I have to say, I am NOT a dirty martini fan, as olive juice is just a bit too briny for my taste. So this ingredient? Eh, not the most exciting thing for me to see in a box. But I do think it makes perfect sense that they'd include it to complement to the vodka!
Verdict: I feel like when I first heard about Robb Vices, this was exactly the kind of stuff I pictured. Unique alcohol, fancy cigars... it's upscale and very vice-y! I will say that it's hard for me to speak to the quality of these items for that very reason—I don't frequently indulge in vices like these, so I can't speak very well to how the cigars stack up to other types or brands, but I can say that I feel super fancy with all of these treats in my kitchen. Even the knives, which were one of the few products I could find a reliable online price for, seem to be super high-quality. The three items for which I could find individual prices for added up to $94.97, which is about 84% of the cost of the box. That value doesn't include the bottle of vodka, nor the cigars, so I feel like there's a good chance that the box is worth at least it's cost (though I can't say for certain).
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. Sign up by the 1st of the month to receive that month's box.
Value Breakdown: This box cost $112.90 (cost + shipping to us in PA). The three products that I found individual retail values for totaled $94.97, meaning the remaining items (the humidor packet, the three cigars, and the vodka) must have a retail value of at least $17.93 to make up the remaining cost of the box. Another way to look at it is that going by the cost of the box, each item has an average value of $18.82.
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What do you think of the May 2018 box from Robb Vices?
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