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Flaviar Subscription Box Review – February 2016

Lindsey Morse
ByLindsey MorseMar 1, 2016 | 3 comments

Flaviar-February-2016-Box

Flaviar
3.5 overall rating
11 Ratings | 0 Reviews

Flaviar introduces subscribers to premium liquors from around the world.

Flaviar-February-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.

Flaviar-February-2016-Inside2

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-February-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)

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

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.

Flaviar-February-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-February-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-February-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 Best of 2015 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-February-2016-Papers

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

Flaviar-February-2016-AllSpirits

Gin Mare

The bottles included in the Best of 2015 Tasting Pack are Flaviar’s “best drams of the year.” The Flaviar community sipped and rated lots of bottles in 2015, and these are some of their top picks.

I first sampled Gin Mare in the “Ori-gins” tasting pack, and I really enjoyed it. It’s distilled in Spain, just outside the small fishing village of Vilanova. In addition to the traditional botanicals used to flavor gin, it’s also flavored with basil, rosemary, thyme, orange, and olive.

Prichard's Rye Whiskey

Prichard’s Rye Whiskey is made in Tennessee and offers “both the sweet and sour side of Rye.” It’s very sweet with “silky flavors of dark chocolate, toffee, [and] vanilla.”

Kavalan Whisky Single Malt

I’m a little surprised to see that the winner in the whisky category is from Taiwan, but the reviews speak for themselves. Words like “wonderful,” “perfect,” and “incredible” pop up in nearly every one, and the critics seem to agree with the Flaviar community. This bottle was named Best in Class at the 2011 International Wine & Spirit Competition and also won a gold medal at the 2013 Beverage Tasting Institute. The flavor is described as spicy, creamy, woody, and fruity.

Zafra 21 Year Old Master Reserve Rum

Flaviar’s winner in the rum category is Zafra 21 Year Old Master Reserve Rum. It’s made in Panama and matures for at least 21 years in ex-bourbon barrels. It’s a smooth rum with flavors of toffee, molasses, cherries, vanilla, and oak.

Lecat XO Memoire Cognac

Last up in this tasting pack is Lecat XO Memoire Cognac, which I sampled in the “Le Cognac” tasting pack I reviewed last month. It’s rich and deep with flavors of “wood, orange zest, vanilla, and dark chocolate.” It’s full-bodied and the best cognac I think I’ve ever had.

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.

Do you like trying spirits from around the world? Have you tried Flaviar?

Starting at $80.00
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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.

Lindsey Morse
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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3 comments

Kimberly

This is a subscription that I’ve been looking up, but they just priced themselves out of my budget. I mean, really? they have jumped in price from $8 a sample to $20 a sample? I don’t know how they feel that this is going to be successful for them

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Marcus

Kimberly, the cost was actually $120 over the course of the same time, meaning the dram was actually $24 each. You are not paying for just the drams, but the access to other items.

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Kate

Am I missing something, or is this supposed to be insanely expensive? I would love to sample liquors and even get smaller bottles, since we aren’t heavy cocktail drinkers. But I can buy a bottle of Prichard’s Rye for $45 – that comes out to about 25 ounces or so, putting the price per ounce at $1.80. Getting 3 1.5oz samples at $60 means I’m paying over $13 per ounce. Ridiculous.

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