Facebook PixelFlaviar New Speakeasy Subscription Box Review - March 2016 | MSA
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

Flaviar New Speakeasy Subscription Box Review – March 2016

Lindsey Morse
ByLindsey MorseMar 24, 2016 | 13 comments

Flaviar-March2-2016-Box

Flaviar
3.5 overall rating
11 Ratings | 0 Reviews

Flaviar introduces subscribers to premium liquors from around the world.

Flaviar-March2-2016-Inside

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

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-March2-2016-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-March2-2016-Papers

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

Flaviar-March2-2016-Packaging1

Flaviar recently changed their subscription model, and this is my first time reviewing one of the new 3-vial spirit packs. (Previously, I was sent tasting packs with 5-vials of spirits.)

Flaviar-March2-2016-Packaging2

They’ve modified their old packaging by covering up two of the vial holes with cardboard circles. On one hand, I think this is pretty clever. On the other, though, I think it draws attention to the fact that the packs used to be fuller. I think I would have preferred new packaging.

The theme for this tasting pack is “Up In Smoke.” Previously this month, I reviewed the 5-vial version of this tasting pack. You can find that review here.

Flaviar-March2-2016-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.

Verdict: Flaviar always does a wonderful job curating their tasting packs. Sadly, though, I’m disappointed with the recent changes to their subscription. Previously, Flaviar cost $39.99 per month for a tasting pack with 5 different spirits. Now, Flaviar costs $60 per quarter for a tasting pack with only three vials of spirits. The new membership plan also includes online content, shipping discounts on bottles purchased through the Flaviar site, and access to exclusive bottlings, but, for me, I don’t think this is enough to justify the hefty increase in price. As it now stands, the price breaks down to $20 per spirit vial, which is hard to justify. There may be some die hard liquor fans who still find value in this subscription, but I fear Flaviar has priced their box out of the market.

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

Starting at $80.00
Subscribe Now

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. 


Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

13 comments

Theresa

Looks like it is indeed only one shipment each quarter. This is directly from Flaviar service:

Thank you so much for contacting us. For the price of Speakeasy Membership ($60 per quarter/three months) you will get:

– 1 tasting box with 3 samples (45 ml or 1.5 oz) per quarter/three months. You can sit back, do nothing and enjoy in our suggested tasting box (default option) or you can choose any other tasting box from our current selection. The tasting box includes bottle descriptions and tasting notes.
– one free shipping per month
– access to special bottle deals, the finest spirits from all over the world
– access to private label bottling, orphan barrels
– professionally curated content
– entertainment and education (School of Spirits, newsletter, blog, exclusive interviews)
– School of Spirits (email course on most popular types of spirits and how to taste them)
– special events (giveaways etc.)
– tasting events (if organised in your city/town)
– a vibrant community of like-minded individuals exchanging opinion and reviews
– access to 15k+ bottle profiles with full flavour profiles
– Flavour Spiral which will help you to visualise taste profiles
– keep a tab on your home bar

You will be able to customise your membership experience and even more. We will come up with new ways to cater to our Members each month.

I believe this is a great value for the price and we will be happy to have you join us as a Speakeasy Member.

If you require anything else, please, let me know, I will be glad to assist you.

Cheers,
Valerie
Your Flavour Concierge

Reply ButtonReply

Amy

It’s now $60 per QUARTER, or $20 a month. It used to be $40 for 5 vials, now it’s $20 for 3 vials. That’s actually not an increase in price at all. It’s half the price for 3/5 the content.

Reply ButtonReply

Anthony

It’s actually a bit cheaper now. $6.67 per vial now, versus $8.00 per vial before.

Reply ButtonReply

Stephen Bleezarde

No, you only get one 3 vial tasting pack per quarter; not one each month.

Reply ButtonReply

Anna

It’s only one shipment per quarter is what I understand

Reply ButtonReply

Lindsey

Hi Amy,

I believe tasting packs will be sent once per quarter, not once per month.

From the Flaviar site: “Each quarter you will receive a themed Tasting Box, such as Gin O’Clock, Star Spangled Bourbon or Whiskies of Asia with 3 x 1.5oz samples to taste some amazing spirits.”

Reply ButtonReply

Theresa

I have actually seen both prices listed. When I search for Flaviar price I have at least one result that says three vials a month for $60/ quarter AND $60/ quarter with a shipment once per quarter. I’ve emailed their service team for clarification. If I receive a response I will be sure to post it.

Hannah

wow, what a huge change in value, i wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of people subscribing to this cancel. i mean, i live in vegas and i can drink more cheaply and fully on the strip for 60??? i get that it’s a ‘tasting’ subscription but $20 for little more than a single shot of liquor is ridiculous.

Reply ButtonReply

Dawn S

So its $60 for 3 shots of booze? I mean I am sure its super nice but you can go to a posh bar and get more for less. This just seems like such a rip off, or is it just me?

Reply ButtonReply

Julia

Agree with Dawn. $20 for a jigger of spirits. You can a shot of spirits in a bar for much less. Ridiculous!

Reply ButtonReply

Sarah

i was wondering how many drinks does each little vial make ?

Reply ButtonReply

Lindsey

Each vial is 1.5 oz. (1.5 oz. is the size of a shot.)

Reply ButtonReply