Flaviar

When I signed up for Flaviar, I read about it to see what’s included in the $60 quarterly subscription price. My understanding (since they say it’s $20 per month billed quarterly) is that each month, you’re sent a tasting box of three vials of spirits. Once I signed up and received my disappointing “welcome box" made up of spirits that I didn’t want, I went on their (poorly made) app to see how to get what I wanted next month. Here’s when I found out, that you only get one tasting box. FOR 60 DOLLARS. That’s $20 for each 1.5oz vial in the tasting box. After your ONE box, your subscription is only good for occasional free shipping and discounted prices on spirits through Flaviar.

In closing, I immediately canceled my subscription, and think that Flaviar’s advertising is misleading. Their subscription is way overpriced for what you get.

Pros: Nice packaging, each spirit vial comes with a coaster outlining its flavor profile in a clear and understandable way. Customer service is decent.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I was not pleased with this company. The items I received were not based on the profile I submitted. Taste sample items were not clearly labeled, making it hard to tell what you were about to drink. First two tastings of three in my sample were of liquors I absolutely detest drinking. Prices are higher than my local store. Plus when I contacted them to request a refund after receiving the above tasting box was told no refund would be granted. No prorated refunds are allowed as they only have a 3-day grace period. Really hard to determine if you like a service when you get nothing in the first three days. I would not recommend this to anyone!

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Flaviar sells their membership (at a high price) as high end for those with discriminating taste and then cut all kinds of corners to get the cheapest possible shipping with long ship times, poor tracking, the inability to redirect to a hold location (I can't take off work to wait for liquor). This is bad customer service and does not invoke customer loyalty. This approach causes me to question what benefit am actually receiving from the high cost. Note, it did not start out this way but now feels like they are harshly cutting corners to save money.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

If you live in the bourbon bubble then this may not be for you. Most things I can buy cheaper locally. There are some rarities where prices are cheaper for some reason. If you want liquor from smaller distillers then this might be for you. They carry big brands too but you can probably get it locally.

Free shipping is the only real perk that I enjoyed and they kept messing that up and I would have to contact them and get them to reset it. One time this happened while trying to get the Flaviar barrel pick of Woodford Double oaked. By the time they fixed it the bottles were sold out.

If they sell out that fast they should do more picks. My other bourbon club has probably done 10 barrel picks in the last year of whiskey and usually they sell out in a month unless the shipping is ridiculous. So if that was the case here then it would be worth being a member.

The samples are so limited in choice and often very cheap bottles are paired with more expensive ones in a tasting box so the value isn’t what it seems usually, especially if you calculate it per ounce. There are trustworthy Facebook groups where you can get samples cheaper and of harder to find stuff and get it shipped.

Customer service has been fairly quick to deal with issues but I would expect these things to be automated more like my free shipping being automatically credited back to my account so I can order something else.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Flaviar is a really great concept with a cool design full of personality and a somewhat unique offering. Their support team is also very kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. However, when the service costs as much as it does and the bottles offered for sale only occasionally cost the same as stores in my area, but actually typically more (and more by about $5 - $30 for bottles in the $30 - 80 range), it makes it difficult to recommend signing up and staying on for longer than a promo period. I signed up during a promo period where it was $60 for the first quarter (down from $90) and I was able to get a bottle and tasting box. I could possibly justify this service at $60 but just barely, and the bottles offered are still far more expensive. I recommend trying this service but keep the price in mind and, I hate to say it, but, you may do better simply purchasing bottles and not having the same cool experience. I do really like Flaviar and want them to succeed and really hope they understand this review is meant to help and enlighten them. Good luck going forward!

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Three weeks on and still have to see my first small 3/4 liter bottle that I ordered. They keep saying that it was shipped and I should get it next week but that was two weeks ago. They refused to provide tracking/shipping info to me. It is not worth the wait. For the price I will head to my Class Six or local ABC and make special orders. Not worth the headache if you know what you want.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I have waited nearly six weeks and still my item has not arrived. If it is lost in the post office, then they tell me nothing more than that. Customer service is appalling. They really don't seem to care at all.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I ordered three bottles of rum July 31, 2014. I received one bottle almost 5 weeks later. I emailed Flaviar. They responded September 11th saying I should receive my shipment of the other two bottles shortly. I still have not had a response to any of the emails I sent since, nor any shipments. Today is November 18th. I would like to have a response or refund after this extended period of time.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Over two months since my purchase, customer service will no reply to emails and no shipping details given. I'm really disappointed with the whole experience. I would recommend that you avoid this website at all costs. There are loads of reputable and dedicated whisky sites out there and this is not one of them unfortunately.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Bought a bottle of single malt, two months later it still hadn't arrived after assurances it had been sent. No response to my emails. I can only echo other people's sentiments on various websites and assume that this company is either completely inept or that it is just a scam.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I purchased a bottle on 11/15/2014. This week having heard nothing I tried to email the company. My password would not work so twice I asked for a new one and finally one worked. Their reply was a rep would contact me. Several days later I tried to email them and my password did not work. This morning I contacted the fraud department of American Express. They have refunded my money while the check this transaction. I would advise all to see where their money went. AX clients can do this by highlighting the purchase on their computer. My payment did not go to England but it did find its way to an apartment in California USA.

Update (12/09/14):  The product arrived today.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend