Summary
Flaviar offers a quarterly subscription program for rare and premium liquors from around the world and lets you sample a variety of flavors without committing to a full bottle. Overwhelmingly positive customer reviews indicate this subscription company really delivers.
Pros
Cons
Posted on Apr 4, 2019
I paid for 3 months to try it, expecting a monthly tasting box, and it’s super small, so I wasn’t expecting a bottle every month. The vials are small and I was fine with that, BUT it is not a monthly thing. They sent out ONE tasting box and then after they offered "free" shipping credit. Why would I want to pay a monthly membership so I can get "free" shipping on any given item? Not worth it.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Apr 18, 2019
Dear Ty,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. Constructive feedback is always appreciated and helps us improve further.
Speakeasy Club is a membership experience, not a monthly subscription service, and we do our best to advertise accordingly. We understand if your needs and wishes differ from what we offer and I’m terribly sorry that the membership didn’t work out. However, there are numerous other benefits save for the tasting boxes and free shipping.
If you’d like us to help you use the membership to the fullest or if you believe your issue wasn’t resolved to your full satisfaction let us know, we’re easy to reach if you write to us at hello@flaviar.com.
Wish you all the best!
Posted on Apr 8, 2019
Okay, the million dollar question is WHO is writing these five-star reviews? I'm guessing bots/paid third parties. Flaviar is a sham if there ever was.
Let me just reduce this to its simplest terms - the customer pays $60 to "taste" three products whose combined value IF ORDERED RETAIL AT A BAR would still be at the most 1/2 the cost. However, it comes delivered to your door in such a cute little container all the while accompanied by a litany of exhaustive emails extolling all the virtues of the various liquors. Look, I'm sure there are a few folks out there who have the time and interest to sit down and read five pages about whichever scotch or bourbon they just received or about to receive...but most of us just want to throw it in a glass with an ice cube and enjoy.
Here's my advice - avoid this whole operation and point yourself to your favorite pub and ask the bartender to surprise you. You'll probably end up with a better drink at a lower cost, and you'll also have a better time.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Apr 18, 2019
Dear Andy,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. Constructive feedback is always appreciated and helps us improve further.
We understand if your needs and wishes differ from what we offer and we are terribly sorry that the membership didn’t work out. There are numerous other benefits save for the tasting boxes but we agree this isn't for someone that just wants to drink some liquor on ice. It's a membership for explorers at heart and for people that crave new experiences in the spirits world. If going to a pub works better for you, there's nothing even remotely wrong with that. Just keep on tasting!
As for the positive reviews, we are more than proud to say we have over 50,000 happy members in our Club.
Wish you all the best.
Posted on May 17, 2019
It's been 6 months since I joined Flaviar and till date, I haven't bought a bottle yet. Main reason:
1. I'm a big fan of bourbon, rye, and Japanese whiskeys. I had much better chances of finding pappy, Weller, Willett, Yamazaki and Hibiki whiskeys on sites like CPD Wine & Liquor and Whiskey Exchange than on Flaviar.
2. Prices are outrageous. Today I finally saw Willett 4-year-old rye was on sale on Flaviar, I thought finally I'll buy at least one bottle on this site. When I saw the price it was $144 - OUTRAGEOUS for a member who already paid a premium to get access. I didn't buy. I was able to find and purchase a Willett 4-year-old rye on another site for under $60. FLAVIAR IS A LOOTER!
This is not a club with exclusive access to some amazing spirits and rare bottles. This is just another site selling liquor online. I paid the annual membership and I regret it now. I'm not sure if I can get my money back either.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
May 27, 2019
Hey Sans,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. Constructive feedback is always appreciated and helps us improve further.
We understand your disappointment in the prices, but you have to understand that we don't have access to the original retail prices either for highly allocated items such as Willets. The Vault prices reflect aftermarket prices because the bottles found in the Vault (Pappies Wellers, Willets, Japanese, etc.) aren’t easily accessible, yet we strive to provide a large number of exquisite products month in and month out, with an enormous member base waiting like a hungry pack of wolves.
We can’t afford to sit back and snatch fancy bottles when the time and price is right. We do everything we can and pay almost any price to make premium, collectible spirits available to our members without them having to spend time looking for and engaging in prolonged or even hidden auctions. Your benefit here is actually having access to such products on a regular basis. Believe us that the Vault isn’t something we do to make wild profits, as such an exclusive endeavor isn’t scalable.
Please write to us at hello@flaviar.com if there is still any confusion or if you would prefer to cancel the membership, we promise to get back to you as soon as possible!
Posted on May 22, 2019
I received this as a gift so I'm not actually out any money. The gifter assumed, like many, that I would be receiving "monthly" tastings to sample and discover new spirits. That is not at all what this is. I'm still not sure what Flaviar is.
You receive a tasting box every 90 days, NOT monthly. So if you purchase a 6 month subscription for $120, you will receive 2 tasting boxes throughout your subscription containing 3 vials with about a jigger each. They also ship it through random companies and it takes about 5 weeks to receive your boxes AFTER it ships.
Also, AFTER it ships you receive a note stating that someone over 21 needs to sign for the package since it's alcohol. After scrambling to have it rerouted to my office since the random delivery service "doesn't deliver on the weekends" I found my tasting box by my front door at my home on a Saturday. They left it without anyone signing for it.
The spirits were good but one of my local stores, Martin's Wine Cellar (free plug) has all three at comparable or cheaper prices. I can get it same day instead of waiting about a month for a random delivery person to leave it on my doorstep. Now after dropping $120 on a six month membership, you can purchase additional tasting boxes for around $40 each that contain about 3 jiggers of spirits.
They also will pull totally unheard of bottles from their "vault" that you can purchase for a limited time. Purchase a bottle of something I've never heard of? I can go to Martin's Wine Cellar (2nd free plug) and do the same thing for free!!! I thought Flaviar would be a great way to experience and introduce myself to new spirits but really it's just a money pit.
Save your money and shop local. Go to your local spirit store and ask what they recommend and ask if you can sample it. Many stores have tastings all the time. Even World Market does spirit tastings FOR FREE. You can end up drinking more spirits there than come in your tasting boxes.
I would not recommend Flaviar to anyone. If you are really interested in sampling new spirits, get a group together and everyone bring a new bottle every month. It will cost you less and can still experience new spirits and have a great time doing it. Cheers!
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Jul 9, 2019
Hi Dustin,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. Constructive feedback is always appreciated and helps us improve further.
Speakeasy Club is a membership experience, not a monthly subscription service, and we do our best to advertise accordingly. We understand if your needs and wishes differ from what we offer and I’m terribly sorry that the membership didn’t work out. There are numerous other benefits save for the tasting boxes but it looks like this Club really isn't well fit for you.
Allow us to provide some insight on long shipping times and delivery customization. Shipping alcohol is an extremely complex process. By now, we are well versed at handling unexpected delivery issues and fluctuations in state laws so there is no disruption in the quality of our service. Recently, though, we’ve experienced several such issues at the same time, which has made resolving them efficiently a lot trickier. This, in turn, caused shipping delays, longer transit times, and issues with order tracking.
Rest assured that we are working around the clock to get this solved as soon as possible. If you’d like us to help you use the membership to the fullest or if you believe your issue wasn’t resolved to your full satisfaction let us know, we’re easy to reach if you write to us at hello@flaviar.com.
Take care!
Posted on Jun 25, 2019
This company is a typical scam. Ordered my membership on June 6th and still has not received my 1st quarterly order. In response to my multiple emails, I am only getting "We are sorry, will check with our vendors."
Be very careful not to sign-up with them!
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Jul 9, 2019
Hey George,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. Constructive feedback is always appreciated and helps us improve further.
At the time you wrote this review you were still in contact with our customer support. Your issue has since been resolved in a timely manner and to your full satisfaction. The stock issues were overcome and your order shipped only a few days later than promised.
If you believe your issue wasn’t resolved to your full satisfaction let us know, we’re easy to reach if you write to us at hello@flaviar.com
Wish you all the best!
Posted on Jun 26, 2019
I joined the club 30 days ago. I have placed 2 orders with Flaviar at that time. I have not received either order orders. I have sent 4-5 emails asking for help and to talk to someone regarding my orders. I never get a call back, just a standard stock apology email. No one will help you if you have a problem. Based on my experience, this company is a scam. I will soon have to escalate this to a higher level. Don't make the same mistake I did by joining this club. Buyer beware!
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Jul 9, 2019
Hey Robert,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. Constructive feedback is always appreciated and helps us improve further.
At the time you wrote this review you were still in contact with our customer support. Your issue has since been resolved in a timely manner and to your full satisfaction. Both of the orders have now shipped and been delivered to your address.
If you need help with anything else, we’re easy to reach at hello@flaviar.com
Take care!
Posted on Jun 27, 2019
I can't get customer service to help me. I live in a state (North Carolina) that is apparently impossible to send liquor, but Flaviar doesn't warn you before they take your membership. In 6 months I haven't received a single order, but they have taken my money. They like to "respond" on Twitter, Facebook, etc. to publicly tell me they will help me, but I cannot get a response directly.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Jul 9, 2019
Hey Christina,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. Constructive feedback is always appreciated and helps us improve further.
At the time you wrote this review you were still in contact with our customer support. Your issue has since been resolved in a timely manner and to your full satisfaction. The lost tasting box was replaced with a completely new one which has already reached you.
If you need help with anything else, we’re easy to reach at hello@flaviar.com
Cheers!
Posted on Jul 9, 2019
I received this as a gift from my wife. I was very excited. I went online right after I received the gift on my birthday in February. I was supposed to be sent the initial tasting box when I signed up. A few days later I ordered 2 bottles of bourbon. I waited for 6 weeks and had still not received my tasting box nor the bottles I received. I contacted the company about both orders and received the bottles I ordered but not my tasting box in about a week. The bottles were received on 4/9/19 and ordered on 2/17/19. The tasting box was ordered on 2/16/19 and a FedEx shipping label (FedEx number 478231884556) was created on 2/27/2019 and I have still not received this as of 6/25/2019. I am not surprisingly unsatisfied and would strongly discourage anyone from using this service.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Jul 16, 2019
Dear Robert,
This certainly isn’t the experience we want you to have and apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Allow us to provide some insight. Shipping alcohol is an extremely complex process. By now, we are well versed at handling unexpected delivery issues and fluctuations in state laws so there is no disruption in the quality of our service. Right around the time you joined, though, we’ve experienced several such issues at the same time, which has made resolving them efficiently a lot trickier. This, in turn, caused shipping delays, longer transit times, and issues with order tracking.
We see your message in our help desk that one of our agents responded to but you never got back to them. We'll send you another message straight away so please be on a lookout.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Posted on Aug 12, 2019
Terrible, or better, no customer service. No phone number to call. Just an email that says they will get back to you within 24 hours. I have been shipping product for over 25 years to customers and never did I experience probably the worse shipping ever, CDL Last Mile. WHAT COMPANY uses a shipping company with a review score of 1.4 stars on Google. I started my subscription around Father’s Day and as of August 5, I still do not have my 1st product.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Aug 19, 2019
Dear Scott,
Thank you for sharing your experience. We are sorry for your disappointment and any confusion regarding the club and its benefits.
Firstly, we know the decision to omit phone support is unusual, but we focus on providing fast and high-quality responses by email, so you’re always talking to a human that can help first-hand.
Secondly, we are so sorry about your experience with the delivery service! Our logistics manager reads through members' complaints with care and consideration and forwards them to the courier services we employ. Furthermore, your order is in transit, as we have confirmed with you and we will send you the tracking number as soon as the courier provides it.
We are sincerely sorry for any inconvenience this experience might have caused you. If you believe your issue wasn’t resolved to your full satisfaction let us know, we’re easy to reach if you write to us at hello@flaviar.com.
Posted on Oct 14, 2019
This is the worst experience I have had with a company. One our order didn’t ship, then we receive an item we didn’t order and the invoice was for someone else. Now another person has our order and somehow found our information and has been contacting me and my family to get his bottle. And now there is no response from Flaviar. Now this random person has my phone number and address. This is a huge breach of privacy. This is pathetic and a waste of time and money.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Oct 22, 2019
Hey Courtney,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. Constructive feedback is always appreciated and helps us improve further.
At the time you wrote this review you were still in contact with our customer support. Your issue has since been resolved in a timely manner and to your full satisfaction.
We are sincerely sorry that your order got switched with another and that the involved person reached out to you personally. This should have never happened and we'll make sure to instruct our vendors to pack orders more carefully.
If you need help with anything else let us know, we’re easy to reach if you write to us at hello@flaviar.com
Wish you all the best!
Posted on Nov 22, 2019
Flaviar failed to ship three packages to me. Three packages in a row. Two of which were my quarterly shipments and I at this point have only been a member for two quarters.
I asked for a refund (for the six months that I would not be using) and they said no.
Flaviar is a massive rip off. They'll happily take your money and provide Comcast level customer service. Well, actually, it's worse than that.
DO NOT DO IT.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Dec 4, 2019
Hi Tyler,
We sincerely apologize for the level of service you received. The feedback you have provided is one of the only ways we can improve.
We’re well equipped to handle occurring issues tied to the industry we are in, without our members ever noticing a disruption in the quality of service. Recently, though, we’ve experienced several issues at the same time, which has made resolving them in a timely manner much more difficult. This led to some shipping delays, longer transit times or tracking issues. We're terribly sorry you were among the affected!
We have sent a message to your inbox addressing your concerns and offering redress.
Our Promise to You
In order to safeguard you and ensure helpfulness and relevance, our compliance team manually assess every customer review before it goes live.
We have a zero-tolerance policy for fake reviews, and companies cannot control or alter any reviews at any time.
