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 Jan 14, 2019
Be advised that they hide the fact that you only get a box every three months. Beyond that, I received notification that my first box had shipped, then that it had not. All other correspondence is being ignored. I am currently trying to cancel, but receive a message that says I will not be refunded for the box that has not shipped. Terrible business practices. Avoid this company.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Feb 11, 2019
Dear Chad,
Thank you for sharing your experience. Apologies for not serving you better.
I've investigated in your case, and it seems we have resolved your request to your full satisfaction by now and reimbursed you for the subpar service.
Let me provide additional insight into the problems you've faced with our service.
We’re well equipped to handle concerns tied to the spirits industry, without our members ever noticing a disruption in the quality of service. This is what members expect of us by now, and it’s the standard we aim for. Recently, though, we’ve experienced several concurrent issues, 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!
I hope you agree that what sets a company apart from other companies is not necessarily the number of issues, but how the company handles it.
We will get in touch as soon as the dust settles and see if there is anything else we can do to make it up to you! Be on a lookout for an email from hello@flaviar.com :)
Posted on Feb 16, 2019
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
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Feb 18, 2019
Hey Carolyn,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. Constructive feedback is always appreciated and helps us improve further.
Let me provide additional insight into the problems you've faced with our service.
We’re well equipped to handle concerns tied to the spirits industry, without our members ever noticing a disruption in the quality of service. This is what members expect of us by now, and it’s the standard we aim for. Recently, though, we’ve experienced several concurrent issues, 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!
Moreover, there seems to be some confusion regarding our service. The perks and benefits available to club members are thoroughly described in our FAQ if there is still any confusion by now.
Please write to us at hello@flaviar.com if there is still any confusion or you need our assistance, we promise to get back to you as soon as possible!
Posted on Feb 19, 2019
I ordered two bottles of Bourbon to be shipped to a friend in another state.
They were lost in transit and after a couple of responses from Flavair's customer service, they just stopped responding.
All I wanted to know was where my shipment was or if they were going to give me a refund (since they were NEVER delivered).
I have finally found out from FedEx that the two bottles had been returned to Falvair's facility over a month and a half ago. Still emailing them for a refund and still not getting any responses back.
Pitiful. I will never use them again!
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Feb 20, 2019
Hi Bob!
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. We're terribly sorry you were among the affected!
We have sent a message to your inbox addressing your concerns and offering redress.
Posted on Feb 21, 2019
My wife gave me this membership and I like the theme of building a bar. There was a lot of interesting information and bells and whistles when I set up my profile, and the variety seems to be pretty good. The problem is that I haven't actually received the welcome box yet a month and a half after signing up. I continue to get routine marketing emails but there is no reason to order more when they can't seem to deliver a standard introductory sample. I am very disappointed in the service and feel like we are being told anything to buy time. I hope it works; almost nowhere to go but up.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Flaviar Ltd.
Feb 26, 2019
Dear Matt,
Thank you for sharing. We apologize for your experience. The feedback you have provided is one of the only ways we can improve.
We experienced service issues in the past month which delayed our shipping and response times. This has already been taken care of and our service is back at the usual high standard we aim for and you deserve.
I'm afraid I'm not able to find your account with the information available here, though, so please write to us at hello@flaviar.com again if there is still any confusion or you need our assistance, we promise to get back to you as soon as possible!
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 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 Jul 6, 2015
I ordered the welcome pack, "whiskies of the world" and it was quite amazing. Each vial has enough for four small shots which is perfect for a tasting. I had it with some friends before a party and they were very impressed.
They state on the website that each pack is curated by a team of industry experts and judging by what I had. I would enjoy having a subscription, when my disposable income is a bit higher.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Posted on Feb 14, 2015
At the time of the end of December I ordered a couple of collections for me and my friend. 4 of 6 of the bottles arrived at the promised time frame, but had to wait for the rest 2 for additional week. Once I received the rest, one bottle was already open and half drank and thus the problems began.
No responses from Flaviar on the inquiries of refund or a replacement. Neither did I hear anything from a testing set that was promised if you order over 100€ worth of merchandise.
Going to contact my CC company to freeze the payment.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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.
