Demystifying the Flaviar 'Rare' Whiskey Myth

Let's address a common criticism right off the bat: Flaviar's marketing of 'rare' whiskeys. You might have seen ads touting bottles of Wild Turkey or Angels Envy as rare finds, which is misleading to say the least. Especially when these bottles are readily available at places like Fine Wine and Good Spirits in Pennsylvania.

This marketing tactic has certainly led to some skepticism, especially among those who know (or claim to know) about whiskey. This issue frequently came up in negative comments on Reddit, for instance.

A better marketing strategy could focus on speed, price, and convenience—something like "Get your favorites fast, for a good price and with free shipping for members."

The Whiskey Rarity Scale: From Jack Daniels to Pappy Van Winkle

Let's drill down into the concept of whiskey rarity. Picture a scale from everyday finds like Jack Daniels to elusive bottles like Pappy Van Winkle. While Jack is easy to find, acquiring a bottle of Pappy is another story entirely.

Curiously, you can find Pappy Van Winkle on Flaviar. So why isn't this featured in their ads? It's a missed opportunity, but also highlights another issue we'll address shortly—price.

Where Flaviar Really Shines: The 75% Mark on the Rarity Scale

The sweet spot for Flaviar's service is around the 75% mark on our imaginary rarity scale. This starts with more common but sought-after brands like Angels Envy and goes up to the hard-to-find allocations like Blackened Cask Strength, which is difficult to find in states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

If you're searching for Buffalo Trace, an allocated bourbon in Pennsylvania, Flaviar has you covered. However, for something like Eagle Rare or Blantons, the experience might leave you frustrated. That's a topic we'll explore in another section.

Flaviar's Vault: A Reality Check on Value and Expectations

Flaviar's Vault can be an enigma. You'll see some incredibly rare bottles listed, but the pricing often leaves something to be desired. Take Eagle Rare, for example; at $96, is just ridiculous.

If you're a Florida State fan gearing up for the FSU-LSU game in Orlando—like me—you'll get the analogy (update: FSU won and they raffled Blanton's at the tailgate, all good here). The vault feels like sipping Fireball neat in a 90-degree Florida tailgate. It's not the kind of experience I was hoping for when I imagined access to 'rare' spirits.

Recap: The Real Value in Flaviar's Membership

So where does Flaviar excel? It's in the everyday-to-excellent bottles. Think of it as a reliable source for your 'daily drivers.' Free shipping and consistent availability make this a good deal. On the flip side, the vault doesn't live up to the hype. Reddit reviews echo my sentiment. Flaviar markets itself as a gateway to exclusive, hard-to-find spirits, but the reality is more grounded. It's better described as a 'good spirits at a fair price' service.

Flaviar Membership Options and Value

Flaviar offers three tiers of membership options. To get straight to the point: if you're considering a membership for yourself, the 1-year Flaviar membership offers the best value. For gifting purposes, the one-month or three-month options may be more appropriate.

Flaviar Customer Service: A Detailed Review

What would a comprehensive Flaviar review be without diving into customer service? So, after conducting months of research and analysis, I finally took the plunge and subscribed to Flaviar's 1-year whiskey membership.

First Impressions: Packaging Issues

My enthusiasm for unboxing my new whiskey bottles hit a snag when I noticed two noticeable gashes on one of the labels. Not the best start for a service focused on premium whiskey enthusiasts. So, I documented the issue with photos and reached out to Flaviar's customer support.

Initial Customer Support Response

Their initial response was swift but slightly disappointing. The automated message seemed to minimize the issue. This was frustrating, considering the premium nature of their service and how many whiskey collectors display their bottles.

Resolution and Replacement

Long story short, Flaviar eventually shipped a replacement bottle. But, the process was marred by shipping errors that sent multiple boxes and extra bottles. Despite the complications, customer service was proactive, responsive, and even offered a $10 credit for the inconvenience.

Subsequent Orders: Flawless Experience

It’s worth noting that the damaged bottle seems to be an exception rather than the rule. I’ve since ordered multiple bottles, all of which arrived in perfect condition.

Flaviar Review: Areas for Improvement

Price Markups on Rare Whiskey Bottles

The price markup on rare bottles like Eagle Rare may cause some eyebrows to rise. It's true that these elusive bottles can be difficult to find at a fair price, but the high cost on Flaviar could be viewed as pushing the envelope.

Limited Whiskey Tasting Selections

Flaviar promotes itself as a platform to discover new whiskies, which holds true to an extent. However, the limited number of tasting combinations—only 19 at the time of writing—leaves room for improvement.

Missed Opportunities in a Growing Market

With the US whiskey and bourbon market growing by 13.7% from 2022 to 2023, and over 800 distilleries in the US alone, Flaviar has a massive opportunity to expand its tasting selection. Such an expansion could be a win-win for both distillers and Flaviar subscribers.

Personal Experience with Tasting Boxes

While I enjoyed the tastings I received, including the "Secret Flavors of Japan" box, I find that more options would greatly enhance one of Flaviar's main selling points.

Final Thoughts on Flaviar Membership

If you've been enjoying a glass or two while reading this article, I hope the details have been enlightening. Now, let's summarize the main points.

My Final Verdict on Flaviar

Would I renew my 1-year Flaviar membership? The answer is a resounding Yes, absolutely.

From a pure cost perspective, Flaviar pays for itself. Add to that the availability of my favorite whiskey at good to fair prices, plus free fast shipping, and the value becomes unmistakable. I have ordered over a dozen bottles outside of the quarterly subscription, even ordering a special Kosher bottle, sent directly to a friend for the upcoming holiday.

Extras like member events and exclusive opportunities are just the cherry on top. If you are someone who has read that these events stopped, it seems like they took a break but recently reinstated the program. Members were recently offered to go attend a free whiskey tasting in NYC (with a +1).

Flaviar as a Tool for Whiskey Enthusiasts

For those who relish the thrill of the whiskey hunt, think of Flaviar as a useful addition to your toolbox. It doesn't replace the adventure, but it sure makes some aspects easier.

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Thank you for your time. Feel free to leave a comment about your favorite pour or any other thoughts you'd like to share.