Why Join A Whiskey Of The Month Club | Liquor Subscription
So you want to find the best whiskey of the month club?
After we had so much fun researching the best wine clubs, we decided it was time to sample whiskey subscriptions. We love wine, but variety is important. We have plenty of wine in our basement, it was time to upgrade the liquor cabinet! We were pleasantly surprised by the number of online clubs that focus on whiskey.
We sampled general whiskey of the month club options, bourbon of the month clubs, cocktail subscription boxes, and even clubs that just focus on mixers.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Whiskey of the Month Clubs
- FlaviarOur Top Pick
- American Whiskey ClubGreat Bourbon Options
- The Whisky Runner ClubBest For Scotch
- Crafted Taste
Whether you regularly entertain guests or enjoy a glass after work, there’s nothing like a good bottle of whiskey on hand. Whether it is bourbon, rye, or scotch, great whiskey is something to savor. However, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. We decided to do the legwork for you and make a list of the nine best whiskey of the month clubs online.
QUICK OVERVIEW: Our Top Picks for Best Whiskey of the Month Club
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick Flaviar
| Check Latest Price → |
 | Great Bourbon Options American Whiskey Club
| Check Latest Price → |
 | The Whisky Runner Club
| Check Latest Price → |
 | Crafted Taste
| Check Latest Price → |
 | SaloonBox
| Check Latest Price → |
 | Bitters and Bottles
| Check Latest Price → |
 | Shaker & Spoon
| Check Latest Price → |
What’s nice about joining a whiskey of the month club is that they make it easy to choose the right booze. You can do research (or drink some samplers!) before committing. Moreover, it makes finding new booze options easier. The best whiskey subscriptions will introduce you to new varieties and flavors that you’d otherwise never find on your own. Perhaps most importantly, joining a great whiskey club reduces those annoying trips to your local liquor store. We find that being a whiskey of the month club member expands our horizons. It also means we have the booze needed to mix up an old-fashioned when the feeling strikes us.
After we decided to review some of the more popular whiskey of the month clubs, we dove into the scotch of the month clubs and general liquor of the month clubs. We were looking for a combination of value (the cost of the bottle through the club isn't marked up too much over store prices), selection, and good customer service. We came away impressed with these liquor subscription boxes.
Flaviar
Getting started: Flaviar starts you off with a box that includes a trio of whiskeys in 1.5 oz. bottles. These tasting whiskeys are the perfect way to kick off your whiskey of the month club experience. You also receive one full-sized bottle of your choice. The shipping cost is included for your first delivery.
What’s in the box: The box includes any of the 20,000 spirits they have on offer, be it bourbon, brandy, gin, rum, or whiskey. While the sampler box holds jigger-sized samples, your shipment will include one full-size bottle (this has been updated - all shipments now include a full-sized bottle).
You can decide which bottles you receive. This is one of the great features of Flaviar. They create interesting tasting boxes with whiskeys grouped by different themes. As an example, you can request a tasting box with all high-end Japanese whiskeys. Or you can select a box with Kentucky bourbons. You choose your own whiskey adventure.
It's the perfect marriage of a whiskey sampler subscription and a whiskey of the month club.
Delivery: Quarterly, adult signature required.
Cancelation: Any time, no questions asked. There’s a three-day window after you sign up for paid membership that makes you eligible for a full refund.
Fee & Discounts: The cost is $25 per month, which is billed annually (so, $300 on a yearly basis). Flaviar also offers quarterly billing if you prefer it. The cost is $95 per quarter for that option. There are no discounts.
All members can get a Tasting Box each quarter. The Tasting Box is not sent automatically, you have to request it. The shipping is free on any qualifying order.
Overall: Impressive range of spirits, nice welcoming offer. There are tons of independent whiskey reviews on the site. Being part of the club gives you access to a huge community of like-minded whiskey drinkers.
This is the only whiskey subscription box that includes online education. The fun kind of online education. Flaviar offers members a series of in-depth virtual tastings that will help you develop your palate. They offer their Flaviar Masterclasses each month.
With your Flaviar whiskey club membership, you also get access to The Vault. The Vault is open for a limited window of time. It's described as the Flaviar private high-end whiskey stash. You can order rare bottles like "Old Fitzgerald 16 y/o Bourbon". Flaviar will announce the opening of The Vault by email and then you have a few days to find an amazing bottle to buy. It's these fun touches that make Flaviar the best whiskey of the month clubs around. Read our full review of Flaviar.
American Whiskey Club
Getting started: To join the American Whiskey Club you first need to create an account on the Caskers website. Caskers runs the American Whiskey Club along with an international whiskey club option.
What’s in the box: You will receive two top-shelf American whiskeys in each shipment. The shipment includes detailed tasting cards that provide background on the distillery and the bottle you received.
Delivery: Shipments are sent out once per quarter, so you can count on two unique bottles of whiskey every three months. Caskers promises that they will never send you the same whiskey twice.
Cancelation: You can always put a delivery on hold if you are going out of town or just don't have space for more bottles yet. The membership auto-renews every three months. To cancel, you can make the change on your club page or contact Caskers and let them know you no longer want to renew your membership.
Fee & Discounts: The club costs $146.99 per quarter. That includes the cost of shipping.
Overall: This is one of the best whiskey of the month clubs because it is a simple setup. You can cancel anytime and you get access to some of the best whiskey being made in America.
Read our full review of Caskers to learn more about this great resource for top-shelf liquors.
Click Here | Join the American Whiskey Club from Caskers
The Whisky Runner Club
Getting started: This whiskey of the month club was created by Bounty Hunter Wines in Napa. They know their wines and their whiskey. To get started, you can click this link. While you are on their site, you can check out some of the other whiskey club offerings like the monthly bourbon club.
What’s in the box: You will receive a monthly shipment of one top-shelf scotch whisky and another bottle, not necessarily scotch, that Bounty Hunter finds for you that month. Bounty Hunter's track record means you trust that each bottle will be memorable.
Delivery: Shipments arrive in the first week of each month.
Cancelation: You can either pause or cancel your account at any time. Just call the company to let them know.
Fee & Discounts: The subscription costs $299 per month. Shipping is included in the price.
Overall: Bounty Hunter Wine is great at discovering value bottles of high-end wine. Their whiskey of the month club lets them show off their hunting skills in the arena of high-end whiskey. You benefit from their expertise as a club member.
Click Here | Join the Whisky Runner Club
Crafted Taste
Getting started: There’s no welcome program as of writing this.
What’s in the box: This really depends on the program. “Mixers” includes pretty much everything you need for the featured monthly cocktail, barring spirits. “Monthly” contains full-size bottles of spirits and everything else required for a wet bar. “Premium” looks like “Monthly” on steroids – enhanced program, additional bottles, or upgraded liquor selection.
Delivery: Monthly, adult signature required. The cut-off date is the 5th and all boxes ship around the 15th.
Cancelation: Anytime, though keep in mind that any cancellations after the 4th will come into effect the following month.
Fee & Discounts: Crafted Taste offers three month-to-month subscription programs – Mixers, Monthly, and Premium, which cost $100, $150, and $200, respectively. Upgrades are possible at any time. All shipping and handling fees are included. It's a reasonable fee when you consider how much a few high-end cocktails cost at your local watering hole.
Overall: Lots of unique ingredients that are hard to come by on your own. This is the perfect whiskey subscription for anyone who loves to mix creative cocktails. This monthly box can fill the void left by our limited access to great bartenders. You may even find you prefer cocktails at home.
SaloonBox
Getting started: There’s no welcome package as of yet for this cocktail of the month club.
What’s in the box: Everything you need to start mixing cocktails, except the bar tools (though they do have those available for purchase, they just sell and ship separately). The ingredients are curated and shipped along with recipe cards and a little bit of background on each product. Amounts are exactly portioned for two distinct two-person cocktails (so, four servings in all).
Delivery: Monthly, adult signature required. You can also sign for a one-off box. Shipping may take longer due to their choice of vehicles (temperature-controlled). Commercial addresses are much preferred.
Cancelation: Anytime, though you will still receive the box for that month – the cancellation takes effect the following month.
Fee & Discounts: Monthly subscription costs $37.50 (plus a $12.99 shipment fee and California sales tax). You can pay it month-by-month or choose a prepaid plan. There’s a slight discount if you choose the latter, as the 6-month plan comes to $35.50 per month ($213 in total), while the yearly plan costs $33.50 per month ($402 altogether).
Overall: Perfect economical subscription for cocktail lovers.
Click here to order this great whiskey of the month club
Bitters and Bottles
Getting started: Bitters and Bottles offers you access to an exciting array of American whiskeys that you'll never find at your local liquor store. The club focuses on delivering bottles from single-barrel and limited releases of both established and craft distillers. You will love the variety. The shipments are sent out quarterly and the price on their shipments never exceeds $100.
They also offer an Old Fashioned club for cocktail fans. You receive a bottle and a selection of mixers to craft memorable whiskey cocktails.
What’s in the box: You will receive two bottles of top-shelf whiskey each quarter. If you opt for the Old Fashioned club, your shipment will include a selection of bitters and syrups for mixing.
Delivery: Quarterly, adult signature required. Office addresses preferred.
Cancelation: Any time, automatic after the end of the program.
Fee & Discounts: The cost is about $80 per box and doesn’t include the cost of shipping ($12.99 per box). The price can vary a little each quarter based on the bottle that ships.
Overall: High-end subscription service for people who know what they like in a whiskey of the month club. Bitters and Bottles also offers a rum club and a gin club if you are interested in more variety. This is the best whiskey of the month club for anyone who loves mixing up an old fashioned.
Club membership includes access to their private collection library. You can make one purchase here per subscription order.
Mash & Grape
Getting started: There’s no special welcome offer standing, though you can get coupons that take $10 off your first box!
What’s in the box: Your monthly liquor subscription will contain one full-size bottle, curated and accompanied by tasting notes. There are five different boxes – bourbon, gin, scotch, tequila, and whiskey.
Delivery: Monthly, ships on the 15th, delivery not later than the 20th. Adult signature required. You need to submit your order by the 10th to receive the current month’s box.
Cancelation: Anytime.
Fee & Discounts: The cost varies depending on the box you pick – the Scotch of the month club sells for $79, Bourbon and Whiskey of the month clubs come at $69 per box, Tequila of the month club costs $54, and Gin is $44. You can opt to prepay for 3, 6, or 12 months or have an on-going subscription.
Overall: No-frill subscription for true spirit aficionados. The Mash & Grape whiskey of the month club also makes for a great gift.
Click Here | Sign up for the Mash and Grape Whiskey Club
Shaker & Spoon
Getting started: While there are no incentives to start, you can drop the cost per box by $10 if you pre-pay 12 months.
What’s in the box: Have you dreamed of being a mixologist? Or do you just love being the person at the party with the best drinks? The Shaker and Spoon box gives you the knowledge and the tools to create mind-blowing cocktails. This isn't a whiskey of the month club type shipment. This is the box that will let you transform that whiskey, rum, gin, or whatever you have on hand into a killer cocktail.
The box includes mixers and drink recipes. You supply the booze.
Delivery: Boxes are sent out monthly and typically reach you in 1 - 3 days via USPS. Your first shipment will go out on the first Monday of the next month. If you order in August, your shipment will go out on the first Monday in September.
Cancelation: You can cancel your Shaker & Spoon subscription box at any time by going to your user profile screen. That will spot future auto payments.
Fee & Discounts: The cocktail subscription box costs $50/mo. if you pay month to month. You can get it down to $40/mo. if you pre-pay for 12 months. There is a $5 fee for shipping.
Overall: This is a perfect complement to some of the other whiskey of the month club options or really any liquor subscription. This will elevate your drinks game and make even the rotgut stuff taste good!
Click Here | Sign Up For The Shaker & Spoon Cocktail Subscription Box
Shots Box
Getting started: When you sign up for the Shots Box whiskey of the month club, you'll receive a box with 10 whiskey mini bottles, a whiskey tasting glass, and a whiskey tasting log.
What’s in the box: You will receive 10 mini tasters every other month. The bottles are curated by Shots Box and include whiskeys from distilleries located all over the US. This is a true whiskey sampler subscription box. You can order full-sized bottles of the whiskey samples you enjoy.
Delivery: Shipping is included when you choose FLAT RATE at check out.
Cancelation: Memberships are pre-paid for either two months, six months, or one year.
Fee & Discounts: There are three whiskey subscription options with Shots Box. The two-month subscription costs 89.99. The six-month plan costs 259.99. The one-year plan costs 519.99 and is the best deal.
Overall: This is a great option if you are interested in tasting a range of whiskeys. It is similar to Flaviar, but you only get the taster size bottles in the shipments. You can order a full-size bottle if you enjoy a particular whiskey. The two-month option is perfect for a gift. It's unique and won't overwhelm the recipient with too much whiskey.
Click Here | Join Shots Box
What Is A Whiskey Subscription Box
Companies like Flaviar, Caskers, and Mashbox curate regular shipments of whiskey from their large inventories. They have access to brands and limited release bottles that the average whiskey drinker can't find at the local grocery store or liquor store. This means you can expand whiskey palate beyond the standard major brands.
Whiskey subscriptions usually include some fringe benefits like access to tasting notes, special online events, and discounted shipping rates. The best whiskey clubs include rare bottle auctions, interviews with top distillers, and free passes to visit distilleries.
So how do we decide on the best whiskey of the month clubs?
We start by signing up for the club. We are looking for a fast response and a clear explanation of what is included in the club.
The first shipment tells us a few things; who does the whiskey club use for shipping and how long does it take. We've had a few clubs that appear to use family members or people off the street to handle their deliveries (not a joke). We want a club that uses major carriers and can provide you with the shipment status when it is requested. The best clubs send you regular updates via email or text.
We also want to see how they handle problems. There are always small issues that crop up. An example is attempted deliveries when no one is available to sign. This can lead to a lot of headaches if the club doesn't quickly let you know this happened. The best clubs will contact you and suggest alternative delivery arrangements or at least let you know when the redelivery will happen.
Here are a few more factors we consider:
- How many states can the club ship to?
- How big is their whiskey inventory?
- Do they have a no-questions-asked return policy?
- How does the price of the whiskey subscription box compare to purchasing the same bottles elsewhere?
- Do they offer fringe benefits that we think most people will use and enjoy?
How Much Does A Whiskey Subscription Cost
The monthly cost of a whiskey subscription depends on the quality of whiskey the club ships. their shipping policy, and the number of bottles that go out with each shipment. Flaviar, for example, charges $25 per month if you pay for one year upfront. Meanwhile, Caskers' American Whiskey Club is about $55 per month when you sign up for a one-year membership. Most whiskey subscriptions fall somewhere in that range.
Do Whiskey Clubs Make A Good Gift
Whiskey clubs can make a great gift for the whiskey lover in your life. There are a few important things to consider. The first is whether that person already belongs to a whiskey of the month club. There is one complaint that we hear from recipients of whiskey subscriptions, too much whiskey. It's important to understand how much whiskey the person already has and how often they drink it. Even the most devout whiskey lover doesn't want bottles piling up in their liquor cabinet.
The other issue to consider is delivery. Whiskey deliveries require a signature so they don't end up in the hands of minors. You need to think about whether the gift recipient is typically home or if you can have it sent to a business location or local hold location. Another major frustration can be chasing the delivery companies to get your "gift".
Honorable mentions
We’ve included a couple of subscription services that aren’t spirit-related, just in case you feel like diversifying your booze selection. For beer, the selection boils down to the Beer of the Month Club and Craft Beer Club. On the other hand, wine subscription boxes come in a greater variety, though three do stand out – Winc, Bright Cellars, and the budget-friendly Firstleaf. If you’re a coffee person, the Misto Box comes replete with artisan coffee to suit your taste and drinking habits.
Conclusion
There are a handful of clubs that are currently vying for the best whiskey of the month club. You should take a look at each of them and see which one best fits your whiskey drinking needs. Are you looking for a whiskey subscription that will help you craft great cocktails? Or are you more interested in a high-end whiskey club that gives you access to some of the best bottles in the world? You can find great clubs for either of those desires.
Once you've figured out which club fits your drinking needs, you should drill down into the specifics. Look at their shipping policies. Try to understand their customer service guarantees. Figure out what the total annual cost will be if you join the club. Once you have all of that information, make a decision.
We consistently hear only one complaint about whiskey clubs, how am I supposed to drink all this whiskey? This is usually from people who received a subscription as a gift. Make sure you consider this before buying. If you know someone is a casual whiskey drinker, they probably don't need a new bottle of whiskey each month. A club like Flaviar is nice in that is sends small "tasters" and a reasonable size bottle once per quarter. This is generally enough for someone who enjoys whiskey but doesn't plan to drink it every night.
We hope this guide is helpful and that you find a club you, or the person you bought it for, enjoys it!
Past Top Whiskey Of The Month Clubs
This is where we keep a running list of clubs that we used to feature on our list of the best whiskey of the month clubs. We will keep a running list in case some of these clubs are restarted or if you are interested in seeing other subscriptions these companies provide.
The Premier Bourbon Club
Note: It isn't clear what is going on with this bourbon club. We tried reaching out to Reserve Bar a few times without luck. We are hoping they will bring this back as an option. Until they do, check out the Reserve Bar site. They offer a range of spirits with some nice features like engraving on gift bottles. You can see our review of Reserve Bar here.
Getting started: This amazing whiskey club starts out with a shipment of the Dartington Bar Excellence glass set. The beautiful glass sets the tone for the premier whiskeys that will follow.
What’s in the box: Each month you will receive a bottle of top bourbon. The shipment may include bourbons like Jefferson's Ocean that is aged at sea or the uniquely delicious Stillhouse Black Bourbon.
Delivery: The first bottle of bourbon will ship out within a week of you receiving the welcome package. Then you will receive shipments each month around the 15th. This can vary by a few days.
Cancelation: You should contact Reserve Bar customer support if you want to make changes to or cancel your club order.
Fee & Discounts: The Premier Bourbon Club costs roughly $83 per month and lasts six months.
Overall: It is one of the best whiskey clubs we can find for bourbon lovers. This is the perfect club for someone who really knows their bourbon and it makes a great gift. Check out our list of the best bourbons and you'll see this whiskey subscription ships out many of them. We believe that Reserve Bar is a great place to find some of the best gifts for whiskey lovers.
