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Simply Recipes / Design by Amelia Manley
The bourbon boom of the last decade has created a robust market filled with new and intriguing expressions of a truly American spirit. Joining a bourbon of the month club gives you the best possible chance to keep up with what’s happening in this still-evolving space. Rather than sifting through various bottles on shelves, all you have to do is wait for them to show up on your porch.
The best bourbon of the month clubs do more than deliver a delicious spirit to your doorstep—they provide a spectrum of unique experiences. These can range from expert-led educational opportunities that take you deeper into the bourbon to landing the rare or hard-to-find bottle that practically disappears the moment it hits store shelves. When done right, these clubs can turn you from a mere bourbon lover into a staunch bourbon enthusiast.
Best Bourbon of the Month Clubs of 2022
- Best Overall: Flaviar
- Best Variety: Mash&Grape
- Best Value: PourMore
- Best for Sampling: Shots Box
- Best for Gifting: Bounty Hunter
- Best for Bourbon Aficionados: Taster’s Club
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Best Overall: Flaviar
Flaviar
Simple Tip!
Offer: Exclusive coupon code "JOIN6" for a 6% discount on all Memberships ON TOP of our special deals.
Key Specs
Starting Price: $60 per month
Free Shipping: Yes
Products per Delivery: 1, 2, or 8
Why You Should Try It
Flaviar’s flexible membership and access to tastings and events puts you in complete control of your bourbon journey.Pros
Access to guided tastings
Flexible delivery scheduling
Choice of full-sized bottles or Tasting Boxes
Cons
Can't select the samples in Tasting BoxesOverview
Everyone enjoys bourbon at their own pace. Some may want to dive into the category and learn everything they can. Others may want to simply enjoy a bottle at their leisure, whatever that leisure looks like in the context of their busy schedule. Flaviar builds its bourbon subscription services with this in mind, resulting in an experience that’s fully in your hands. Flaviar bakes flexibility into its membership: Each shipment grants you the option to receive one full-sized bottle or a Tasting Box of three mini-bottles of premium bourbons, each curated by Flaviar’s roster of tasting experts. You’ll also have control over when you receive your shipment. You can sign up for the standard monthly shipment, or you can opt for a three-month membership to receive two products anytime you want or a 12-month membership to receive eight products anytime you want.Signing up for the three- or 12-month option gives you a small price break compared to the monthly plan, though all come with free shipping. All bourbon club memberships provide you access to guided tastings where industry experts break down the subtleties and nuances of your selections. You’ll also receive invites to monthly tasting webinars and live events, allowing you to raise a glass with fellow bourbon lovers. If you need a break from bourbon, just let Flaviar know, and they’ll put your subscription on hold for a month.
Pricing and Plans
Monthly Membership: one product, $60
3-Month Membership: two products, $110
12-Month Membership: eight products, $315
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Best Variety: Mash&Grape
Mash&Grape
Key Specs
Starting Price: $69 per month
Free Shipping: No
Products per Delivery: 3, 6, or 12
Why You Should Try It
Mash&Grape’s wide assortment of small and independent producers gives you the best chance of growing an eclectic bourbon collection.Pros
Bottles from small and independent distilleries
Multiple subscription plans at same monthly price
Tasting notes and distillery info with each shipment
Cons
No free shipping
Only available in 25 states
Overview
It’s never a bad idea to deviate from your favorite bourbons. It’s how you discover new favorites, broaden your collection, and build your appreciation for the spirit’s eclectic possibilities. Mash&Grape’s bourbon subscription service makes an ideal guide for this type of growth. The company’s seasoned team of experts painstakingly searches the country for small and independent distilleries crafting bourbons worthy of sharing with their customers. Their handiwork results in a steady mix of smaller brands you’ve been meaning to try and labels you haven’t heard of before sent straight to your door every month. You’ll also get tasting notes and info sharing the distillery’s story.With your Mash&Grape subscription, you’ll receive one full-size bottle a month. The company offers three-, six-, and 12-month subscription plans at the same monthly price—a great option if you want to give a smaller plan a try to see if the service works for you. Mash&Grape also boasts an online store featuring a wide selection of bourbons from around the country, including some ultra-rare and limited edition labels.
Pricing and Plans
Three-month bourbon plan: $69 per month ($207 total)
Six-month bourbon plan: $69 per month ($414 total)
12-month bourbon plan: $69 per month ($828 total)
Other spirits plan: from $44 per month
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Best Value: PourMore
Pour More
Key Specs
Starting Price: $49 per shipment
Free Shipping: No
Products per Delivery: 3, 6, or 12
Why You Should Try It
PourMore’s budget-friendly subscription service doesn’t skimp on bourbon quality or style.Pros
Cost-effective tier option
Small batch, single barrel, and cask strength labels
Flexible delivery options
Cons
Shipping costs extra
Overview
Like any hobby, getting into bourbon is an investment. This can be intimidating if you’re new to the game and aren’t sure how to start. Fortunately, PourMore’s cost-effective monthly subscription services take the sting out of starting your journey. The bourbons that the tasting team acquires for the monthly bourbon service typically average 10 to 15% above your monthly subscription fee, so you’re getting a great deal with every delivery. You’ll also have the chance to receive some special selections, including small batch, single barrel, and cask strength bottles.PourMore offers two tiers within their bourbon club. The less-expensive intro tier is perfect for beginners, while the more-expensive bourbon explorer tier is ideal if you’re ready to dive into pricier bourbon expressions. Regardless of the tier, you can expect one full-size bottle to arrive at your door, along with tasting notes, a specialty cocktail recipe, and hyperlinks that lead to even more robust educational content. You can pay for your club on a monthly basis. If you know you’re in it for the long haul, you can choose to pay upfront for a three-, six-, or 12-month subscription and receive a price break.
Pricing and Plans
Bourbon Intro Tier: $49
Bourbon Explorer Tier: $79
Other spirit clubs: From $49
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Best for Sampling: Shots Box
Shots Box Key Specs
Starting Price: $299 for half-year membership
Free Shipping: Yes
Products per Delivery: 6
Why You Should Try It
With an abundance of monthly tasting bottles, Shots Box gives you ample opportunity to find new favorites fast.
Pros
A full bottle and mini-bottles in each shipment
Craft and small-batch labels
Free shipping
Cons
No monthly payment option
Overview
Shots Box designs its bimonthly bourbon boxes with one goal in mind: To grow awareness of craft brands. You’re the beneficiary of this noble goal. Each shipment features a “tasting box” filled with five 50-milliliter mini-bottles of craft, small batch, and intriguing labels the Shots Box team thinks are worthy of inclusion. You’ll also receive a regular 750-milliliter bottle of bourbon with each shipment. The company not only bases the large-format bottle on the previous minis, but it also gives you a say in what that bottle will be. If one of the minis particularly grabs your attention, let Shots Box know, and the full-sized version will be on its way. If you prefer, you can simply let the team pick the full-sized bottle for you.Shots Box gives you the option of choosing six- or 12-month prepaid membership plans. Regardless of the plan you choose, you’ll receive your bourbon subscription box on a bimonthly basis. You’ll also receive free shipping—an added bonus. Your first shipment comes with a pair of Glencairn tasting glasses and a tasting journal so you can properly sample the bourbon and break down the experience. Shot Box’s team provides the first full-sized bottle on the first shipment.
Pricing and Plans
Half-year membership: $299
Full-year membership: $499
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Best for Gifting: Bounty Hunter
Bounty Hunter
Key Specs
Starting Price: $99, $249 for bourbon
Free Shipping: Yes, with membership
Products per Delivery: 2-12, 2-6 for bourbon
Why You Should Try It
Bounty Hunter provides gift recipients benefits beyond the monthly subscription box.Pros
Free shipping
20% online store discount
Rare releases and barrel picksCons
Only ships to AK, CA, DC, FL, NE, NH, and ND, due to current restrictionsOverview
It’s common for monthly bourbon subscription boxes to feature gift options. So common, it produces a crowded field for gift givers to consider. Bounty Hunter’s Bourbon Trail Box stands out from this packed field because it offers your gift recipient special perks in addition to some exquisite bourbon. They can expect to receive a wide range of hand-selected bottles highlighting various bourbon styles, along with the occasional private barrel-pick selection and rare releases. In addition to this bourbon goodness, they’ll gain a 20% discount on Bounty Hunter’s entire online inventory, which also includes a stellar roster of wines in addition to bourbon and other spirits. They’ll also enjoy Trailblazer membership, a perk that lets them enjoy free shipping on their orders.You’ll have the option to send out shipments on a monthly or quarterly basis. The monthly option provides gift recipients with two full-size bottles a month, while the quarterly option gives them six full-size bottles in a single package. Each shipment is educational, too—cards with tasting notes and information detailing distillery history and bourbon’s distillation specs are included in each shipment. The cards also feature ordering info in case your friend, family member, or work colleague feels compelled to pick up an extra bottle.
Pricing and Plans
Bourbon Trail Club: $249
Other clubs: From $99
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Best for Bourbon Aficionados: Taster’s Club
Taster’s Club
Key Specs
Starting Price: $44.99/month, $69.99/month for bourbon
Free Shipping: No
Products per Delivery: 1-3
Why You Should Try It
With a stellar combination of hard-to-find bottles and deep education materials, Taster’s Club is perfectly suited for knowledge-hungry bourbon enthusiasts.
Pros
Receive award-winning and smaller craft labels
Digital 101s deliver education on each bottle
Flexible delivery
Cons
No free shipping
No shipping to AK, HI, KY, UT, or MS
Overview
If you’re a passionate bourbon fan, you’re likely not just interested in the juice. You’re into the story behind the distillery and the bourbon’s journey from grain to glass. You’re also on the hunt for the next new bottle to delight your palate. To that end, Taster’s Club acts as your kindred spirit. Its monthly bourbon subscription delivers bottles handpicked by its team of seasoned experts. You can expect labels from award-winning producers, but you’ll also occasionally receive limited-release and membership-exclusive bottles along with small-batch bourbons that may be tough to track down on your own. You’ll also receive digital links to the bottle’s Digital 101, an online video that digs into distillery history, detailed tasting notes, cocktail recipes, why it was chosen, and more. These videos will help even the most ardent bourbon aficionado better understand why they like a bottle.Taster’s Club offers a wide range of bourbon subscription packages. You can pay as you go on a monthly basis to give the service a whirl. If you’re ready to commit long-term, you can sign up for a prepaid three-, six-, or 12-month membership. Each option delivers one full-sized bourbon bottle to your doorstep each month. If you’re into other spirits, Taster’s Club also offers monthly clubs for gin, Scotch, tequila, and more.
Pricing and Plans
Bourbon of the Month Club subscription: $69.99/month
Three-month prepaid membership: $275.00
Six-month prepaid membership: $550.00
12-month prepaid membership: $1,100.00
Other spirits subscription: from $44.99/month
Final Verdict
When it comes to bourbon of the month clubs, Flaviar comes out on top. Its flexible, customizable subscription allows you to sample various bourbons via Tasting Boxes consisting of mini-bottles of premium bourbon selections curated by Flaviar’s in-house experts. If you like what you sip, you can choose to receive a full-sized bottle of your choice. Memberships come with perks that include guided tastings, monthly webinars, and live events.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Bourbon of the Month Clubs Work?
Bourbon of the month clubs ship full-sized or mini tasting bottles of bourbon to your front door at a set interval. This shipment typically ranges from a monthly to a quarterly basis, and most clubs use a team of experts to select the bottles in each shipment. In addition to bourbons, shipments feature any combination of tasting notes, information on the bourbon distillery, and cocktail recipes.
How Much Do Bourbon Subscriptions Cost?
The cost of bourbon subscriptions depends on shipment frequency. Monthly plans typically land within the $50 to $70 price range. Quarterly, biannual, or annual subscription services may require a single upfront payment, but the cost may contain a modest discount when the price breaks down on a monthly basis. Most subscription services charge an additional cost for shipping.
What Is the Difference Between Whiskey and Bourbon?
All bourbons are whiskey, but not all whiskies are bourbon due to specific federal regulations. A bourbon’s mash—that is, the grain mix used to produce distillate—must be additive free and at least 51% corn. The mash must also be distilled in new charred oak barrels and cannot be barreled at anything higher than 125 proof. Bottled bourbon cannot be lower than 80 proof.
Does Bourbon Go Bad?
Bourbon will not go bad as long as the bottle remains closed. Once the bottle is open, the juice has a shelf life of about one to two years. Certain factors contribute to this variance, such as the amount of bourbon in the bottle and the bottle’s exposure level to light and heat.
Methodology
We looked at roughly a dozen bourbon subscription services to build this review. We considered metrics pertaining to product quality and taste experience since these services typically feature curated bottles emphasizing craft, small batch, and hard-to-find selections. We also gave some consideration to subscription cost and plan options.