Champions of Bourbon

Champions of Bourbon is Flaviar's bottle-of-the-month club exclusively for bourbon lovers. Each month, receive one full-size 750ml bottle of critically-acclaimed bourbon that has won a Gold Award or higher from renowned competitions, or received 90+ points from respected publications. Includes annual Flaviar Black Membership with exclusive perks.

Champions of Bourbon launched in 2024 as Flaviar’s dedicated bourbon-focused subscription, responding to growing demand from bourbon enthusiasts who wanted consistent access to award-winning bottles without the hunting and guesswork.

Pricing Plans

Plan	Price	Details	Savings
Pay-as-you-go	$73/delivery	Monthly billing	-
Prepay 3 deliveries	$186 total	$62/delivery	Save $32

All Plans Include:

• Free shipping & handling
• Annual Flaviar Black Membership
• Award-winning bourbon guarantee
• Better-than-retail pricing

What’s Included

Each Champions of Bourbon delivery features:

• One 750ml bottle of premium bourbon
• Gold Award winner or higher certification
• 90+ point rating from respected publications
• Tasting notes and distillery information
• Member access to exclusive releases

Award Criteria:

• Gold, Double Gold, or Best in Class awards
• 90+ points from Whisky Advocate, Wine Enthusiast, or similar
• Recognition from San Francisco World Spirits Competition, International Wine & Spirits Competition, or equivalent

How It Works

Champions of Bourbon monthly subscription cycle delivers critically-acclaimed bourbon bottles directly to your door:

1. Subscribe and Choose Payment Model: Visit Flaviar’s website and select Champions of Bourbon. Choose pay-as-you-go ($73/delivery billed monthly) or prepay for 3 deliveries ($186 total, $62/delivery, save $32). Both options include free shipping, handling, and annual Flaviar Black Membership valued at $40. Payment is charged monthly for pay-as-you-go, or upfront for prepaid plans.

2. Monthly Curation of Award-Winning Bourbon: Each month, Flaviar’s bourbon experts select one 750ml bottle that meets strict quality criteria:

• Gold Award winner or higher from renowned competitions (San Francisco World Spirits, International Wine & Spirits Competition)
• 90+ point rating from respected publications (Whisky Advocate, Wine Enthusiast)
• Recognition from industry authorities confirming exceptional quality
• Better-than-retail pricing - you’re getting premium bourbon at a discount

Unlike general whiskey subscriptions covering all categories, Champions focuses exclusively on bourbon, ensuring deep expertise and access to hard-to-find American whiskey.

3. Monthly Announcement and Preview: Approximately one week before shipping, Flaviar emails subscribers announcing that month’s Champions selection. The announcement includes:

• Bottle photo and brand/distillery information
• Award details (which competition, what medal/score)
• Detailed tasting notes (nose, palate, finish)
• Background story about the distillery or mash bill
• Retail value comparison showing your savings
• Why this bourbon earned its accolades

This preview builds anticipation and educates subscribers about what makes each bourbon exceptional. For pay-as-you-go subscribers, this is your window to skip the month if the selection doesn’t interest you.

4. Billing and Shipping Confirmation: Around the 15th of each month, Flaviar charges your payment method ($73 for pay-as-you-go, or draws from prepaid balance). You’ll receive an email confirmation with tracking information. All shipping and handling fees are included - no surprise charges. Adult signature is required upon delivery to comply with alcohol shipping regulations.

5. Bottle Delivery: Within 5-10 business days of billing, your award-winning bourbon bottle arrives. Flaviar uses professional packaging protecting the bottle during transit. Expect:

• 750ml bottle of critically-acclaimed bourbon
• Included tasting notes card for reference
• Information about the distillery, mash bill, and aging process
• Serving suggestions and cocktail ideas
• Details about the awards and recognition this bourbon received

Delivery timeframes vary by state due to alcohol shipping regulations. Most states receive within one week; some require longer processing.

6. Unbox and Research: When your bottle arrives, take time to research before opening:

• Read the included award details to understand why this bourbon stands out
• Check online bourbon communities (Reddit r/bourbon, Bourbon Forums) for member reviews
• Look up the distillery’s history and production methods
• Note the mash bill (percentage of corn, rye, wheat, barley) and how it affects flavor
• Review tasting notes to prepare your palate for what to expect

This research enhances appreciation and helps you taste more mindfully.

7. Tasting Experience: Open and taste your Champions bourbon using proper tasting methodology:

• Use a proper whiskey glass (Glencairn or similar tulip shape)
• Let the bourbon breathe for 5-10 minutes after opening
• Nose the bourbon to identify aromas (vanilla, caramel, oak, spice)
• Taste neat first to experience full flavor and proof
• Add a few drops of water to “open up” flavors and reduce burn
• Note the palate (initial flavors), mid-palate (developing flavors), and finish (lingering aftertaste)

Award-winning bourbons are crafted to be sipped and savored, not shot. Many subscribers reserve Champions bottles for special occasions, weekend relaxation, or sharing with fellow bourbon enthusiasts.

8. Leverage Black Membership Benefits: Your included Flaviar Black Membership ($40 annual value) provides ongoing perks:

• Exclusive bottle access to limited releases and private barrel selections
• Members-only pricing on bottles purchased through Flaviar’s shop (typically 10-20% off)
• Priority customer service with dedicated support team
• Early access to new subscription offerings before general release
• Community forum access to discuss tastings with fellow members
• Invitations to virtual bourbon tastings and distillery events

Black Membership renews annually as long as you maintain an active Champions subscription, adding significant ongoing value beyond the monthly bottle.

9. Rate and Provide Feedback: After tasting, log into your Flaviar account and rate the bottle 1-5 stars. Leave detailed feedback about what you liked or didn’t enjoy. While Champions selections are all award-winners, your ratings help Flaviar understand member preferences - whether you prefer high-rye bourbons, wheated bourbons, or specific flavor profiles.

10. Manage Subscription Flexibly: Through your account dashboard:

• Pay-as-you-go subscribers: Skip any month if the announced bourbon doesn’t interest you or if you have excess inventory
• Prepaid subscribers: Manage delivery timing within your 3-bottle commitment
• All subscribers: Update shipping address, payment method, or pause subscription temporarily
• Cancel anytime: Pay-as-you-go offers month-to-month flexibility; prepaid commits to 3 deliveries but allows cancellation after

Most bourbon enthusiasts stay active for 6-12 months, building a curated collection of award-winning bottles at better-than-retail pricing.

Timing: Bottles ship monthly, typically mid-month. Announcements arrive one week before billing, giving you time to skip if desired (pay-as-you-go only).

Who It’s For

Best For:

• Bourbon Enthusiasts: Those who love bourbon specifically and want to focus deeply on American whiskey rather than sampling across all spirits
• Award-Driven Collectors: Buyers who trust competition results and ratings as quality indicators and want confirmed excellence
• Time-Constrained Hunters: Busy individuals who lack time to visit multiple liquor stores hunting for allocated and limited-edition bourbons
• Value-Conscious Drinkers: Savvy shoppers recognizing $62-73 for award-winning bourbon delivers better pricing than retail while ensuring quality
• Gift Givers: People seeking monthly bourbon gifts for whiskey-loving partners, parents, clients, or friends
• Discovery-Minded Sippers: Those wanting to explore beyond familiar brands (Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark) to discover craft and small-batch distilleries
• Black Membership Maximizers: Subscribers who will leverage exclusive bottle access and member pricing to make additional purchases beyond the monthly delivery
• Consistent Quality Seekers: Drinkers tired of buying bottles that disappoint - Champions guarantees Gold Award minimum removes guesswork
• Monthly Ritual Enjoyers: Those who appreciate the anticipation of monthly arrivals as a predictable treat and conversation starter
• Home Bar Builders: People curating personal bourbon collections and wanting award-winners as centerpieces

Not Ideal For:

• Multi-Spirit Drinkers: If you want variety across whiskey categories (Scotch, Irish, Japanese) or other spirits (rum, gin), Champions’ bourbon-only focus feels limiting
• Casual Sippers: At $73/month ($876/year pay-as-you-go), this targets regular bourbon drinkers; if you only drink occasionally, monthly pace creates excess inventory
• Bourbon Beginners: If you’re new to bourbon and still developing your palate, premium award-winners are wasted - start with $30-40 retail bottles to learn preferences first
• Budget-Restricted Buyers: $73/month is premium pricing; if budget is tight, retail stores offer quality bourbon for $25-50 per bottle
• Control-Focused Selectors: Zero customization or selection control - Flaviar chooses all bottles based on awards, not your preferences
• Those Preferring Specific Profiles: If you only like wheated bourbons or high-rye bourbons, you can’t filter selections - you receive whatever Flaviar curates
• Retail Availability Prioritizers: Some prefer bottles they can easily repurchase if they love them - allocated Champions selections may not be available for repeat purchase
• Impatient Subscribers: Some customers report slower fulfillment times; if you need predictable delivery dates, this may frustrate
• Those Avoiding Subscriptions: One-time bourbon purchases from specialty retailers offer more control and no recurring commitment

Champions of Bourbon works exceptionally well for bourbon lovers who trust expert curation, appreciate award validation, and recognize the value proposition of $62-73 for critically-acclaimed bottles. The included Black Membership adds significant ongoing value for those who make additional purchases. However, the bourbon-only focus and lack of customization make this suitable only for dedicated bourbon enthusiasts rather than general whiskey explorers or casual drinkers.