Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 7 best whiskey subscription boxes in 2023

Subscription services are still all the rage. A good whiskey option is a great choice to enhance your appreciation of the spirit.

Flaviar
Flaviar
Best Overall
Jump to details
Caskers
Caskers
Best for Rare Whiskies
Jump to details
Pour More
Pour More
Best Variety
Jump to details
Craft Whisky Club
Craft Whisky Club
Best for Rising Distilleries
Jump to details
Tasters Club
Tasters Club
Best for Beginners
Jump to details
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Best for Scotch Lovers
Jump to details

A subscription service is a sweet thing indeed, setting us up with specialty items delivered straight to where we live. These days, the spectrum is broader then ever, with the category dealing in things from clothing subscription boxes and grooming kits to bacon and healthy meal kits.

Spirits have entered the fray too. Whiskey fans can sign up and receive special selections of their favorite spirit, sourced from all over the map. It's a great service for the novice and expert alike, as there are many options, tiers, and educational levels. Plus, they show up at your place, turning a regular mail day into a celebratory one.

Whether you're after a bold Scotch, a deftly-blended bourbon, or a spicy rye, you're sure to find pleasure with one of these subscription avenues. Think of it as a whiskey club of the month. Here they are, the seven best whiskey subscription boxes in 2023.

Flaviar subscription with whiskeys on table.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Flaviar

Best Overall

We know, we're not the only ones tooting the Flaviar horn. The philosophy of the subscription service is so sound that it's often mimicked by others joining the fray. There's a nice mix of formats as each shipment includes a full bottle along with several small tasting vials. Additionally, the selections tend to be quite hard to find, and they are accented by exclusive virtual tastings as well as visual tasting notes that map out the singular flavor profiles you'll enjoy. And it really does feel like a club, so take advantage of all of the amenities, from a remarkable online bottle shop to spirits education seminars.

Flaviar
Flaviar
Best Overall
best booze delivery services caskers
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Caskers

Best for Rare Whiskies

It's not often an inexpensive enterprise gaining access to the really rare. But it does tend to be worth the extra dollars. That's certainly the case with Caskers, especially the World of Whiskey Club. You're not just getting top-shelf material. Instead, you're getting limited run offerings from all over the planet that typically remain under lock and key, at least for the regular crowd. Accompanying the two bottles per shipment are digital tasting notes and red-carpet access to things like very rare releases and just-bottled whiskies. You'll feel pampered, which is partly the point (along with good whiskey, of course).

Caskers
Caskers
Best for Rare Whiskies
best whiskey subscriptions pour more
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pour More

Best Variety

If you're after variety, it's tough to top Pour More. The service boasts three tiers of its whiskey club, ranging from $49 to $129 per month. The whiskey category covers all of the major styles and sources bottles from all over the globe. It's a great way to navigate the many details within the spirit category and really hone in on what your palate prefers. And for those looking to gift a subscription, this is also a solid choice as the presentation and custom letters offer a nice, personalized touch to the service.

Pour More
Pour More
Best Variety
scotch on a budget
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Craft Whisky Club

Best for Rising Distilleries

One of the many merits of the Craft Whisky Club is its commitment to new producers. A subscription here will expose you to some great whiskies, before they're subjected to rave reviews or end up on some discerning celebrity's Instagram feed. We love the old guard, but it's refreshing to try some work from what's likely to be the future of the spirit. Even cooler, membership sets you up with complementary bites to go along with your booze.

Craft Whisky Club
Craft Whisky Club
Best for Rising Distilleries
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tasters Club

Best for Beginners

In addition to a fair price point and options for just about every spirit, from bourbon to rum to vodka, Taster's Club is great for those just wetting their toes in the world of whiskey. You'll be treated to standout producers like Balcones in Texas or Sonoma County Distilling Company, respected labels that offer great glimpses of the spirit. Perhaps even more attractive to the whiskey newbie is the club's straightforward membership approach (you can cancel whenever you want), fit with informative yet approachable tasting notes.

Tasters Club
Tasters Club
Best for Beginners
best whiskey subscriptions smws subscription whiskeyy
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Best for Scotch Lovers

Exclusivity is the name of this society's game. Premium Scotch producers create special batches reserved just for members, meaning you'll be enjoying something you simply can't find at even the best bottle shop in town. What started as a small club in Edinburgh in 1983 is now one of the leading brown spirits clubs on the planet. Not only are selections pulled from small outfits all over the globe, they're subjected to an esteemed tasting panel before being issued a yay or nay. In short, quality will never be lacking among these single cask offerings. Members are invited to events in both the US and UK and gain access to the society's digital publication, Unfiltered. The Scotch selections are outstanding but there are also ryes, bourbons, and other whiskey varieties that make the society's grade.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Best for Scotch Lovers

You're all set, whether you're looking to dip your toes in whiskey or fine-tune your vast knowledge of the stuff. These services are great, exposing you to new flavors, styles, and more. Oh, and in case you forgot how to drink whiskey, we've got you.

Editors' Recommendations

Mark Stock
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
The best tequilas you can buy for less than $20
These wallet-friendly tequilas taste much more expensive than they are
best tequilas under 20 espolon tequila

Tequila can start a party. It also can end one very quickly. Your focus should stay on those that can star at any gathering. A solid tequila doesn't have to break the bank, either. Also, keep this in mind when looking for quality tequila, affordable or not: Make sure it's 100% agave. Those headache-inducing tequilas of your past were more than likely only part agave -- they just need to be 51%. The additional sugar in those was likely your culprit.

All tequila hails from the Mexican state of Jalisco. All start as Blue Weber Agave and take a wonderful ride to reach their final destination on a drinker's palate. This Mexican spirit has a beautiful, rich history. The excellence of this well-made spirit can be witnessed even in inexpensive versions -- neat or mixed into a tasty margarita.

Read more
10 incredible whiskey decanters (they’re not just for wine)
The best whiskey decanters you can get

Right up there with a Champagne saber or a pair of crystal glasses, a decanter is an elegant tool for the drinks enthusiast. We typically associate them with wine (and for good reason, as they can aerate and open up a tight bottle of red) but they're great for spirits too. In fact, a good whiskey decanter is a host's dream, offering a beautiful way to present and pour your favorite bottle.

You've seen them before, set atop bar carts in old black-and-white movies or on the set of Mad Men. They're a stunning way to dress up your bourbon, rye, or Scotch, and can even make a cheap-to-average bottle seem much more classy. On top of that, they really allow you to enjoy the color and viscosity of whatever it is you're pouring.

Read more
The best Irish whiskeys come in these 12 bottles
Looking for a great Irish whiskey to try? Start with this proper list of a dozen best bets.
whiskey bar

Ireland knows a thing or two about whiskey. After all, it's home to the oldest commercial whiskey distillery in the world, dating back to 1608. But with such a rich heritage and plethora of options, where should you direct your glass?

Well, Irish whiskey is actually a pretty manageable category, unlike the endless seas of, say, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or Scotch. Despite its massive popularity, Ireland hosts a relatively small amount of distilleries. But there's plenty of variation and quality within that span and we have our favorites.

Read more