I have been a customer of Flaviar's for almost two years now. I will admit that in the company's infancy they DID have shipping issues - I am happy to say that those issues have been remedied and now they ship my purchases to me in about a week from time of purchasing on-line. I find this to be in keeping with the finer liquor stores from across the pond.
I do extensive research before making a purchase spanning the globe for uncommon to rare (read: shuttered distilleries) bottles and have amassed a collection of over three hundred bottles with an approximate current market value of $40,000 U.S.D. - so I take my liquor VERY seriously. Flaviar does an EXCELLENT job of providing a myriad of spirits for the consumer. Their pricing is consistently competitive and often far less expensive than even the most aggressive stores here in the states, three bottles immediately come to mind:
- Glendronach 15 year - Flaviar $70, here in the U.S. $100 + tax
- Glenfarclas 105 - Flaviar $60, here in the U.S. $80 + tax
- Laphroaig Quarter Cask - Falviar $45, in the U.S. $60 + tax
All three of these bottles are mainstays in my bar for entertaining friends and all are well-received.
When you couple this outstanding pricing with free shipping (when you buy ANY three bottles) the savings are HUGE!!!
Whenever they have the Glendronach 15 yr on special (I'd say every four months) I pick up 3-4 bottles. Folks, single malt scotch on average goes up 15% a year (especially fro over marketed products like Macallan).
My personal recommendation is for you to pick up three bottles of Glendronach 15 yr (if you're into sherried single malt) next time they advertise it and compare it to a bottle of Macallan 18 yr. I find the Glendronach to be more complex and you're basically paying the SAME amount for THREE bottles of Glendronach 15 yr vs. ONE bottle of Macallan 18 yr.
It is my hope that eventually they add an auction house to services to accommodate my sweet tooth for Brora, Caperdonich Dallas Dhu and Port Ellen - until then though I will happily sip on dram after dram of fine single malt from operational distilleries and laugh all the way to the bank with the money I've saved.
If you tried Flaviar in the past and were unhappy with the shipping time do yourself a favor and try them again, you WON'T be disappointed!
Prost!
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend