Subscription boxes are all the rage at the moment, with folks having everything from homewares to rare chocolate delivered to their door or sent as a gift to a loved one. Of course, the alcohol industry was not going to pass up the opportunity to get involved, and frankly, we don't blame them after this year!
Luckily, whether you’re a vino connoisseur, you want to whip up some extraordinary gin cocktails or you fancy exploring the world of craft beer, there is an alcohol subscription box for you. You've just got to nail down the perfect one, which is where we step in. Featuring popular boxes from Flaviar, Craft Gin Club and Hoppily, read on to discover the best the UK has to offer.
Quick List - Top Alcohol Subscription Boxes
Honest Brew
The Brainchild of Beer Enthusiasts Who Couldn't Make Beer So They Bought and Sold It Instead
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Table of Contents
While the obvious decision to be made is about what type of alcohol you would like to receive, other nuanced factors could tip you in the direction of one company or another. In this section, we’ll be looking at and contemplating all of these subtleties.
Certainly, the most difficult decision is choosing the sort of alcohol you'd like to get delivered. You'll have the option of two types of subscription boxes; the first one will send you a specific type of alcohol. This could be beer, gin, whiskey or another spirit, but they will only ever send you different variations of that kind.
Then you have the boxes that provide various types of alcohol. Sometimes this is a mystery, so you put your decision in the hands of the company curators. With others, you will be required to physically change your subscription, for example, from tequila to scotch. Either way, this offers much more variation.
While we won’t try and tell you what you like, it is worth considering just how much you like it. If you only drink different types of beer because you're not a fan of liquor, then a beer subscription would be right up your street. If you like a bit of diversity, think about a box that offers a wider selection.
When it comes to spirits and cocktails, you tend to receive a smaller amount, such as a tasting selection of three 50 ml bottles of the given type of alcohol. However, the brand will also usually throw in some mixers or other cocktail ingredients, and even sometimes snacks to complement your drinks – just look for the ones which offer more for the best value box.
While all subscription box companies are different, generally speaking, you will always choose how much you receive and how often. But more on that later!
Another factor to consider is how much control over your subscription you have. Some companies will require you to be a little more adventurous as they will do all the deciding for you. This option is surely the most exciting, as you never quite know what you’re going to get. It can almost feel like a little shot of Christmas every month!
The other option is to have a little control. For example, if you were to subscribe to a wine website, you could choose only what type of wine you want – red, white or sparkling, for instance – and then let the company work their magic.
Lastly, you could choose precisely what you want in your box. This amount of control is rarer, but it can be worth looking for if you or the recipient are picky and concerned about wasting money. However, this can just feel like a glorified boozy takeout, and the sense of adventure with the other options does bring much more enjoyment.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the regularity of the deliveries and the costs. With alcohol subscription deliveries, you can either get them to arrive weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
The cost will be affected by both your decisions here – of course, the more often you have a box delivered, the higher the cost will be. For example, getting six bottles of wine delivered per week as opposed to per month is going to be four times the price.
When you sign up, you will have the option of registering for a certain amount of time: either a one-off or a rolling monthly, quarterly, bi-yearly or yearly subscription. However, subscribing for 12 months straight off the bat will likely cost you less overall than opting for a rolling one-month subscription.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Flaviar Subscription Club | ![]() | The Sophisticated Subscription Box | |
2 | Honest Brew Members Club | ![]() | The Brainchild of Beer Enthusiasts Who Couldn't Make Beer So They Bought and Sold It Instead | |
3 | Pull the Cork Discovery Club | ![]() | Get a Barrel-Load More for Your Money | |
4 | Craft Gin Club Subscription Club | ![]() | Love a G&T? Sign Up ASAP to the UK's Largest Gin Club | |
5 | MicroBarBox Gift Box Subscriptions | ![]() | A Classic Cocktail Subscription That Covers All Bases | |
6 | Hoppily Craft Beer Club | ![]() | Some of the Best in the Biz at Sourcing Exciting New Beers | |
7 | Muddle Box Home Cocktail Tasting Experience | ![]() | Take a Survey and Wait for Your New Favourite Cocktail Recipes | |
8 | The Dram Team Monthly Subscription Club | ![]() | Taste and Then Learn to Articulate Your Love of Whiskey | |
9 | The Cocktail Man Subscription Box | ![]() | Learn From One of the Best Mixologists Around | |
10 | Vinatis Wine Packs | ![]() | For Those Who Love All Things Wine |
If we were to hazard a guess, we believe this would be the choice of alcohol box for refined characters like Princess Margaret or James Bond. Flaviar allows you to choose your favourite tipple types from plenty of spirit varieties including rum, bourbon, tequila and whiskey.
From there, you'll receive three rare and original spirit samples every month and a bonus full bottle every quarter, which we believe is a fine way of rewarding customers. With shining recommendations from reputable media outlets like Esquire, Forbes and even Joe Rogan, this really is something to make you or a loved one feel sophisticated and special.
The brainchild of two excellent blokes that are as professional and clued up about beer as they are funny, Honest Brew is all about delivering good honest beer. The company also have an online store that they self-describe as the Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium of beer, and it's hard to disagree.
When it comes to the subscription, it's all as upfront and fuss-free as one could ever want. Simply hit subscribe and the folk there will build a box of wonderfully-curated beers to be delivered to your door monthly. And all for a very reasonable price, we must add.
Pull the Cork is a nationwide wine club that celebrates the natural, biodynamic, and organic wine scene and encourages you to find new flavours. When you receive your box you can attend virtual wine clubs to discuss and compare (tasting) notes, which is just the sort of wholesome idea that could see us through the rest of this topsy-turvy year.
The sessions are run by a panel of experts which will talk you through every sip, swirl and spit (although the last action is optional). It might be a little more expensive than other wine subscriptions, but you get a whole lot more for your money in terms of the experience, and we think that justifies the cost!
Welcome to the UK's biggest gin club. The drink has been having what can only be described as an omnipotent resurgence over the past few years, with pink and other fancy gins seemingly popping up everywhere. So why not have 'em pop through your door as well?
All of the produce is sourced by Clementine Beach, who is a gin-sipper of the highest calibre, and each bottle comes from an equally interesting and impressive distillery. While many spirit companies promote miniatures, the Craft Gin Club set the bar a little higher with a full bottle per order and even some sweet and savoury snacks, so it's really worth that few extra quid.
MicroBarBox are a company offering various gift and subscription boxes, from solely gin or vodka-themed to festive Christmas specials. However, we particularly like the classic cocktail subscription. This package is perfect for those that want to indulge and delight themselves with new taste experiences on a fairly regular basis.
Each month you'll receive up to five new cocktails which combine exciting spirits and mixers, so you can rest assured you're going to have a lovely surprise. And who knows? You might even your new fave tipple!
If you're looking to broaden your beer horizons and branch out from your regular Becks, then this craft ale box will be right up your street. When you join the club, you have the option of signing up for either eight or ten beers to arrive, and this can be done either as a rolling monthly, quarterly, bi-yearly or yearly subscription.
The company is known for its ability to source some of the most unique and exciting brews, so you know it'll only be new, interesting and taste sensations that appear on your doorstep. Featured breweries include Hackney Brewery, New Bristol Brewery, and Brew York, and if you find a favourite, you can order from the online shop, too.
Before you get started with Muddle Box, you first have to decide how much you'd like to receive, which is measured by how many drinks per week and for how many weeks. Once there, you'll complete a survey on what type of alcohol you'd like to give the curators some direction.
However, you'll never specifically decide, as once your survey has been sent you won't hear or see anything until the postie knocks at the door. When the box reaches you, it will contain everything you need to become the barman of Casa de Cocktails, so hold tight because everything is about to get a touch more delicious.
If you're a sucker for that malty, leathery and vanilla-tinged taste that's often associated with whiskey, then you're going to enjoy being a part of The Dram Team. The company will provide you with five high-quality miniatures, as well as one special 10 ml from a super-premium bottle.
Alongside the whiskey, you'll get tasting notes that will help you articulate the sophisticated sensations that your taste buds are picking up. This way, you'll know exactly what to say when your partner asks why you've been getting booze delivered to the house.
If you've ever fancied yourself as a bit of a mixologist, then this is the right place to start. The Cocktail Man is indeed a real person, and he goes by the name of James Vyse. He's the top mixologist who turned down his dream job at The Shard in London to focus on delivering cocktail-lounge quality drinks straight to your door.
You'll receive 3 x 50 ml of premium spirits (enough for 4-5 drinks), accompanied by the company's own 'Sliqueur' mixer, as well as a garnish for that elegant finishing touch. The recipes are seasonal, and currently include a gin-based Blackberry and Pear Bramble and a Toffee Apple Whiskey Sour. If you have the cash to splash, you won't regret this box.
First up, a box from Vinatis, which was made with wine, sparkling wine and champagne lovers in mind. They offer one-off wine packs and mixed cases, of which there are plenty to choose from, as well as giving the option to order from their online shop as you like.
There are different pack themes, such as 100% sparkling, or 'Award Winners', which gives you some control over where your money goes. They are already curated for you which may not appeal to everyone, however, seeing what's in them before you buy will make sure you only get what you want and will actually drink.
Before we begin, we wanted to put in a little disclaimer at this point. It's been a tough year for everyone, and this has seen an increase in our alcohol consumption. While it's true that sipping on a glass of your favourite tipple can be a relaxing end to a good or a bad day, remember to drink in moderation and keep it as something you enjoy rather than depend on.
Wondering which tipples top the bestseller lists in the UK? Whether you'd like some guidance on what to pick for your subscription box or you'd just like some recommendations to add to your weekly online shop, the articles below are sure to shed some light!
Whether you're an experienced alcohol aficionado or someone just stepping away from the bottom shelf wines and mass-produced lagers, there's always something new to try and interesting to learn when it comes to gastronomy. Now that you're all clued up, we look forward to the call to come and enjoy the drinks with you!
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: Flaviar|Subscription Club
No. 2: Honest Brew|Members Club
No. 3: Pull the Cork|Discovery Club
No. 4: Craft Gin Club|Subscription Club
No. 5: MicroBarBox|Gift Box Subscriptions
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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