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Looking for a holiday gift idea for a dude or foodie in your life? Today I'll be sharing a review of the Bespoke Post Slate box, which I think would fit the bill quite nicely for both of those parties. Or for me. Please send this box to me, strangers on the internet. Chomp.
Not familiar with Bespoke Post? It's a monthly lifestyle subscription service geared towards men (though some of their boxes could be lady-appropriate too!) Each month, subscribers receive a detailed box description via e-mail, and they can choose to have the box shipped to them, switch to a different box type, or skip the month entirely. They generally have at least six different limited edition box types on offer at any time—think clothing, accessories, male grooming products, food, etc. You can browse the current selection of boxes here. Bespoke Post costs $45 per month (including shipping inside the continental United States) for subscribers, or $55 if you want to buy a one-off box, which a promised value of at least $70. They do ship to Alaska/Hawaii and Canada—check out their FAQ for rates!
"Slate" is a foodie box that features a variety of small-batch nibbles. I got Stan to help me with my taste-test, since this is supposed to be a box for the fellas!
Pernicious Pickling Co. Spicy Pickled Green Beans (16 oz, value $10):
Customers were able to choose between these pickles or a gourmet salami. You guys ... THESE ARE SO GOOD I CAN'T EVEN. They have some serious heat (both thai chiles and habaneros!), lots of garlic, and super-tangy pickle pickliness. Stan actually didn't like the texture of these, but you know what? GOOD! More for me, nomnomnom. I just munched on them as-is, but I think they would go exceptionally well in a spicy bloody mary. I give these a 10 out of 10, though Stan gives them a much more modest 5 out of 10.
Pickle cam:
Oh how I wish I had more of these.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon Brittle (2oz, value $5):
A nut brittle made with bourbon distilled by Buffalo Trace. I got Stan to taste this and he said it was "Smoky, crunchy, not too sweet. Eight out of ten stars." I think he generally feels sort of "meh" about brittles, so that's pretty good.
Old Town Oil Signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Reserve Balsamic Vinegar (5oz ea., value $13.80):
High-quality oil and aged balsamic vinegar, suitable for dipping, dressing salads, or just drinking like Kool-Aid (OK, maybe not the last one). This set is another OMFG so good—the oil has a light, herby taste, and the vinegar is more thick and syrupy and sweet than your typical expensive balsamic vinegars (though of course it has a nice tang to it as well). Stan and I both give these a 10 out of 10.
It's like an eyeball I could stare into forever.
Mustard & Co. Garlic Dill Mustard (4oz, value $7):
An old-school grainy mustard made with lots of dill and garlic. I looooooove grainy brown mustards and this one didn't disappoint. I don't think I've ever had one with dill in it before, but it added a nice freshness to it that I think would go well in a vinaigrette. Or on bread. Which is how we first tried it.
GO IN MY FACE NOW PLEASE. The only thing I didn't like about this mustard was the packaging—the bottle has a very narrow neck which makes it difficult to get it all out. For flavor alone though, I give this an 8/10 and Stan gives it a 9/10.
Daneson #22 Bourbon Toothpicks (1 bottle, value $9):
Big, high-quality toothpicks ... laced with bourbon?! These have a subtly smoky, boozy taste that's "warming" but won't make your face smell like you've been on an all-night bender. We're not exactly toothpick connoisseurs, but these are quite nice so I'll give them a 9 out of 10. Stan says "6 out of 10—I wish they were floss!" Bourbon floss? Weirdo.
And last but not lease, the item this box is named for: A lovely natural slate cheese board from Brooklyn Slate Co. (value $30). These are sort of rustic and elegant at the same time, and perfect for serving all sorts of nibbles—doesn't have to be cheese.
The board also came with a little hunk of soapstone chalk, which you can use to write down your cheese varietals or curse words or whatever.
Or to practice your cartooning skills.
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Total box value: Approximately $74.80
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Overall impressions:
What a fabulous box! The slate board is of course the star of the show (and it's quite nice), but I feel like everything else in the box was extremely well-selected and actually delicious, not just "oh here's some nice packaging but OH NO WAIT BLAND SADNESS." Pick up a bottle of wine or bourbon and a baguette and you've got a party ready to go with this box! Overall I give the Bespoke Post Slate box a 9 out of 10, and Stan gives it a "solid eight."
If you like what you see, the Slate box is still available for purchase, so grab it while you can! Use coupon code RESCUE to save 30% off your first box. I think this (or any of the Bespoke Post boxes) would make awesome gifts, and yes, they do have gifting options.
What do you think of the Bespoke Post Slate box? Do you enjoy getting food boxes as a gift?
Disclosure: The box featured in this post was provided to me for review purposes, however any opinions expressed above are honest and my own. I did not receive any other form of compensation. For more information, check out my full disclosure policy.
Oh man this box is awesome! My fiance had such a hard time choosing which one he wanted this month, and this was one of the boxes he was thinking of grabbing. I love that these boxes are so nice and specifically for men because there are way too many female-centered boxes! I might pick some of these up for friends and family for the holidays. That mustard is calling my name though...I might need to grab this particular box for myself lol ;)
ReplyDeleteI was waffling between this one and the Highland box actually. I *feel* like my BF would have loved the scarf, but I *KNOW* he loves food, haha. And I want more of those pickles! Especially now that I know he won't eat them, buahahaha.
ReplyDeleteI need to decide on a food subscription box. This one looks very promising!!!
ReplyDeleteoh yea as soon as my fiance saw the scarf he was like, "OMG WANTTTTT." It's so nice. Ridiculously nice. I think the Highlands box is going to be a repeat buy for gift purposes. That scarf is just way too good for the $45 price tag, plus the other stuff is just an awesome bonus. I think my grandfather would LOVE the Slate box though. He's such a foodie!
ReplyDeleteOo! I got the Dopp Kit box which is also fabulous but this one looks great! Tell Stan to get on that whole "bourbon floss" thing, he could start a business! :D And you are right... That is a really weird bottle to put mustard in. You can't even squeeze it :\
ReplyDeleteI've only tried a handful of food/snack boxes, but this is one of my favorite ones so far!
ReplyDeleteHaha yup. I ended up scooping some of the mustard out of the bottle with a chopstick - probably not the traditional method, I think.
ReplyDeletewould love to try that mustard garlic dill !!
ReplyDeleteholllllly crap I want this box!
ReplyDeleteThe food itself doesn't interest me personally but Bespoke Post does interest me in general. I think its a cool sub box esp since you can pick which boxes you want.
ReplyDeleteTo have to choose between anything pickled or salami, now that would have been a conundrum of a decision for me! My kingdom for quality EVOO- it doesn't get better for those who love to cook. :) A box of food is never wrong in my books!
ReplyDeleteWendy | Fashionable Heart
Pickled green beans are suuuuuuuper easy to make and green beans are pretty cheap at the mo', at least where I live. Last time I made some I discovered what I REALLY loved where the whole cloves of garlic I'd stuck in the jars (mild, nutty, not stank-breath inducing) but I have not yet convinced myself to just do a whole jar thereof.
ReplyDeleteIt's really delicious!
ReplyDeleteWell go get it then! Or at least get the pickles. Mmm, pickles.
ReplyDeleteThat's the nice thing about Bespoke Post, they have a variety of boxes. The food is right up our alley but I could see how it wouldn't be everyone's thing!
ReplyDeleteSame here! I'd gladly accept a box of nice condiments for any gift-giving occasion. :P
ReplyDeleteI've actually made pickled green beans before - I just think these folks got the seasoning spot-on. So spicy and delicious. But OMG YES to the garlic! I made an enormous jar of soy pickled garlic and it gives me the worst breath ever, but I still love it. Kind of time-consuming to peel it all though!
ReplyDeleteYeah, those green beans didn't last long at all. But I'm not even sorry!
ReplyDelete