Bespoke Post BUTCHER Box Review & Coupon – November 2015

Time for a fresh look at one of my favorite Bespoke Post boxes – The Butcher. Bespoke Post is a men’s lifestyle subscription box. Each month, you’ll get to choose from one of the limited-edition boxes filled with an array of products built around a central, unique theme. There are usually two or three new boxes to choose from every month in addition to a selection of past boxes. One of the great things about this subscription is that you can skip the month if you’re not interested in it. Save $9 on your first box with coupon code FREEBEER.

The latest Bespoke Post is THE BUTCHER.   I’ve actually reviewed this box before (see my 2013 Bespoke Post Butcher Box Review), but the contents are all new for 2015.

 Preparing your food is an art.

One that’s a lot easier when your cutting board has some serious artistic chops. This one was born for cooking and entertaining alike, thanks to a handsome edge-grain construction. It’s easy on knives when you’re whipping up a recipe, and can work overtime as a serving tray when you’re dishing out some snacks. Lay out a spread, pour yourself a drink, and enjoy.

As always, Bespoke Post arrived carefully packed in a rust orange box.

The booklet is an extended info card, providing a paragraph of information on each item in your box.  The tone is light and fun, but you get the pertinent details.  Then, there is always a brief style, grooming, or hacking guide that is thematically related to your current Bespoke Post selections — this box gave some advice on setting up a “snacking board,” a less haughty and more diverse version of the cheese plate.  Also included were tips on proper use and care of a knife — good stuff to know if you want to get the most out of your Butcher kit.

 
Everything in the Bespoke Post Butcher box.  As usual, the selections are eminently practical, but elegant, as well.  This time around, the Butcher had selections more closely tailored to creating a great cheese plate or charcuterie board.  The selections were very thoughtful, and I could see serving all the condiments on a single tray, needing to add only some cured meat (unless you chose the Sopressata, in which case you are nearly there), bread, and a couple cheese selections to make an impressive spread.

Brooklyn Butcher Blocks Edge-Grain Butcher Block (approximately $45):  This item alone covers the cost of the box.  Last time around, the board was made by Treeline Woodworks, and we still use it daily.  This Brooklyn Butcher Blocks board looks even more durable!  The board is very heavy for its size, the cherry and maple being dense and free of hollows.  The “edge grain” construction aligns the wood in such a way as to maximize its resilience.  I like the look better than the last one, too:  it has a large maple are in the middle instead of alternating throughout, creating an aesthetic zone within the cherry borders.  It is a very beautiful board.

Unbound Pickling “Bacon” Pickles (Vegetarian) ($9):  Subscribers could choose between this item or a 5 oz Sopressata Handcrafted Salami from Creminelli Fine Meats. My wife couldn’t resist the pickles.  This is a cool product, being vegetarian, yet having the smoky flavor of a well-cured bacon.  Natural hickory smoke makes these pickles a perfect choice to add a distinct layer of flavor to a platter.

Ft. Greene Farms Sriracha and Pickled Mustard Seeds ($5):  A very versatile set of condiments.  Sriracha is a great complement to any savory food — although it is Southeast Asian in origin, the hot pepper and garlic composition are universally delicious.  The mustard seeds make a sophisticated alternative to prepared mustard and can be used on sandwiches, roast meats, lox, etc.

CAMP Single Origin Dark Drinking Chocolate with Organic Coffee ($3):  This is grown-up hot chocolate.  The addition of coffee makes this a perfect morning indulgence.

Bee Local Honey Sticks ($1.20):  You can sip this high-quality honey straight from the tube, but it also makes a superb sweetener in tea, or a fancy drizzle for soft cheeses or tart fruits.

My applause for the Bespoke Post Butcher collection.  The board is even nicer than the last go, and the additional items are more focused and appropriate.  Their shop also has great à la carte and add-on items, like high-quality knives, to fully equip your kitchen.

Bespoke Post was one of my very first subscription boxes, and I still order it regularly.  Everything is very high quality, and the fashion items are very tasteful.  Most of all, I find that the selections are extremely useful.  Butcher is a great box, and my board from over a year ago is in constant use at my house, as I’m sure this one will be as well.  It definitely displays the old Bespoke Post magic, combining utility and elegance.

Visit Bespoke Post to sign up or to find out more or to subscribe!