Score weights
The score system at this time is based on a point system that averages into something out of 10. The following scores are done this way to provide fairness and demonstrate unbiased opinions to not factor into the scoring process. Regardless some people will still feel that the scores are biased in a way and disregard this. Thus we always say do with this information as you see fit. If it encourages you to buy a bottle that is great, and if it doesn’t that is ok too.
| Calculation Number | Category type | Point Weights | Score Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Taste | 100% | Out of 10 |
| A2 | Harshness | 100% | Out of 10 |
| A3 | Value | 100% | Out of 10 |
| A4 | Unique / Standout Character | 75% | Out of 10 |
| A5 | Nose | 25% | Out of 10 |
| ——————— | Overall | =(sum(A1:A3) + (A4 * .75)+ (A5 * .25)) / 4 | Out of 10 |
Example:
| Category | Score | Raw Values |
|---|---|---|
| Taste | 7/10 | (1 * .7) = .7 |
| Harshness | 9/10 | (1 * .9) = .9 |
| Value | 4/10 | (1 * .4) = .4 |
| Unique / Standout Character | 8/10 | (.75 * .8) = .6 |
| Nose | 2/10 | (.25 * .2) = .05 |
| Overall | 6.5/10 | .6625 |
Score Categories Explained
Taste
Taste is hands down to me one of the most important categories out of the ones we review. If it wasn’t for this category or area, why would we drink alcohol at all. We don’t enjoy food if they don’t taste good or appeal to our palates, so why would we do the same with anything else. I’m not a fan of beer’s taste, so your hard pressed to find me doing a review of that here on this website.
What I am looking for in a spirit are the some basic flavors that are appealing. Those values are true for every category of spirits and thus people will taste different things. Below is a few notes for each category (updated 2023)
- Whiskey \ Bourbon
- Vanilla, oak, and caramel. Occasionally peanuts
- Tequila
- Agave, Citrus, Vanilla, Orange, hints of pepper
- All these are from various types of processes that occur during the making of tequilla
- Rum
- Vanilla, Banana, Sugar Cane, Tobacco, spices in some cases
- Scotch
- Malt prodominately. Occasionally peat (Smokiness) intensity depending on the type
- Other flavors can be fruity or wheaty
- Irish Whiskey
- Malt Predominately
These are also a very limited aspect to what we are looking for. The layers of each sip, do the flavors complement each other, are they long or short noted. There are many factors and below are a list of things I’m looking for in this category.
- Complexity:
- Is it Simple?
- Is it one noted?
- It has multiple layers, then how many?
- Layers of each flavor and their transitions
- How many layers?
- Is this one noted?
- Are they mimicking other type of spirits beyond their own?
- Are the flavors clean and crisp?
- Is the spirit confused on flavors?
- Are the flavors clashing and causing an un-enjoyable experience?
There are many factors here that play into this score category and supports the importance of the scoring for this category
Harshness
This is the what I call the teeth of the spirit. Some bite hard while other don’t bite at all. Some are nice to drink without being watered down, while others need something to tame the bite. That is the harshness of the spirit. Why do we rate this category at all you say? Well some spirits in this industry offer varying proof levels to the consumer. Below are categories for each spirit:
- Bourbon \ Whiskey
- Cask Strength: 120 Proof or above
- Minimum Proof: 80 Proof or above
- Bottled in bond: 100 Proof only
- Tequila
- 80 Proof or above
- Rum
- 80 Proof or above
- Scotch
- Minimum: 80 Proof or above
- Irish Whiskey
- 80 Proof or above
Anything below 80 proof is generally considered a liquor at that point.
For this category, the higher the number the less harsh or more smooth the spirit is considered. If a spirit is too harsh, this can sway people entirely from either the bottle itself all the way to drinking that category as a whole. This is very true with scotches and whiskies. Below hopefully explains the scores representation of this as a whole:
- 1 – 3: Not very smooth or had lots of alcohol burn, would require a lot of water or altering to tame
- 4 – 6: Some alcohol burn, tolerable, generally doesn’t need water
- 7 – 10: Very smooth, hardly any alcohol burn, should not require water at all.
Value
For this its bang for your buck. This is generally influence by perception and can be defined as the following:
- Is the whiskey worth the msrp?
- Do the components make up the value towards that msrp?
- Is this a cash grab?
This one is more opinionated in factor and really alures to the perception that we either received a good deal or were ripped off in the process. There isn’t number that corresponds to this, but a lower number means that value isn’t present and a higher one indicated your getting a lot of spirit for your money.
Uniqueness / Standout Character
For this category, I am looking for what is different. What is this spirit doing that no other spirit is doing. This can be from a variety of things. The unique cask to the combinations of spirits. Whatever it is we take into consideration.
Example Factors:
- Unique Cask flavor
- Depth of flavor
- Standout flavors
- If put in a crowd of 10, how would it stand out
These are not limited to just these in generally, but are not left out when taken into consideration. Scores can reflect the following:
- 1 – 2: Takes away from the drinking experience
- 3 – 4: Interesting, but doesn’t add to the experience
- 5: Average, does not add or detract from the drinking experience.
- 6 – 8: Interesting, adds to the experience
- 9 – 10: Life changing uniqueness
Nose
Nose to me is a initial greeting to what is to come before you sip. The hard part about this category is there are defiantly a lot of smells that can alter your perception of the drink itself. I have found in my journey through this that there some bad scents to spirit that would turn you away, but ended up being awesome in the flavors, characteristics, and value. I don’t discredit the contributions to the overall score, but it does not hold the same weight to me as the other categories.
- 1 – 3: Bad smells / scents, or no scents at all
- 4 – 6: average smells or what is expected of that spirit
- 7 – 10: Lots of smells and are adding to the experience of the drink
SHORT FORM REVIEWS
Due to my limited time and the fact that I do this for a hobby I will be shorting the reviews to most taste and review scores. If an exceptional bottle comes out or feel the drive then I will write a full review that includes the history. The goal of my website is to show my opinions on good spirits rather than focus on the history of the spirits. Hopefully this new format will allow me to get more reviews out for others to hopefully get useful information out of them.
