Our rating system

Most rating systems are either too general, with only five or ten different ratings a whiskey can receive, or they're too technical, trying to assign arbitrary weights to as many  metrics as they can ponder up. Instead, our rating system is designed to be specific and relative. Every whiskey is judged against all others.

There are two important elements of this rating system:

#1) This is purely a juice score. Rating systems become too messy when you include availability, price, and secondary value. These factors all constantly change, meaning the rating needs to be regularly updated. Instead, this rating system scores the whiskey in the bottle for exactly how good it is, and the decision about whether or not to actually buy the bottle can take the juice score and consider the real time availability, price, and secondary value. In the end of the day, we all come from different economic situations and have different relationships with how much we pay for our whiskey, so simply rating a whiskey on the quality of the juice itself is the most objective method.

#2) This is an exponential scale, designed to score anything and everything. The difference between an 8 and a 9 is much greater than a 5 and a 6. This thins the field at the poles: very few whiskies should earn a 9 (or a 2). This allows better differentiation between amazing whiskies that are better than 98% of the market and the true best of the best.

Now, the scale:

Score of 1: The worst whiskey imaginable. If I ever tasted something that said whiskey on the label and tasted like Jose Cuervo Silver, it would receive this rating.

Score of 2: Undrinkable whiskey. One sip and down the drain. 

Willett Pot Still.

Score of 3: Clearly not meant to be consumed neat, but gets the job done as a mixer. Rough, likely young, hard to make out any distinct flavors.

Jim Beam White Label, JD Old #7.

Score of 4: Drinkable neat, but not good. Very flawed and undesirable. You can distinguish some flavors, but you aren't enjoying the experience.

Basil Hayden Malted Rye, Glenfiddich 12. 

Score of 5: The point in which a whiskey goes from an unenjoyable to marginally enjoyable experience. You can begin finding specific flavors like caramel, oak, or cherry. Not at all special, but good enough to sip neat. 

Bowman Brothers Small Batch, Woodford Reserve.

Score of 6: Good. You can pick out some flavors. The stuff you give to your buddies who just got into bourbon, or the stuff you order at a bar when you don't want to break the bank but still want to feel like you're having whiskey. There's nothing super wrong with it, but it lacks the robust character of the "really good" stuff.

Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, Benchmark Bonded, Penelope Barrel Strength.

Score of 7: Very Good. This whiskey either does one thing very well, perhaps a particular fruity flavor or finish, or it does multiple things decently well, such as balancing caramel, oak, and cherry. This is a solid, very enjoyable sipping whiskey. This is a daily drinker.

Maker's Mark SPs, Widow Jane 10 Year, Breckenridge Port Finish, Knob Creek 12.

Score of 8: Excellent. This whiskey does multiple things very well. Several great flavors work together for an all-around amazing experience. This is a weekly sipper.

Average Stagg Junior batches (23A, 15), above average Four Roses Barrel Strength Single Barrels (OBSK, OESQ), Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend.

Score of 9: Incredible, a cherished favorite. It's really difficult to find any flaws with this pour. This is a special occasion whiskey.

Pappy Van Winkle 15, 9+ Year High Rye / OG Mashbill Willett Purple Tops, THH 2020.

Score of 10: Perfect. This rating should almost not exist. A whiskey that has no flaws. A nose that could be smelled for hours, a stellar palette and a long, loving finish.