Review Guide

Our format is pretty easy to follow, but may be different from what you are accustomed.

Whisk(e)y Name
ABV
Price (SRP or range)
What the distillery/blender/producer says (including their tasting notes when available)
What we say (our tasting notes/rating)

Whiskeys will receive a rating of:

‘Must Buy’:  This is our highest rating, and saved for only those rare drams that we feel completely confident whisk(e)y fans could ‘buy blind’ (provided you’ve read the review; if you don’t like peat and the product is peated – that’s on you!)

‘Must Try’:  Our 2nd highest rating, saved for drams that are particularly special, but might be on the expensive side.

>‘Stands Out’:  These are products that . . . well . . . stand out!  Better than average from our perspective.

‘Average’:  Fairly ordinary drams.

‘Probably Pass’:  These are those pours that result in strange facial contortions (or maybe drinkable, but priced as if they’d wash your car and fold your clothes)

If something is a particular bargain (which can vary by category and market, but for example – a really great bourbon for under $25, or a great single-malt Scotch for under $50), we’ll also throw in a ‘Great Value’ rating.

Most of our reviews on our bottles that either we or friends have bought.  You may be wondering “Do we accept review samples?” Any samples we receive from distilleries or distributors will be clearly noted.

To access all of our reviews, click the ‘Reviews‘ link at the top of the page.  We do our best to post new reviews weekly, and our Reviews page groups them by region/style. Additionally, we will occasionally review non-whiskey spirits and beer.  We hope you enjoy our reviews.  Let us know if they are helpful.