Whisky Scoring Guide

Overall, I will be scoring a whisky on its quality and my personal enjoyment of it. A score of 5 is a legitimately average whisky, with no major flaws and one that is generally enjoyable to drink. A score of 1 will be extremely rare unless it is sought out purely because I know it is beyond terrible, which is unlikely. A perfect score of 10 is not impossible and I expect to have perfect scores given out eventually. Additional details will be listed below.

Reviews will include the year that I purchased the bottle and any batch or date information given. I will include the price I purchased it at (sans local sales tax, shipping, fees etc.), current pricing (or MSRP of a similar bottling) if significantly different that my purchase price, and potentially the auction pricing at the time of publishing if no reasonable equivalent is currently available. I may include value propositions within the review, however the score will not be affected. You may decide for yourself whether the price is worth the admission.

For a more detailed explanation of my scoring ethos, please read the following article:

Scoring Whisky: Simple or Quantum Mechanics?

Scoring Descriptions

1: Probably illegal

There is no reason that this poor of a product should ever exist in our lifetimes. I will try to verify that my bottle/sample have not been tainted in any way should I encounter something this poor.

2: Terrible

This is not something you want to drink. No redeeming qualities other than it contains alcohol which will help you on your personal journey to reevaluate your life choices.

3: Poor

Significant flaws that make drinking it neat difficult. The best use of these whiskies is likely mixed drinks or shooters. 

4: Below Average

Drinkable neat but with some obvious flaws. Not necessarily bad, but falls short of today’s market standards.

5: Average

Good and enjoyable overall. No major flaws nor anything extraordinary happening in the glass. I’m happy to drink these neat.

6: Above Average

Brings something more interesting to the table such as clear and interesting distillery character, clear but balanced cask influence, or something just to grab onto and enjoy. Definitely worth exploring.

7: Very Good

Now we are talking. This is starting to get exciting and I am looking forward to having more. Complexity is emerging beyond simple distillery character and cask influence. Time, environment, cask management and masterful blending are starting to take shape.

8: Excellent

I am starting to become conflicted on whether I want to share this with the world or hoard it for myself. This is good enough to make me stop and just be happy about my choice of hobby and that I was lucky enough to stumble onto this passion.

9: Wow

Liquid to be treasured and an experience to tell stories about for years to come. This is a whisky that deserves to be celebrated. A wonder in and of itself.

10: Stunning

Upon first sip, the world stops for a moment. No tasting notes. No critique. Time is now irrelevant, as there is only flavor. This whisky cannot be drunk standing up and tissues should be ready for the inevitable tears. An actual milestone in human achievement.