Ranking System
Scoring System
The scoring system is ranked from 1 - 10. Actual rankings can have up to one decimal point, for instance a bourbon can rank at 7.1. This may change down the line, but for now I would like to stick to one decimal point to simplify things. When grading the whiskey at hand, I use three categories: aroma, palate, and finish. Each of those scores gets a ranking and then at the end, the scores are combined and divided by three to get an overall score.
To create this scoring system, I tried my best to give generic descriptions of each ranking. In doing this, my goal was try and give good baselines I can read while trying the whiskey at hand. This will help down the line determine what rankings I should give to each category based on how I am feeling verses reading other peoples reviews online and trying to match one to mine. This creates a more personal review that tries to eliminate any biases there may be!
One (1)
Down the drain. I will not drink this, even if given to me for free. Nope. Horrifically flawed in all areas and just tastes disgusting.
Two (2)
I mean, If I had nothing else to drink... All categories lack ALOT. To be honest, this bottle isn't really a good mixer. It could lack in taste completely or do the opposite and make the mixed drink taste worse ... this is bottom of the barrel in terms of choices.
Three (3)
Definitely a mixer. This bottle does not taste well straight or over ice. It needs to be in a cocktail or something that manipulates the flavor. Usually lacking in all three categories. I would consider this category to be a very cheap bottle you do not care about, and bring out when a bunch of random people are coming over and you are making mix drinks.
Four (4)
I could maybe drink this straight, but probably better as a mixer. These bourbons I rank as a 1/3. They have one category that is decent, but the other two lack. Maybe that one category justifies drinking it neat, but usually I would see a bourbon ranked a 4 as a mixer. There may be some notes in there you dislike, not enough to not drink the bottle, but enough to rank it below an "average" bourbon.
Five (5)
An overall decent whiskey. Similar to the "6" rating description, but just not quite making the cut. A "5" rated bottle in my opinion is just plain average. Nothing special but nothing bad. Just your standard tasting bottle. You can do really whatever with it whether that is drinking it straight, over ice, mixing, etc. If I don't have the bottle on hand, I am not too worried. These are usually bottles I see everywhere at grocery stores as well. These could rank as 2/3 categories being decent with one category lacking. This could also be very young juice needing more time to age.
Six (6)
A good whiskey. This is a whiskey that may not have ranked excellent in any categories, but did fairly well in all categories. I wouldn't mind not having a bottle ranked as a 6 on deck, but if I ever saw a "6" rated bottle for a really good price while whiskey hunting, I would pick it up. Whiskeys that are rated a 6 are a great whiskey to give out samples of for new whiskey drinkers. They are not something you really miss when its out, but good enough to give a consideration at the liquor store when finding it on the shelf.
Seven (7)
Overall, a very good whiskey. I would categorize these whiskeys as being excellent in one of the categories, while being good in the other two. These whiskeys can have a nice fruity flavor, a really long finish, or a great aroma. The whiskey usually has these categories flowing nicely together as well, creating a nice complex bottle. A score of 7 is where I would like most of my whiskey collection to be at or above. I always want a bottle on hand with scores of 7 or above. It isn't a record breaker bourbon, but overall its a good solid whiskey. I would potentially consider paying a little bit above MSRP for these bottles.
Eight (8)
These are excellent rated whiskeys, I would easily buy a case of them if money allows. They are delicious and complex, you want to drink them every day if you could! These may be excellent on two of the three categories, but maybe lacking SLIGHTLY on one of the categories. These are definitely what I see a good "high tier whiskey" being baselined at. Definitely a weekend sipper. I would pay secondary for these bottles.
Nine (9)
One of my all time favorite bottles, aroma/palate/finish is superb in every way, each category is hit hard. Really hard to find flaws in this bottle. It is for VERY special occasions and not drank alot to ruin the palate to other "lesser" whiskeys. These are bourbons I HIGHLY recommend everyone try at least once in their life, they are on another level.
Ten (10)
To receive a 10, it needs to be perfect. It is a whiskey you HAVE to buy every time you find it. These should not exist as there are no perfect whiskeys out there. But if you ever find a whiskey rated high nines, ALMOST reaching that ten mark, you need to buy them.
Personalized Baseline Whiskeys
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