Review Methodology


I will be rating the whiskies in 4 categories: Nose, Palate, Finish and Overall. 

Nose is how the whisky smells. I look for complexity and balance in the nose. The nose has to be inviting. The flavors should be assertive without giving away everything.

Palate is how the whisky tastes and feels in the mouth. I look for complexity and balance in flavor. The flavors have to be layered without causing chaos or confusion. The whisky must also have a body that carries the flavor throughout the palate. 

Finish is the experience after swallowing or spitting the whisky. I look for a medium to long finish with the complexity and balance in flavor holding all the way to the end. A little warmth at the end does not hurt. 

Overall is how all the phases work together. The flavor and aroma must compliment each other. There should be continuity from nose to palate to finish. The whisky must make sense in all categories. There should be harmony from the first sniff to the last drop.  

Each category will have a maximum score of 5 pts. The highest score a whisky can get is 20 pts. 

To put the overall score in perspective, I have set-up my personal rating. 

0-5 pts - Drain Pour. Needs no explaining.

6-10 pts - Bar Pour. Something you might want to try in a bar first.

11-15 pts - Buy and share. Something to buy and share with friends. You will not be disappointed and your friends will be impressed.

16-20 - Buy and keep. Something to stock-up on. When the Zombie apocalypse comes, this is a whisky you want to be drinking. 

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