Review Scale

Krin's Personal Preference Review Scale

0-101 Scale:

0: This product killed me, not figuratively  

1-9: Made me physically sick  

10-19: A defective product (severely corked etc)  

20-29: I would not drink this if offered  

30-39: A comparatively misrepresentative/disingenuous product  

40-49: I would only drink this if there is no alternative  

50-59: One or more flaws that significantly disrupt the experience  

60-69: Actual Vodka. Worst vodka to best vodka  

70-79: Flawed to competent (but not memorable)  

80-84: Interesting, but only repurchase if good value for money  

85-89: Captivating, will repeat purchase if priced well  

90-94: Alluringly special, I like this a lot and think of it frequently  

95-100: Licentious obsession, might as well be a chocolate/caramel covered fruit  

101: Wild Turkey 101

0-101 Scale Translation to 1-10 Scale, and then some:

1 = 0-29: Won't drink  

2 = 30-49: Only if no other choice  

3 = 50-59: Something ain't right

4 = 70-74: Used as an alcohol source  

5 = 75-79: Acceptable, likely won't repurchase  

6 = 80-86: Interesting and/or good value for $

7 = 87-89: Captivating, will likely repurchase  

8 = 90-94: Fond of, I think about frequently  

9 = 95-97: Licentious obsession, infatuated  

10 = 98-100: I can't afford, but it's awesome  

60-69: Actual Vodka. Worst vodka to best vodka

101: Wild Turkey 101  

10100100: ñ  

Factors that go into my ratings:

• My scale is used across all aged spirits categories. I compare value propositions against products in its own category but also in other categories (bourbon against rum). Mental weights are used to try and put things in proportion to their various categories. For example a quality bourbon that might be priced at $30 might be the same value for money as a $25 rum of similar quality because rums tend to be a little less expensive than bourbons. But there is also a limit to this type of mental weight. If you get a $50 dollar 23 year old rum against a $250 dollar 23 year old scotch, then you would think the rum is a much better value for money. However, they may end up being a similar rating because the taste experience of drinking the spirit still has a higher weight than the price.
• Price is a major component in my reviews, products that are better value for money will get higher marks than things that have terrible value for money ratios.
• I do not use a mathematical point scoring system (1 point for this, two points for that), but use mental heuristics that are mainly based around well known benchmark products. It is a very relational system. For example: "Do I like this bottle more than Wild Turkey 101? Is it a better value proposition than Wild Turkey 101?" etc. However I may indicate where 'additional points were given', but its in the context of relativity and not literal points given in some complex breakdown of point assignments.
• I intend to use my full point scale. Many reviewers using a 100 point scale don't go far into the 90s just in case they find something they like more (and have way more ambition for ordering abroad, buying at auction, and trading samples than I do). Since my ratings are relational, the relation matters more to me than the actual points themselves. If I happen to run out of points, I may do a rank squish (see last bullet point).
• I do not do many sample reviews, as of now, so the majority of my purchases are full bottles. Air time is incredibly important and can make or break a product.
• Presentation influences the score, but not as much as other elements. Presentation includes elements like non-chillfiltration, natural color, above 40% abv etc.
• I do not rate the 'mixability' of spirits with other non-alcohols. I do not typically drink mixed drinks. All my reviews are done experiencing the spirit neat and with a little bit of water. I do mix spirits across categories or within categories from time to time, but other than foot notes in my reviews - the ratings are not affected.
• My palate is below average. I find that often only extremes appeal to me and I have a very hard time picking things out of well blended products. In foods I typically look for the very sour, the very sweet or the very salty. Without a significantly amplified factor in an experience, I don't get much anything at all. I'm the guy who ruins food because they dump too much garlic on something because "they can't taste it". I'm the guy who will eat an entire can of peas with just some salt and be fine with it.
• I prefer things that do one thing and one thing thing very well. If it does one thing well and also manages to do other things that are also interesting and very noticeable, then I would start to label it as 'complex' and start bringing out the higher scores.
• Things may get higher marks just because I like them. It may not always be clear why I like them. This may add some irrationalness to my reviews. This is my personal preference review scale, meaning my preference. If you don't understand why a rating is the way it is, ask, and challenge me to clarify. I will usually respond with reasons. However, be wary that you might just get a response like "You can tell it's good just because of the way it is" if even I don't know why I like it.
• Depending on how many products I try, I may need to do a 'rank squish'. This will lower all scores but keep the relationship between products the same relative distance apart. This might be done all at once using a formula and get cascaded to all reviews and just magically happen one day. But probably not because that would require thinking and work, two things I rather not do.

Disclosures & Disclaimers:

• I am not paid by any companies for the specific products or brands I review.
• I do not perform any services for organizations related to the production, supply or marketing for the products I review or their channel partners (including retail stores).
• This statement will be 'canaried' or amended if organizations begin to send me samples for review as that could be considered a quid pro quo service arrangement.
• I have no membership or employment in, or provide services to, any spirits industry group or legislative influencing body.
• I have no immediate family members or close relatives that fall under any of the above points.
• My opinions are my own and are not influenced by third party sources, other than perhaps other independent reviewers.
• If I do not receive a bottle through my own purchasing, I will disclose how the bottle/sample was obtained.
• I do my best to only put factual information on the site. If there is an error, please contact me to get it corrected.
• I am not responsible for any injuries or damages incurred during the usage of this site including throwing your phone at random bystanders because the UI won't let you search properly.
• Also some additional legal stuff:

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