Tasting Rating Scales Explained

Note: I use "whiskey" here as a generic term for "whisk(e)y" without the parentheses, and I am likely to also apply this rating scale to other spirits.

100-point enjoyment scale:

How much did I enjoy this whiskey? This mostly focuses on what's in the glass, ignoring price, though memories around sharing the drink with friends may have an impact, and presentation (e.g. the bottle) may have a small impact.

96+: Nectar of the Gods (1 in 50) | 90+: All Time Favorite (1 in 20) | 85+: Excellent, tremendously enjoyable | 80+: A cut above | 75+: A solid, well constructed whisky | 70+: Slightly deficient in some way | 60+: Multiple deficiencies | 50+: Poor | 30: Unenjoyable straight | 10: Shots only | 9-: Undrinkable

96-100: Nectar of the gods, extremely special. No more than 1 of every 40-50 reviews should be here
90-95: An All Time Favorite, in the top 5% of things I've ever tried
85-89: Excellent, tremendously enjoyable
80-84: Good, a cut above
75-79: A solid, well constructed whisky
70-74: Slightly Subpar, has a flaw or slightly deficient in some way
60-69: Subpar, multiple deficiencies
50-59: Poor
30-49: Very Poor: unenjoyable to drink straight
10-29: Only suitable if you are a binge drinking college student taking shots
00-09: Undrinkable

5-point value scale:

Value out of 5 - would I buy this again at the given price? - 0 no | 1 meh | 2 maybe | 3 sure | 4 yes | 5 absolutely

⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪ 0/5 - no - poured it out; worse than nothing; would not buy even if best option; would rather be empty handed
⚫⚪⚪⚪⚪ 1/5 - meh - might get if it's the best option given the circumstances, unless I already have better
⚫⚫⚪⚪⚪ 2/5 - maybe - worth getting if best option or for variety, but maybe skip if I already have plenty of better options
⚫⚫⚫⚪⚪ 3/5 - sure - solid value; would consider buying again at this price, even if well-stocked because it's nice to have a bottle; enjoyable and worth the price; if expensive, fine as a one-time purchase; might be a good gift (given or received)
⚫⚫⚫⚫⚪ 4/5 - yes - would buy again at this price when I run out
⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫ 5/5 - absolutely - all-time favorite or value-leader; would buy again at this price before I run out

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