How Bourbinsane Ratings Work
At Bourbinsane, every whiskey I review is held to a high standard of honesty, transparency, and consistency. To make my reviews both insightful and easy to understand, I use a dual-rating system: a 5-star rating and a Should You Buy This? scale. Each whiskey is also evaluated based on its overall drinking experience.
⭐ Star Rating (Out of 5)
This classic rating system reflects the overall quality of the whiskey based on aroma, flavor, finish, and balance. Here’s how it breaks down:
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptional – Among the best, must-have bottle
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great – A standout, well worth adding to your collection
- ⭐⭐⭐ Good – Solid whiskey, enjoyable but not extraordinary
- ⭐⭐ Decent – Drinkable but has notable flaws
- ⭐ Not Recommended – Poor quality, unbalanced, or overpriced
🥃 Should You Buy This? Scale
Not every bottle is a must-buy for everyone, so this scale helps guide purchasing decisions:
- 🏆 Must Buy – Get this immediately, it’s worth every penny
- 🏃♂️ Worth Chasing – Great bottle that’s worth seeking out
- 👀 Try Before You Buy – Solid whiskey, but might not be for everyone
- 🤷♂️ Not Necessary – Skippable, doesn’t stand out in its price range
- 🚫 Avoid – Not worth the money or shelf space
🥃 Experience Scale
Beyond just rating a whiskey, I also consider the drinking experience. This scale helps categorize how enjoyable or unique the pour is:
- 😍 Must Experience – A whiskey that delivers something truly special
- 😃 Enjoyable & Worth Trying – A solid pour that brings a good experience
- 🙂 Decent but Unremarkable – Drinkable, but not particularly memorable
- 😕 Disappointing – Lacking in key areas, expected more
- 🤢 Hard Pass – Flawed, unpleasant, or simply not enjoyable
Why This Matters
Whiskey is subjective, and every drinker has different preferences. This system ensures my reviews are structured, informative, and useful whether you’re a casual drinker or a seasoned collector. The combination of a star rating, buying recommendation, and experience scale provides a well-rounded, transparent assessment of every bottle I review.
Got a whiskey you’d like me to review? Let me know!