This is the heart of what we do: honest, first-hand reviews of spirits and cigars, each tasted and scored on our 100-point scale. No fabricated notes, no press-release paraphrasing, no scores inflated to please a brand—just clear assessments of what's actually in the glass (or the humidor), so you know exactly what you're buying before you spend.
What you'll find here
Our reviews span bourbon, Scotch, tequila, rye, and cigars, from $20 everyday bottles to allocated unicorns. Each one breaks down nose, palate, and finish, gives a clear score and verdict, and tells you whether it's worth the price. Looking for the best of a category? Our buying guides distil these reviews into ranked recommendations.
How we score
Every bottle is judged the same way, every time—on nose, palate, finish, complexity, and value. We buy or sample what we review, and we'll always tell you when a famous name is coasting on marketing. Browse our latest reviews below.
Reviews Guides & Articles
9 articles
2025 Gentlemen's Holiday Gift Guide
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Springtime Gentlemens Gift Guide
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The Gentlemens Valentines Day Gift Guide
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Funniest and Most Outrageous Beer Names - A to Z List
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How Much Water to Put in Whiskey (And Why Add It at All?)
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Is Bourbon Gluten-Free?
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What Is The Best Way To Store Bourbon? Open/Unopened?
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Best Custom Shot Skis For Weddings & Parties
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Build Your Perfect Home Bar: Gift & Buyer Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you score your reviews?
We use a 100-point scale, judging every bottle on the same criteria: nose, palate, finish, complexity, and value. Scoring everything the same way, every time, lets you compare across bottles and categories directly.
Do brands pay for your reviews?
No. Our reviews are independent and editorial—brands can't pay for a review or influence a score. When we recommend a bottle and link to buy it, we may earn an affiliate commission, but that never affects our rating or verdict.
Do you buy the bottles you review?
We buy or sample the spirits and cigars we review, and we taste them the same way every time. We don't score from a spec sheet or a press release—if we haven't tasted it, we don't rate it.
What does a high score mean?
A high score reflects quality, balance, and value relative to the bottle's price and category—not just rarity or prestige. Some of our highest-scoring bottles are also among the most affordable, because we rank on what's in the glass, not the price tag.