Our process is simple: we sniff, sip, and score.

Each review starts with the whiskey in the glass. Arthur and Scott focus first on the aroma, flavor, finish, and balance before turning to the details behind the bottle.

We score whiskey on a 1–10 scale based on flavor and the overall drinking experience.

A score of 5 represents an average whiskey. Scores above 5 reflect bottles we find increasingly enjoyable, distinctive, or well-made, while scores below 5 indicate more noticeable flaws or a less satisfying experience.

The score is only one part of the review. Price, availability, proof, personal preference, and the type of whiskey all help determine whether a bottle is actually worth buying for you.

Because taste is personal.

Arthur and Scott often pick up different flavors and have different preferences when it comes to proof, sweetness, oak, spice, and finished whiskey. That means the same bottle can create two different experiences, even when both agree on its overall quality.

Those differences are part of the point. Rather than forcing a single opinion, we share both perspectives so you can better understand which palate may be closer to your own.

At the end of most reviews, Arthur and Scott give the bottle a simple buying recommendation based on the whiskey, its price, and who we think will enjoy it.

Buy means we believe the bottle is worth purchasing near its suggested retail price.

Conditional Buy means the bottle may be worth buying for a specific type of whiskey drinker, flavor preference, or situation, but it will not be the right choice for everyone.

Pass means we would not personally recommend purchasing the bottle at its current price, even though it may still appeal to some drinkers.

Yes, when the format calls for it.

Blind tastings help remove expectations created by the brand, price, packaging, or reputation of a bottle. We use them for comparisons, rankings, challenges, and series where judging the whiskey on flavor alone gives us a more honest result.

Not every review is blind. For standard bottle reviews, knowing the details and story behind the whiskey is an important part of understanding the full release.

Our rankings are built from bottles Arthur and Scott have reviewed and scored throughout the year. Each whiskey is placed based on its combined score, giving readers an ongoing look at how new releases compare with everything else we have tasted.

The rankings are updated as new reviews are published, so a bottle may move as the list grows. They are not simply a collection of our favorite bottles; they reflect the scores given during each review, including the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Our rankings are based on the combined scores Arthur and Scott give each whiskey during a review. They provide an ongoing comparison of every bottle we have reviewed and continue to change as new reviews are added.

Our Best Of guides are based on our combined personal recommendations for that year. We use our highest-rated and most-recommended whiskeys to build categories based on price, style, purpose, and the type of drinker each bottle may suit.

The guides are designed to do more than identify a single top score. They help you find the best choice for the way you actually buy and enjoy whiskey.

Each Best Of guide is built from whiskeys Arthur and Scott have reviewed, compared, and tasted over time.

We begin with the bottles that have stood out most, then organize them into useful categories based on price, style, purpose, and the type of drinker they may suit. From there, we compare our individual picks and agree on the final recommendations together.

The goal is to build a complete shelf, not simply repeat the same type of whiskey in every category.

We revisit and rebuild our Best Of guides each year.

Prices change, new bottles are released, availability shifts, and our own recommendations evolve as we continue tasting and reviewing whiskey. Updating the guides annually gives us a chance to reconsider every category and make sure each selection still deserves its place.

Sometimes, but availability matters.

We want our Best Of guides to be useful, so we focus primarily on bottles people have a realistic chance of finding near their suggested retail price. Limited or allocated releases may still be included when they are especially deserving, but we will make it clear when availability is part of the challenge.

A great whiskey can earn a recommendation without becoming a practical bottle for everyone to buy.

Yes. Distilleries, whiskey brands, public relations teams, retailers, and other industry partners occasionally send us bottles or samples to consider for review.

Receiving a sample does not influence our score or guarantee a positive recommendation. When a bottle has been provided to us, we disclose it as part of the review.

No. Receiving a bottle or sample does not guarantee that it will be featured on the channel or website.

We consider each release based on its relevance, timing, audience interest, and how it fits into our content plans. When we do choose to review a provided sample, the brand does not receive editorial approval or control over our opinions, scores, or recommendation.

No. Our opinions, scores, and recommendations are not for sale.

Sponsored content and paid partnerships may support Artfully Bourbon, but they do not guarantee a positive review or influence what we say about a whiskey. Any paid relationship will be clearly disclosed.

We work with brands and partners whose products, stories, or audiences are a good fit for Artfully Bourbon.

Sponsored content and paid partnerships are clearly disclosed, and any expectations are agreed upon before the work begins. Partners may help support the production of content, but they do not control our opinions or receive approval over our reviews, scores, or recommendations.

Yes. Some pages may include links to licensed retailers or other partners. When you make a purchase through an eligible link, Artfully Bourbon may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Affiliate relationships do not determine which bottles we feature, how we score them, or whether we recommend them.

The Artfully Bourbon Social Club is our membership community for whiskey enthusiasts who want to support what we are building and become more involved with the channel.

Members get access to exclusive benefits, added opportunities to participate in Whiskey of the Month, private community conversations, giveaways, early content, virtual hangouts, and other experiences throughout the year.

More than anything, the Social Club helps bring together people who enjoy discovering great whiskey, sharing recommendations, and being part of the continued growth of Artfully Bourbon.

Benefits vary by membership level, but may include access to our private community, additional Whiskey of the Month entries, member giveaways, early access to select content, virtual hangouts, merchandise opportunities, and other exclusive experiences throughout the year.

Each level is designed to offer a different way to support Artfully Bourbon and become more involved with the community. Current benefits and membership options are listed on the Social Club page.

Whiskey of the Month is a recurring Social Club feature that gives eligible members the chance to receive a sample pack from a bottle selected by Artfully Bourbon.

Each month, we choose a whiskey we believe is worth sharing with the community. Entry opportunities vary by membership level, and all participants must meet applicable age, eligibility, and shipping requirements.

Whiskey of the Month is one of the ways we give members a chance to explore bottles they may not otherwise get to try.

Eligible members are entered based on their Social Club membership level, with higher levels receiving additional entries.

Winners are selected at random from the eligible entries each month. We contact the winners via email and confirm that all age, eligibility, and shipping requirements are met before any sample packs are sent.

Anyone age 21 or older can join the Artfully Bourbon Social Club.

Some member benefits and opportunities may be subject to additional eligibility, availability, and location restrictions.

You can manage or cancel your Social Club membership through your Artfully Bourbon account.

To change membership levels, first cancel your current membership, then join the new tier you prefer. Your current benefits will remain active through the end of the existing billing period.

To avoid another charge, cancel before your next renewal date.

The Artfully Bourbon Mercantile is our online shop for apparel, glassware, accessories, and other goods created for people who enjoy whiskey and the culture surrounding it.

Each item is selected or designed to reflect the Artfully Bourbon point of view, with an emphasis on quality, thoughtful design, and products we would be proud to use ourselves.

No. The Artfully Bourbon Mercantile does not sell whiskey or other alcoholic beverages. It features apparel, glassware, accessories, and other goods inspired by whiskey culture.

We ship to most countries worldwide. However, some destinations may be unavailable due to legal restrictions or shipping carrier limitations.

We currently do not ship to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Belarus, Syria, Ukraine, Palestine’s Gaza Strip, or the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions.

For questions about an order, email merch@artfullybourbon.com and include your name, order number, and a brief description of the issue.

Providing those details will help us locate your order and respond more quickly.