Every expert review on Distiller is produced in-house, specifically for Distiller, by our Tasting Table of spirits industry experts. New reviews are added every week.
What we choose to review
Our goal is to spend our time (and money) on reviews that interest the majority of our readers. We focus on spirits that are:
Widely distributed or highly sought after
Interesting — spirits with compelling stories or people behind them
Notable — impressive new products or new approaches to production
Products with very limited distribution or small production runs may not be reviewed. Our editorial team decides what gets reviewed and when.
How a review comes together
We source products through brand submissions, by tracking new releases and press announcements, and by purchasing bottles ourselves. Each product is assigned to a Tasting Table expert in the relevant category, who evaluates the nose, taste, and finish before writing the review.
The three parts of every review
The description — researched details covering availability, production details, quantities, mash bill, ingredients, and other product specifics.
The tasting notes — a few sentences that help you understand what a product tastes like without buying it first: strong aromas, flavors, and lingering notes.
The flavor profile — a visual interpretation of the spirit's taste, made up of 14 flavor points. The flavor points differ by spirit category, and our experts assign a value to each one.
Our independence
Reviews can never be bought, and brands can never influence a score — full stop. While we may work with brands on samples, marketing, or tasting events, the reviews themselves are always objective and uninfluenced. Read more in Our Values.