Editorial Policy

How I Test

I do not write about a bottle after one pour. The rule I follow is at least one full bottle, usually two separate sittings at least a week apart, before I write anything. For wine calendars and gift baskets I log impressions across multiple tastings and note what held up and what did not. One session with a retailer is not enough to say anything reliable about their shipping, their substitution habits, or how the packaging looks when it arrives at your door.

What I Am Not

I am not a sommelier. No WSET certificate, no distillery internship, no trade affiliation. I am a project manager who has kept a bourbon shelf for eight years and paid close enough attention to tell you which bottles survived a Tuesday tasting and which ones got quietly passed back to the people who brought them. That is the credential I am working from, and I try not to pretend it is more than that.

Affiliate Relationships

Some links here are affiliate links. Click one, buy the thing, I get a small cut at no extra cost to you. The commission does not determine which retailers or bottles get written about here. If something does not hold up, that is what the review says.

Alcohol and Health

Alcohol carries real health risks. Nothing on this site is medical advice or a recommendation to drink. All of it is personal impressions from a hobbyist who keeps a shelf and writes things down. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use, the SAMHSA National Helpline is available at 1-800-662-4357. Direct-to-consumer alcohol shipping laws vary significantly by state. Check your state's rules before ordering.

Errors and Updates

Retailers change their offerings. Prices move. Products get discontinued or reformulated. I update posts when I catch something that has changed materially, but I cannot promise real-time accuracy on everything. If you spot something wrong, the contact page is the fastest way to reach me.