FAQ | Whiskey Raiders
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FAQ

Q What is Whiskey Raiders?

A: Whiskey Raiders is a feature rich platform that aggregates and reports on whiskeys from around the globe. Whiskey Raiders summarizes how each whiskey performs according to various experts across the internet, including our own, by providing a single aggregated score or “Raiding.” Not unlike other aggregate review sites (think movies or video games) – Whiskey Raiders provides all of the information you need to know about a whiskey in one place, with the opportunity to dig deeper into each of the scores.

Q Why does the world of whiskey need Whiskey Raiders?

A: Compared to other spirit/drinks categories (think wine, beer) the world of whiskey online is heavily fragmented. It’s hard to quickly find a single venue with concrete, reliable information about each whiskey – especially new bottlings and exciting, fresh releases. Whiskey Raiders brings trusted reviews from across the internet, the insight of our in house whiskey critics, and more together to provide a single resource when you’re hunting for your next bottle of whiskey, or reading about new releases. Every aggregate is linked to its original sources as well, so it’s easy to start at Whiskey Raiders and then read the full thoughts of each of the trusted sources as time and interest allows.

Q What determines the Raider Score?

A: The Raided Score is Whiskey Raiders aggregate scoring, made up of the reviews of trusted and notable critics across the internet. Our in-house rating will often be one of the scores factored in equally with the others. The whiskey world is chock full of authors, personalities and publications that report on whiskey. The Raider Score embodies two main components – conversion and averaging.

Since every publication across the internet uses a different rating scale, we have first converted their rating to an in house equivalent on a 0-100 scale. It’s never going to be perfect but we feel it does offer apples to apples comparisons. Once each publication score is converted (see metrics below), the results are averaged, and an aggregated score is provided for each whiskey. This Raided Score can continue to trend up and down – especially for new releases – as each source weighs in and posts reviews. A minimum quantity of aggregate reviews is required before a score is displayed, to ensure statistical integrity.

Q What do these colors (green, yellow, red) indicate?

A: High scores are reflected with a green background. These are top notch whiskeys, agreed to be worth your time and attention.

Average scores are reflected with a yellow background. Whiskeys with these scores are generally good, or fine. Aggregate sources may disagree (combination of high and low scores) or all generally feel average about each (combination of middling scores).

Low scores are reflected with a red background. The general opinion of whiskeys bearing this color is middling to low, and our sources generally did not find them to be special or worth seeking out.

Q How are ratings converted to the Raided Score?

A: See the Whiskey Raiders rating rubrik here:

School Grade 0-5 0-10 Raided Score
A+ 5.0 10 100
A  4.5 9 96
A- 4.0 8 91
B+ 3.5 7 88
B  3.0 6 85
B- 2.5 5 82
C+ 2.0 4 77
C  1.5 3 72
C- 1.0 2 65
D  0.5 1 60
F  0 0 50

Q Jay uses a weird scale – what’s up with that?

A: Jay rates whiskey using a unique scale. Annoyed that the whiskey industry commonly doesn’t use enough of the rating scale, with scores often saturating the 86-93 range, he set out to create his own. Using 1-10 with full integer intervals, each value in the t8ke scoring scale expresses qualities abut a whiskey (good or bad) and it’s being widely adopted across the internet.

Q Aggregating all of these different scores seems pretty tough! Is this the final scoring model?

A: No. Definitely not. There are so many scales, and all of our aggregates rate very differently. Our team continues to work on our grading model and our conversions to ensure that we’re representing every spirit in the most balanced manner to our readers.

Q How are cost icons determined at Whiskey Raiders?

A: We ensure to represent the gamut of whiskey MSRPs through a common metric.

  • $ : $1-$29.99
  • $$ : $30-$59.99
  • $$$ : $60-$89.99
  • $$$$: $90-$169.99
  • $$$$$: $170+

Q Why do some reviews have no House Review?

A: Occasionally, other reviews may launch before we have an opportunity for our in house critic to review. We always want to bring you the most up to date content, so we’ll aggregate as many reviews as possible – even if our expert hasn’t tried it yet.

Q Why do some reviews only have a House Review?

A: Oftentimes, whiskey distribution and sales aren’t the same in one part of the country as another. As such, we’ve tried hundreds of single barrels that many others have not. In this case, you can read our full house review and it’s rating, although other sources may not have reviewed that bottle – which explains why, in some cases, you’ll see a House Review, but no Aggregate Review.

Q Why aren’t there more 100’s?

A: Whiskey Raiders is tough on whiskey, especially our in house critic. So when examining our ratings, keep in mind that we have a tough grading system. Mid 90’s are very rare, and any score in the 90’s is a big win for a whiskey.

Q Who do you aggregate from?

A: Whiskey Raiders has selected what we view as some of the best writers, palates and critics in the whiskey world. When you are doing a deeper dive on a whiskey, we strongly encourage readers to click onto their sites to read the full reviews. After all, a number is never nearly as valuable as reading a thorough review with tasting notes. You can regularly expect to see the reviews of these sites aggregated: