By now the beverage world is very familiar with the 100 point system, though every reviewing publication has their own variations of it. Imbiber's Journal is no exception. Here's what you need to know:
Samples are evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Quality
- Typicity of category
- Typicity of place
- Excitement factor
- Availability
- Price
Quality
The question of quality examined whether a product is well-made. Precision and flaws are primary factors here, but quality is a complex, fantastic thing to examine.
This factor is a function of whether the product tastes like what it is labeled as? A merlot that tastes like a merlot will earn a higher score on this element than an Irish whiskey that tastes like a Scotch.
Typicity of Place
Does it taste like where it grown? Italian wines should taste like they are Italian as much as Japanese whiskeys should have the unique thumbprint only Japan's master blenders have.
Excitement
Is there something beyond the accuracy of its assembly that would make a consumer want to return to this product more than once?
Availability
Some of the most sought-after products in the beverage space are also the most scarce. If the average consumer cannot procure a product through normal retail means, then it is more of a museum piece than adult beverage. Conversely, if it can be picked up at the grocery store, all the better.
Price
Is the pricing of the product a value based on the the product category and alternatives in the market? For example, $50 for a bourbon might seem like a lot, but if it's a quality 15 year old barrel-aged bourbon, then it's a bargain.