How we taste, how we judge, and where the lines are. This page is binding on every contributor.

Blind panels

Franchise judging, including the Amber List, is conducted blind by a fixed panel drawn from the masthead plus invited independent judges. No judge knows the bottle's identity while tasting. Rankings are never sold and placements are never sponsored.

Samples policy

We accept samples from distilleries and bottlers. Accepted samples are disclosed where used. A sample never determines coverage, and sending one buys no review.

No pay-for-coverage

Coverage is never for sale. Advertisers receive no editorial consideration. Sponsored content is published in a distinct template, labeled "Sponsored," and kept out of the Amber List and the Cask Index entirely.

Tasting-note provenance

No tasting note is published as first-hand experience unless the writer actually tasted the spirit. Every published note carries provenance in the ledger meta: who tasted, where, when, and from what (bottle, sample, cask). Notes supplied by distilleries or PR are labeled "Producer's notes," never presented as our own.

No 100-point scores

The publication does not score out of 100. Judgment is expressed in words and in the annual franchise, never in points.