OUR PROVEN METHODOLOGY...
Beverage Testing Institute’s (BevTest) industry leading evaluation methodology was co-developed in 1981 with Cornell University. Decades of refinement have led to proprietary systems and custom software that produce the fairest, most consistent alcohol beverage analyses in the industry.
We use simple scales so that our panelists do not concern themselves with the difference between an 88 and an 86, or a 90 and a 91. This method allows our tasters to consider general quality, without the distraction of adding points. Products breaking the critical gold medal barrier are tasted twice without exception, virtually guaranteeing that they deserve their accolades.
After panelists have assigned a quality level, the scores are then converted to a modified consumer-friendly 100-point scale. This scale correlates to BevTest’s five quality bands of score.
To help translate the panels’ scores, we use a different statistical method, relying on the mode (the most frequent score) rather than the mean (the average score). This helps reduce the impact of maverick scores; the mode is much closer to what the panelists are really saying. Controversial permutations are always re-tasted. Those falling in the lowest band (less than 80) are simply listed as “79/NR” (Not Recommended). “Not Recommended” scores and reviews are always kept confidential.
We maintain an archive of all previously reviewed spirits— over 10,000 samples and counting. When there is a disparity between a current sample’s score and the product’s previous BevTest score we compare the two to verify any differences in taste and/or quality. We re-taste any products that seem flawed or that scored at the lowest end of the spectrum, to make sure a bad sample was not at fault.
