Introducing StaveScore
Beyond the Stars:
The Language of Whiskey
A five-star rating tells you almost nothing. StaveScore captures the complete flavor fingerprint of every whiskey, giving you the insight to find bottles you will actually love.
Example StaveScore Radar Chart
The Five Staves
Just as five wooden staves form a barrel, five flavor dimensions define every whiskey. Each stave captures a distinct aspect of the tasting experience.
Sweet
The foundation of most whiskeys. Caramel, vanilla, honey, butterscotch, brown sugar, and maple notes that define the sweet backbone.
Fruit
Bright and vibrant notes that add complexity. Apple, cherry, citrus, stone fruits, dried fruits, and tropical undertones.
Spice
The warming character that provides depth. Pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, baking spices, and rye-forward heat.
Wood
The influence of the barrel. Oak, char, smoke, leather, tobacco, and the tannic structure that comes from aging.
Earth
The grounding elements. Tobacco leaf, roasted nuts, coffee, dark chocolate, mineral notes, and earthy undertones.
Why StaveScore Works
Simple star ratings cannot capture the complexity of whiskey. A 4-star bourbon and a 4-star scotch might taste nothing alike. StaveScore changes that.
Consistent & Comparable
Every whiskey speaks the same language. Compare a wheated bourbon to a high-rye bourbon, or a Kentucky straight to a Scottish single malt, using the same five dimensions.
Personal Flavor Profile
Over time, StaveScore reveals what you actually like. Discover if you gravitate toward fruited bourbons, spice-forward ryes, or earthy single malts.
Community Insights
See how the community rates each bottle. Find hidden gems where your palate aligns with fellow collectors, or discover bottles you might have overlooked.
Two Ways to Rate
Quick Pour takes just 30 seconds for a fast impression. Full Rating lets you dive deep over 3-4 minutes when you want to capture every nuance.
Visual Fingerprint
Each bottle gets a unique radar chart that shows its character at a glance. No more reading through walls of text to understand a whiskey.
Quality Tiers
StaveScore assigns every whiskey to a quality tier based on its overall profile. These tiers help you quickly understand where a bottle stands.
The pinnacle of whiskey craftsmanship. Extraordinary in every dimension.
Remarkable bottles that stand above the crowd. Worth seeking out.
Excellent whiskeys that deliver memorable experiences.
High-quality pours that satisfy discerning palates.
Solid whiskeys that exceed expectations.
Dependable bottles for everyday enjoyment.
Standard offerings without notable distinction.
Falls short of typical quality benchmarks.
Character Types
Beyond quality, StaveScore identifies the personality of each whiskey. These character types help you find bottles that match your mood.
Traditional
Classic profiles that honor time-tested flavors. Balanced sweetness, moderate oak, familiar comfort.
Bold
High-proof powerhouses with intense flavors. Not for the faint of heart.
Fruited
Fruit-forward expressions with pronounced citrus, stone fruit, or berry notes.
Exotic
Unique finishes or unconventional cask influences. Expect the unexpected.
Elegant
Refined and sophisticated. Subtlety and balance over power.
Complex
Layer upon layer of evolving flavors. Rewards patience and attention.
Rate Any Whiskey in Seconds
Whether you have 30 seconds or 30 minutes, StaveScore adapts to your tasting experience.
Quick Pour
30 seconds
Fast impressions when you just want to log a quick tasting. Rate each stave with simple sliders and you are done.
Full Rating
3-4 minutes
Capture every nuance with detailed nose, palate, and finish notes. Perfect for special bottles or comparative tastings.
Start Rating Your Collection Today
Download BarrelChatter and discover what your palate has been trying to tell you.