Editorial Policy

Best Whiskey Guide — Editorial Policy

Effective date: January 6, 2026

1) Mission and audience

Best Whiskey Guide exists to help readers choose whisky confidently through independent reviews, structured tasting, and clear value guidance, with a strong focus on UK availability and pricing (for example, reviews routinely reference “UK pricing” and update timestamps). Best Whiskey Guide+1

2) Editorial independence (non-negotiable)

• Opinions are independent. Where the site earns money from purchases, we disclose it clearly (example disclosure: “I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions independent.”). Best Whiskey Guide
• No pay-for-rating. Reviews explicitly state no distillery payments/free samples in at least some reviews (e.g., “No distillery payments or free samples.”). Best Whiskey Guide
• Separation of editorial and commercial decisions: affiliate relationships, ads, or partnerships must never decide what gets a positive rating or a recommendation.

3) How bottles are sourced (and how we disclose it)

Best Whiskey Guide prioritizes retail purchase so the bottle reflects what readers can actually buy. Multiple reviews document purchase source, price, and batch codes (e.g., Amazon UK purchases; batch codes photographed; duty-free purchase details). Best Whiskey Guide+3Best Whiskey Guide+3Best Whiskey Guide+3

Policy rules

• Every review should include (where available):
  • Who paid: “Purchased by BWG / purchased by myself” (or “Sample provided by…” if applicable). Best Whiskey Guide+1
  • Where purchased + date + price paid (at minimum, a month/year). Best Whiskey Guide+1
  • Batch/lot code when available and photographed for verification. Best Whiskey Guide+1
• If a bottle is provided for free, loaned, or sponsored:
  • We disclose this near the top of the article and again near “Where to buy”.
  • We do not promise coverage, a score, or publication timing in exchange for the product.

4) Review methodology (how we taste)

Your reviews already document structured protocols (multi-session testing, Glencairn glass, neat/water/ice, side-by-side comparisons, partner/panel input). Best Whiskey Guide+3Best Whiskey Guide+3Best Whiskey Guide+3

Core BWG tasting standard (minimum)

• Glassware: Glencairn or equivalent tulip glass. Best Whiskey Guide+1
• Sessions: at least 3 sessions on different days when practical; more for high-value/controversial bottles. (Example: 18 tastings over ~14 days in one review; four sessions over 10 weeks in another.) Best Whiskey Guide+1
• Serves tested: neat first; then optional controlled dilution; ice only when relevant to real-world serving. Best Whiskey Guide
• Comparisons: at least one direct comparator where possible (side-by-side or blind when practical). Best Whiskey Guide+1
• Notes: written notes taken during each session; keep them archived.
• When we publish “data reviews”: if a review claims panel/blind testing, we document sample size and protocol (example: “Real 6-Week Testing Data From 8 Blind Tasters” and recorded score entries). Best Whiskey Guide

Optional advanced protocol (for “lab-style” reviews)
Where relevant, BWG may record and disclose environmental controls (time window, room temp) and even water/mineral content when dilution is tested (example includes TDS readings and a verification note). Best Whiskey Guide

5) Ratings, scoring, and rubrics

BWG uses scoring in published reviews (examples include 8.7/10 and 76/100). Best Whiskey Guide+1
BWG also publishes guidance on structured rubrics to support consistent evaluation. Best Whiskey Guide+1

Policy rules

• Each review must explain what the score represents (taste, balance, finish, value, etc.).
• If different scales are used (10-point vs 100-point), the article must:
  • state the scale clearly, and
  • (recommended) provide a converted equivalent once (e.g., “76/100 ≈ 7.6/10”).

6) Pricing and availability policy (UK-first, time-stamped)

BWG reviews frequently include dated price checks and commit to updates (example: “Prices verified December 16, 2025… I update monthly. Next check: January 16, 2026.”). Best Whiskey Guide

Policy rules

• Prices are informational, not guarantees.
• Every price section must include:
  • When the price was observed and market (UK).
  • A note that retailer prices change.
• If an article is “evergreen,” add a Last updated line (already present on some reviews). Best Whiskey Guide+1

7) Affiliate links, advertising, and sponsorship disclosure

BWG already uses affiliate disclosures in reviews and guides (e.g., “Some links may be affiliate links…” and “I earn from qualifying purchases…”). Best Whiskey Guide+1

Compliance standard

• In the UK, affiliate content must be obviously identifiable as marketing when it is marketing (CAP Code/ASA guidance). ASA+1
• UK government guidance also highlights transparency for ads, endorsements, affiliate links, gifted items, and other commercial relationships. GOV.UK
• For readers outside the UK (or brands operating globally), the FTC also emphasizes “clear and conspicuous” disclosure for endorsements/affiliate relationships. Federal Trade Commission+1

BWG disclosure rules

• Put a short disclosure near the first outbound buying link (or in the verdict box if it contains buying links).
• Use plain language. Example:
  • “Affiliate disclosure: If you buy through links on this page, BWG may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”
• Sponsored posts must be labeled clearly at the top as “Advertisement” or “Sponsored” (not vague wording).

Important site fix (based on what’s currently published)
One review links “affiliate disclosure policy” to an unrelated external page (a Claude chat link). That should be replaced with a real BWG policy page. Best Whiskey Guide+1
Also, the “review methodology” link currently routes back to the homepage, which makes the promise hard to verify—publish a dedicated methodology page and link to it consistently. Best Whiskey Guide+1

8) Photography, media, and copyright

BWG states photo ownership in at least some reviews (“All photos by Pasito Tola…”). Best Whiskey Guide
The site footer also asserts restrictions on unauthorized duplication and allows excerpts with clear credit. Best Whiskey Guide

Policy rules

• If a photo is BWG original: label as such (recommended standard line).
• If a photo is provided by a brand/PR: disclose and confirm usage rights.
• Do not manipulate images in ways that misrepresent colour, fill level, label text, or defects.

9) Fact-checking and sourcing

Policy rules

• Distillery facts, specs, and regulatory claims should be sourced to primary references where possible (distillery sites, official bottlings, reputable databases).
• When BWG makes a verifiable claim in a review (batch code, purchase price, testing period), BWG keeps supporting evidence (photos/receipts/notes). This approach is explicitly referenced in at least one review (“available for verification”). Best Whiskey Guide

10) Corrections, updates, and reader feedback

BWG already uses “Last Updated” and end-of-article purchase/compensation notes on some reviews. Best Whiskey Guide+1

Policy rules

• If a factual error is confirmed, we:
  1. correct the content,
  2. add a short Correction note (what changed + date), and
  3. keep the original review opinion unless the correction changes the conclusion.
• Readers can request corrections via the Contact page email. Best Whiskey Guide
  (If that email is a placeholder on your site, replace it before publishing this policy.) Best Whiskey Guide

11) Responsible drinking

BWG content is for readers of legal drinking age and promotes moderation.
BWG references (and links out to) credible public health guidance where appropriate. For UK readers, Drinkaware summarizes the UK Chief Medical Officers’ guideline of no more than 14 units per week to keep risks low. Drinkaware+1

Policy rules

• No content is intended as medical advice.
• Avoid encouraging binge drinking or unsafe consumption.
• Include a short footer line on review pages (recommended): “Please drink responsibly.”

12) Privacy policy (site completeness)

Your current Privacy Policy page contains placeholder “Lorem ipsum” text, so it is not yet a functional privacy policy. Best Whiskey Guide
Policy rule: BWG will maintain a complete, accurate privacy policy that reflects actual data collection and cookie consent behaviour.