Vision
We believe technology should sharpen your judgment as a taster, not replace it: AI structures the data, editorial judgment provides the context.
Mission
We are building a reliable reference work for drinks, grounded in the combined judgment of many tasters. We bring together tasting notes from trusted tasting platforms and our own community, and turn them into clear profiles of drinks, brands and producers, with editorial insights that explain the methods, casks and styles behind the flavor.
From the Founder
I’m Vijay, and I want to build a bridge between technology and tasting. I have a background in tech and data and hold an MSc in Applied Physics (2007) from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). Since then I’ve gone deeper into AI, and in 2023 I earned a certificate in AI for Managers at Amsterdam Business School (University of Amsterdam). On Coursera I also completed the Deep Learning specialization by DeepLearning.AI and the Data Science specialization by Johns Hopkins University. I’m a self-taught taster: I’ve enjoyed whiskies and rums for a long time, and I’ve been writing my tastings down since 2020. What fascinates me most is the story behind a drink, and why certain factors change how it tastes.
Flavor is abstract. It is hard to detect and even harder to describe, and everyone experiences it differently. There is no wrong answer: you can only recognise a flavor if you have tasted it before. Tasting Intelligence uses analysis and AI to bring reviews and sensory data together and present them clearly, so that people who find tasting difficult can find the drink that suits them.
I believe in AI-assisted, human-verified. AI is a tool, not a replacement for tasting: without tasting for yourself it stays a paper exercise. Summaries on drink pages are generated by AI from the reviews and are labelled as such. I review every AI insight before it is published, and sometimes edit it by hand. I am currently the only admin.
"A good field guide doesn't tell you what to drink; it helps you understand what is in your glass. That is what I want Tasting Intelligence to be."
Our Journey
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2026
Now
The Editorial Field Guide
Tasting Intelligence became an editorial field guide to drinks: a reference work of drinks and a Guide, with AI Insights as the editorial layer.
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2024
The Pivot
Shifted focus toward personal tasting diaries and large-scale community contributions. Transitioned to an accessible, ad-supported free model to democratize flavor data for everyone.
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2022
Rebranding
Alcoholytics evolved into Tasting Intelligence. We moved from a static blog to a data-driven reference work, marking the launch of our comprehensive drinks database.
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2020
The Genesis
Born from a shared passion for data science and fine drinks. Initially launched as 'Alcoholytics', a research project focused on web-scale tasting analytics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you navigate Tasting Intelligence.