Why do some members review the same rum two or three times under different images?

I have also noticed and I just wonder too ! Maybe friends drink and rate together....???

I think because they want that their rating is included in the average ratings for the same rum. The better question is why there are two or three ratings for the same rum? These rums should be merged.

I even noticed on more than one occasion whereby a "new" rum was added to the data base with slightly different spelling. This was clearly done to boost up the number of reviews for that member. If I remember correctly, Bacardi Anejo Cuatro and it's various other spellings should all be checked out for their reviews.

Yeah, I’m with you. I have gone through some brands to help Andy to delete the images that are doubled or trippeld under different names, but the question doesn’t disappear. Why does members do this? I have my clear ideas, but what do you think?

Stefan: There is only one reason for members to do this, which is to increase their number of reviews. I am now at 336 reviews and have a very difficult time finding rums that I have not already reviewed. I also avoid most of the bottom shelf crap just for the sake of adding to my number of reviews and I live in a place where distilled spirits cannot be shipped to. I am also now reluctant to make those long drives for rum running, to get a hold of rums not available where I live. Politics controls what each area has available for distilled spirits, which is quite disgusting.

Stefan: While searching for duplicate names on Bacardi Anejo Quatro, I noticed that this problem has been fixed, so thanks for assisting Andy on this one. However, I found another rum under two different names again: Bacardi Major Lazer and Bacardi Major Lazer Limited Edition. I assure you that both are the same and I have one review on that one posted. However, no member has a review for each on these two. So what happened here? This brings me back to my days of being a data base manager. How many ways can one spell Lake Pontchartrain or Tchefuncte River? It was then my job to provide a drop down menu so that different spellings could not be allowed. This was simple geographic places that could never be changed, but in the ever evolving rum world, it is very hard for anyone to keep up with all of the new additions. All we can do is report such instances to Andy, who is already doing a great job!. And by all means, if anyone is increasing their number of reviews from multiple misspellings, report that too!!!!!

You’re of course right Paul about why it’s done, but fortunately, there are very few members who engage in this frivolous way of expanding their review statistics. I’m pretty sure that the vast majority is done intentionally and those who haven’t are very sloppy. I mean there’s one thing that two or three images exists, but completely dishonest or sloppy to review it under more than one image. We who are serious and honest must of course help Andy in his difficult job and report these members and their double or in some cases triple reviews.

By the way, do you think diplomatico and botucal reviews should be merged? This is the same spirit, just the name diplomatico was occupied in some countries.

kudzey: Yes I agree that Diplomatico Botucal and DRE should be merged. Another one that I know of is the same rum under two different names is Foursquare Probitas White and Velier White. Marketing tactics.

Kudzey & Paul, I think that one can discuss that, cause there are actually bottles named like that and people maybe like to have the same bottle they’ve tested in their cabinet. I don’t think it’s a big problem as long as dishonest people not rate both of them, but I would welcome if they were one called Diplomatico or why not call it Diplomatico/Botucal. Another example is Sunset’s Captain Bligh which is called Mutineers in the U.S. There, there are two images called Captain Bligh and one called Mutineers, but no one has yet taken the opportunity to get three reviews on just one rum. So here is an opportunity for the dishonest.

I’ll give you two examples just to show what it’s all about. Both are from one of my favorite brands, ReimonenQ, and both are reported to Andy. 1) Of the Cuvée Prestige 9-year there’s also a second image created called Vielli 9-year. One person has rated both of them and funny enough with two different grades. 2) Of the 1998 Hors d’Age 11-year there are two more images created called 1998 Hors d’Age and Carafe 11-year. One person has rated all three and funny enough with three different grades. What shall we call this?

Stefan: Great detective work and the culprit is busted!!! Since I cannot get any of those rums anywhere near where I live, I would have never found these episodes out on my own.