Nose Palate Finish is written and edited by Branden Rigney with the help of his wife Mikayla and their dog Vixie out of Washougal, Washington — A security engineer by day, a stubbornly curious drinker and eater by night. The site exists because I couldn't find the review publication I wanted to read: one that treated spirits, beer and food with the same seriousness as travel writing, that scored honestly without being pompous about it, and that didn't disappear behind a paywall every third article. I have a true passion for hospitatlity, libations and good eats and wanted to participate in the zeitgeist.
Everything here is written to one standard — the one I'd want applied to recommendations I'm taking seriously. That means I taste everything with care and write my honest opinions on those things.
What's here
Three sections, each with its own register. Proof covers spirits & beer — scored out of 100 on a rubric that rewards flavor, balance, execution and honest character over novelty. Taste covers restaurants, meals, bites, and things my wife or I cook at home — same 100-point scale, adapted for food. Escapades is the long-form section: day trips, travel, the occasional essay about a place. No scores there. Just my stream of consciousness.
How to read the scores
I use a 100-point scale because the 5-star scale flattens everything interesting into the 3-to-4 range. The rubric's below. It's not perfect. It's consistent.
How to know if you're in the right place
If you enjoy detailed reviews on consumables, hot-takes and unfiltered opinions on places — or you're part of the crowd who believes Portland has the best food scene in the West (it's not up for discussion) — you're in the right place.