The Wine Spectator and the Wine Advocate are the two most powerful point sources in the wine industry, but there are many, many reviewers who use the 100-point system.

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Was he selling the Wine Advocate?

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Kentucky-based Buffalo Trace Distillery and master distiller Harlen Wheatley have won countless accolades in the last few years, including Malt Advocate Magazine's 2005 Distillery of the Year, Wine Enthusiast Magazine's 2006 Distiller of the Year and Whisky Magazine's Distiller of the Year--twice in 2005 and 2007.

FORBES: Tastemakers: Wine, Beer and Spirits

But they also wanted to help, say, a wine merchant who wants to advocate the defeat of a politician who jacks up booze taxes.

ECONOMIST: Free speech and campaign cash

The points--100 denoting nirvana--are awarded by reviewers at Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate and other oenophilic publications.

FORBES: Magazine Article