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transcript
Table of Contents
2 The Spirits of Mexico Event3 Schedule of Events & Seminars4 Exhibitor Listing6 Tequila & Mezcal8 Tequila Shots
12 The Tasting Competition & Judges
September 13, 2008
Y Welcome Z
It has long been our desire to create the Spirits of Mexico as a platform to cele-brate and pay homage to the real stars of this event, and to the Distiller’s art—hon-oring those individuals who create World Class 100% de Agaves.
The Spirits of Mexico celebration began as a one-evening event 6 years ago with14 brands participating. Last year we added the 1st ‘Agave Spirits only’Competition in the US, adding integrity to our efforts. Our annual Tequila TastingDinner at Café Coyote offers guests another opportunity to learn from industry iconsin a more intimate environment. In 2008, guests may sample an unprecedented 78styles of Tequila & Mezcal. Seminars hosted by Industry Celebrities and $MillionGutierrez Andalusian horses dancing to ‘Chunky’ y Los Alacranes add to this years’festive atmosphere. With the annual Lobster Bus Excursion hosted by PocoTequila,the Spirits of Mexico is now a multi-day celebration.
Y The Future Z
The Festival will continue to add more elements each year. It will always be heldduring the days just prior-to, or on, Mexican Independence Day – September 16.Mark your calendars! The 2009 Festival takes place from Thursday, September 10to Sunday, September 13.
Y Background on the Polished Palate Z
Since 2005, the Polished Palate has been hosting cutting edge Tasting Events, edu-
cating the consumer on all aspects of each distilled spirit category. Through semi-
nars hosted by recognized industry professionals, guests learn about the history &
culture of each spirit, their impact on society, current trends & appropriate tasting
techniques, while promoting responsible consumption—all in a festive format.
Thanks for being here this year. Salud!
Dori Bryant,Founder, The Polished Palate LLC
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SEPTEMBER 11, THURSDAY
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tasting CompetitionHacienda Hotel, Old Town, San Diego
SEPTEMBER 12, FRIDAY
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Tasting Competition
6:15 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Judge’s Dinner & VIP Tequila Tasting DinnerCocktail Reception & 3 Course Dinner Sponsored by Scorpion Anejo Mezcal,Milagro Silver, Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Reposado, El Perdido Extra Anejo & Senor Frog’sTequilas
SEPTEMBER 13, SATURDAY
4:15 p.m. – until Guttierez Andalusian Horse ShowNTC Promenade, Luce CourtyardFeatured Performers: Chunky y Los Alacranes Sponsored by El Perdido Tequila
Pre-Registration Opens
4:30p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Trade Only ShowNTC Promenade, McMillin Event Center
6:00 p.m. Main Event VIP Admission
Silent Auction Silent Auction items are generously donated by ourparticipating spirits companies. 100% of the proceeds benefit
the Sky Ranch Foundation.
7:00 p.m. General Admission
8:00 p.m. Silent Auction Ends
9:00 p.m. Event Ends
THE SPIRITS OF MEXICO SEMINARS Free to 1st 200 VIP’s and Press. Schedule times subject to change.
6:20 p.m. Academia Mexicana del TequilaPhillip Soto Mares, President of El Duende Tequila Inc.
7:00 p.m. Art & Craft of Tequila BottlesGonzalo Spindola Garcia Sr.CEO Innovación en Tequila, S.A. de C.V.
7:40 p.m. Cocktails on the EdgeCharlotte Voisey, Brand Ambassador,William Grant & SonsSponsored by Milagro Tequila
8:20 p.m. Academia Mexicana del Tequila & DIAGEOAlfredo Soltero, Tequila Expert
SEPTEMBER 14, SUNDAY
Day After Lobster Bus Excursion to Puerto NuevoHosted by Poco Tequila
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & SEMINARS
Photos by David Gillespie/Village Studio and Jesse Odaffer; Spirits ofMexico Logo designed by Mark Cannon/PocoTequila
ARETTE UNIQUE TEQUILA Tequila Rack • ITG • tequilarack.comReposado
BENEVA MEZCAL* mezcalbeneva.comReposado | Gran Reserva | Extra Anejo
CASA 1921 TEQUILA Casa 1921 • tequila1921.comBlanco | Reposado | Anejo | Cream
CASTA PASION TEQUILA Zuma Importing • zumaimporting.comReposado | Anejo Red Worm | Anejo Blue Worm
CAZADORES TEQUILA Bacardi USA • cazadores.comSilver | Reposado | Anejo
CHAMUCOS TEQUILA * Vital Beverages • tequilachamucos.comReposado
CHINACO TEQUILA Preiss Imports • chinacotequila.comBlanco | Reposado | Anejo | Extra Anejo Chinaco Negro
CLASE AZUL TEQUILA * Tequilas Premium • tequilaspremium.comPlata
CORRIDO TEQUILA True Blue Imports • trueblueimports.comExtra Anejo
CORZO TEQUILA Bacardi USA • corzo.comSilver | Reposado | Anejo
CRISTEROS TEQUILA LV Int'l Brands LLC • tequilacristeros.com.mxReposado
DON CELSO TEQUILA Tequila Rack • ITG • tequilarack.com Reposado
DON EDUARDO TEQUILA Brown-Forman • doneduardo.comSilver | Reposado | Anejo
DON JULIO TEQUILA DIAGEO • diageo.comBlanco | Reposado | Anejo | 1942
DON RAMON TEQUILA LV Int'l Brands LLC • tequiladonramon.com.mxSilver | Reposado | Anejo | Platinum
DON TEPO TEQUILA Zerges WWD • dontepotequila.comBlanco | Reposado | Anejo
DOS LUNAS TEQUILA * Dos Lunas • doslunas.comSilver | Reposado | Anejo
EL DESTILADOR TEQUILA Tequila Rack • ITG • tequilarack.comReposado
EL JIMADOR TEQUILA Brown-Forman • eljimador.comBlanco | Reposado | Anejo
EL LLANO TEQUILA Tequila Rack • ITG • tequilarack.comReposado
EL MANDATARIO TEQUILA El Mandatario •
EL PERDIDO TEQUILA El Perdido • elduendetequila.comBlanco | Reposado | Anejo | Extra Anejo
GRAN CENTENARIO TEQUILA * Proximo • grancentenario.comPlata | Reposado | Anejo
GRILLOS TEQUILA * Tequila Grillos • tequilagrillos.comReposado
HERRADURA TEQUILA Brown-Forman • herradura.comSilver | Reposado | Anejo | Extra Anejo
JOSE CUERVO TEQUILA DIAGEO • cuervo.com • cuervoplatino.comPlatino | Tradicional
LA CERTEZA TEQUILA Heaven-Hill • lacerteza.comBlanco | Reposado | Anejo
LUNAZUL TEQUILA Heaven-Hill • lunazultequila.comBlanco | Reposado
MILAGRO TEQUILA William Grant • milagrotequila.comSilver | Select Barrel Silver | Select Barrel Reposado | Select Barrel Anejo
ORO AZUL TEQUILA Barrel Select • oroazultequila.comBlanco | Reposado | Anejo
PARA MI TEQUILA Alex & Steve with Ed • paramitequilal.comBlanco
PENACHO AZTECA TEQUILA Tequila Rack • ITG • tequilarack.comReposado
QUERIDO VIEJO TEQUILA QV Distribution • tequilaqv.comBlanco | Reposado | Anejo
RESERVA DE LA FAMILIA DIAGEO • cuervo.com
SCORPION MEZCAL Caballeros, Inc • scorpionmezcal.comBlanco | Reposado | Anejo 1 YR | Anejo 3 YR, 5YO | 7YO Extra Anejos
SEMENTAL TEQUILA * Vital Beverages • tequilasemental.com
SENOR FROGS TEQUILA Batrachian • senorfrogstequila.comPlata | Reposado
SOLO TEQUILA * Vital Beverages • Reposado | Anejo
SUAVEMENTE TEQUILA Ole Sol • suavementetequila.com
TANTEO TEQUILA * Tanteo Spirits Company • tanteotequila.comJalapeno | Chocolate | Tropical Fruit
374 TEQUILA 374 Tequila • tequila374.comSilver | Reposado | Anejo
* Competition Only
PREMIUM SPIRITS OF MEXICO PARTICIPATING BRANDS
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TYPES OF AGAVE SPIRITSAh the Agave. The oldest consumed distilled spirits in NorthAmerica are made from the pina, or heart, of this noble succulent.The agave, from Greek meaning noble, is also known as maguey.It has been cultivated in Mexico for more than 9,000 years and wasused primarily as a source for food and fibre. Only for the past 500years has the plant been used to make Mezcal, Tequila, Sotol,Bacanora, Pulque and other spirits.
Folkloric legends shroud these potables. Mezcal is primarilythought to harbor worms in the bottling. The ‘worm’ is not aworm at all, but a weevil (most common) or a future butterfly.Some live in the pina; others, on the leaves. In ancient times it wasbelieved that ‘in the worm lies the key to life eternal’ which is howthe worm came to be housed within the bottles and subsequent-ly within the bodies of its libators. When a worm is added, it isreferred to as 'con gusano'. Tequilas have no worm; most Mezcalsdon’t carry one either.
The maguey worm is considered a delicacy in Mexico and canbe found on restaurant menus throughout the nation.Grasshoppers are popular accompaniments as well.
All Tequila is Mezcal. Not all Mezcal is Tequila. Tequila must bemade from one and only one type of agave, the Blue Weber--andit must be distilled in the state of Jalisco in Tequila County. Mezcalcan be made in 5 different states of which Oaxaca is the tradition-al main producer. Mezcal can be made from 16 different varieties,the espadin, barril or arruqueno offer the best.
Mezcal producers still use the same traditional method ofroasting agave in underground wood-fired pits and distilling insmall-batch, copper pot stills. Tequila is steam-cooked.
Not all agave spirits are created equal. They can only be pro-duced in Mexico (Tequila only in the Tequila Region) and mustcomply with strict Mexican government regulations. During its cre-ation, it must be distilled twice and aged (from 14 days to 8 years)in oak barrels. Labels, no matter how fancy, are also required toinclude “Hecho en Mexico,” the producer’s registration and IDnumber and the tequila’s actual age. There are two basic cate-gories for Tequila, Mixto & 100% de Agave. Mezcal is only 100%de Agave.
MIXTOSMust be made with at least 51% blue agave juices. This tequilamay be exported in bulk to be bottled in other countries. It may beBlanco, Gold, Reposado, or Añejo.
100% AGAVEMust be made with 100% blue agave juices and must be bottledat the distillery in Mexico. It may be Blanco, Reposado, Añejo orExtra Anejo.
STYLES:
BLANCO (WHITE) / PLATA (SILVER)This is the traditional agave spirit that started it all. Clear andtransparent, fresh from the still it’s called Blanco(white or silver) and must be bottled immediately after thedistillation process. It has the true bouquet and flavor of theblue agave and it is usually strong.
ORO (GOLD)Un-aged "blanco", blended with rested or aged, often with caramel coloring, sugar-based syrup, glycerin, and/or oak extract added so as to resemble aged spirits. Applies mostly to Tequila
REPOSADO (RESTED)It is Blanco that has been kept (or rested) in white oak casksor vats called for more than two months and up to one year.The oak barrels give Reposado a mellowed taste, pleasingbouquet, and its pale color. Reposado keeps the blue agavetaste and is gentler to the palate. These spirits have experiencedexponential demand and high prices.
AÑEJO (AGED OR VINTAGE)It is Blanco aged in white oak casks for more than a year.Maximum capacity of the casks should not exceed 600
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liters (159 gallons). The amber color and woody flavor arepicked up from the oak, and the oxidation that takes placethrough the porous wood develops the unique bouquet andtaste.
RESERVA (EXTRA AGED)It is a special Añejo that certain distillers keep in oak casks a minimum of 3, and, up to 8 years. Reserva enters the big leagues of liquor both in taste and in price.
2007 SPIRITS OF MEXICO TASTING COMPETITION
BEST OF CATEGORYBlanco Tequila Milagro SilverReposado Tequila ChayaAnejo TIE-Tequilas Chaya & El Agave ArtesenalExtra Anejo Tequila Don Julio 1942
GOLD-BLANCOTequilas 4 Copas, 5150, El Agave Artesanal, El Duende de DonFelipe, Milagro Silver, Partida, Sol Azul; Scorpion Mezcal
GOLD-REPOSADOTequilas Chaya, Don Eduardo, Don Julio, El Caudillo, El Duende deDon Felipe, Milagro Select Barrel Reserve, Sol Azul & ScorpionMezcal
GOLD-ANEJOTequilas 5150, Chaya, Don Eduardo, El Agave Artesanal,Herradura, Partida & Scorpion Mezcal
GOLD-EXTRA ANEJODon Julio 1942, Reserva de la Familia & Scorpion 5 YO Mezcal
AGAVERO
Bottle shape pays homage to the BlueAgave plant fromwhich Agavero ismade
Cap displays thesignature from
Agavero’s creator andfounder, LazzarroGallardo
‘Product of Mexico’ isboldly displayed in redon the front label
CABO WABO
Bottles are color coordi-nated according to type:clear for blanco, blue forreposado. and brown for
anejo
Front label depicts animage of the setting sunbehind the Cabo Wabo
Cantina inCabo San Lucas
Label is surrounded by anartistic image of the blue
agave plant
CASA NOBLE
Short bottle with a flatbase ensures stabilityon a shelf
Each Casa Nobledecanter is hand-made from blackporcelain
Label is made fromreal gold inlay
CAZADORES
Vibrant yellow tamper-proof cap ensures the
quality of the tequilainside
On the label, the signa-ture deer is prominentlydisplayed and highlight-
ed in rich golden huesas a
symbol of pride, perse-verance and tradition
Tall bottle with a longerneck is easy to handle
CORAZON
Features individualhand blown Mexicanglass bottle
Stopped with premi-um natural cork,imported fromPortugal
Bottle label appliedby hand
CORZO
Bottle designed bypefume designerFabian Baron
Spout echoes thefountain designs oflate Mexican architectLuis Barragan
Made with super-flintglass, with vat-dyedpaper for label
CORRALEJO
Don Leonardo,owner of Corralejo,
makes each bottle inhis own glass factory
Packages arecolor-cordinated
according to type:clear for blanco, red
for anejo and bluefor reposado
Each bottle isembossed with an
eagle and a snake,representing
Mexican heritageand history
DON EDUARDO
The glass stopper withvisible cork is embla-
zoned with name of ori-gin
Packaging features anecktag with glass
bead
The label architecture,including font, labeling,
and color accents aredesigned with an
authentic Mexican feel
TEQUI LA SHOTS ART & CRAFT OF TEQUILA BOTTLES
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DON JULIO1942
Elongated bottle, designedafter the agave leaf
Made from hand-blownglass with a specialtywooden stopper
Don Julio 1942 commemorates thetequila’s 60th anniversary
EL CHARRO
The label is integratedthrough a clear, oval
window that features theimage of a Charro
Features a maroon cork topper
Frosted glass bottleprominently displays the
tequila inside
EL TESORO
Each bottle is inscribedwith a name and signature
‘El Tesoro’, prominentlymarked on the front, means‘The Treasure’
Featured on the label isa watermarked image of DonFelipe Camarena, founder ofEl Tesoro Tequila
FINAESTAMPA
Bottle design is similarto a hip flask
Package glass is blownin an artisan style, giv-ing it an old-world look
Bottle is topped withreal cork and a wooden
cover for its closure
FRIDA KAHLO
Frida Kahlo Tequila isa tribute to renownedMexican artist,Frida Kahlo
Label features a photoof Frida from herfamily album
Bottle is made using aprocess known as‘semi-artisanal’ whichgives the glass anuneven finish
HERRADURA
Representing goodluck, Herradura (mean-ing ‘horseshoe’ inSpanish) features ahorseshoe on the frontlabel
Classic bottle designand stopper invokes an‘old-world’ style
Clear glass lets thetequila’s true colorshine through
GRANCENTENARIO
Label’s angel is evocativeof the ‘Angel’s Share’:
legend that angelswatch over tequila
The cork, wood stopperand top speak to the
artisanal nature of GranCentenario
Bottle is designed toreflect an art deco theme
JOSECUERVO
Bottle’s neck sealfeatures the Cuervo
family crest
Each label featuresJose Cuervo’s “sig-
nature” at the bottom
Each bottle containsthe family’s crestembossed on the
bottom underside,which can be viewed
through the glass
LA CERTEZA
Elegant, with a regalshape, the clear glassaccents the hues ofeach tequila
Lines and angles ofbottle are inspired byAztec architecture
The deep black labeland top give a touch offormality topackage design
MILAGRO
Bottle made fromunique hand-blown
crystal that features anagave plant on theinside of the bottle
Features a long,elegant neck and
premium cork finish
Individually numberedbottles reflect limited
edition status
MONTEZUMA
Features prominentblack labeling againstgold lettering
Each front labelcontains a traditionalAztec calendar
Tall bottle is easy tohandle in a bar setting
PARTIDA
Bottle features a cork andwood cap with image of
the Partida spirit bird,which is also molded into
the bottom of the bottle
Inspiration behind thebottle design was to becontemporary Mexican,elegant, but approach-
able, and equally appeal-ing to women and men
Because of its uniqueshape, the bottle standsout in bars, restaurants
and on retail shelves
PATRON
Over 60 hands touch andcarefully inspect eachbottle as it moves fromperson to person, whoindividually label, number,and wrap the bottle
The signature ribbon onthe neck of each bottle ishand tied and each corkis individually placed intothe bottles
Packaged in a beautifuletched crystal bottle
SIEMBRAAZUL
The three SiembraAzul Tequila types arecolor-coded,corresponding to thetequila’s age
Logo acts as a frameon the clear bottle,emphasizing the prod-uct inside
Tall, high-shoulderedbottle stands out on abar shelf
SCORPION
The scorpion on the labeldepicts the real scorpion in
each bottle, a traditionaland common creature inthe territory in which this
Mezcal spirit is made
Each bottle is handnumbered for lot number
and bottle number
Bottles made from thefinest, heavy French glass
TEZON
Textured, silver plates onthe sides of the bottle
with symbols represent-ing the agave, the fire,
the Tahona stone and the“spirit” of tequila takes the
consumer through theproduction process
The heavy glass bottle isdesigned to look artisanal
and old-fashioned
The piece of leatheraround the neck of the
bottle contains informa-tion regarding the cre-
ation of Tezón
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TRAGOThe bottle wasdesigned to representhigh fashion with amore modern attitudeinstead of the tradition-al “old world” bottles
The basic squareshape plays with lightand reflection yetremains understatedand classic
The design of an‘over-cap’ finishes thebottle and gives thebottle distinction
TRESGENERACIONES
1873 (the year SauzaTequila was founded) isembossed on the front
of the bottle
Label features images ofthe three Sauza family
generations
Bottle symbolizes tequila’shistory through its tradition-al shape and wooden cork
TRES RIOS
Each bottle is hand-wrapped in tissuepaper and packagedin individual gift boxes
Bottle neckers oneach package tellthe story of TresRios Tequila
Package is finishedwith a satin ribbonaround the bottle neck
TWOFINGERS
Packaging featuresstylized icons of Mexico
Label highlights theNOM designation and
emphasizes the“Mexican Seal of
Quality”
Vibrant foil labelingenhances shelf appeal
VIDA
Bottle arch representstraditional, mission-styledistilleries in Mexico
Each tequila bottlefeatures a custom-made, hand-buffed necktag with silk ribbon
The embossed ‘Vida’logo gives the tequila aluxury feel
XXX
Blue label features aflaming heart design
Four-corner designbottle has labelpositioned againstone corner
Silver color accentshighlight the “silver”tequila inside
VOODOOTIKKI
Each hand-blownNuramo glass bottle
contains a glassVoodoo Tiki statuette
Every label is ‘handsigned’ by Don Juanito
and numbered forauthenticity
Colorful, eye-catchingbottle stands out on a
retail or bar shelf
1800
Distinctive bottle shape issuggestive of a pyramid
design, an importantarchitectural element in
early Mexican culture
Bottle’s hollow stoppercan also be used as a
shot glass
The flint glass used in1800 Tequila show off its
rich color
THE TASTING COMPETITION& JUDGESCompetitions exist for several reasons,among them, to offer the consumer aguideline on the profile of each spirit.All palates differ--some like it sweet,some like it mellow, some like it hot!2008 Results will be posted on thePolished Palate website a week after theCompetition with Tasting Notesreleased later.
Entries are judged on 5 key elements:Appearance, Aromatics, Flavor,Mouthfeel & Finish, with a rating sys-tem adding up to a maximum score of100 pts.
The Judging Guidelines insure thateach judge evaluates all spirits fairlyand uniformly, and maintains the integri-ty of the competition.
JACK ROBERTIELLOJudge & Co-Host
Jack Robertiello hasworked with or writ-ten about bever-ages, food andrestaurants for mostof his adult life. He
was Editor-in-Chief of Cheers magazinefor eight years. A frequent speaker atconferences and meetings and spiritsjudge, he also is the author of “Mangia:The Best Italian Food In NYC.” He’swritten for the TV Food Network,Metropolitan Home, New YorkMagazine, the New York Daily News,the Washington Post, Caribbean Traveland Life, Simply Seafood, Delicious,and Americas magazine, where he hasbeen food columnist and contributingeditor for more than 10 years.
Robertiello is a member of theMuseum of the American Cocktail, theInternational Association of CulinaryProfessionals and Slow Food.
ROBERT PLOTKINJudge & Co-Host
Robert Plotkin is anexpert in the field ofmixology and bever-age managementwith over 31 years ofhands-on industry
experience and as a consultant and writerfor the last twenty years. Since 1985,Plotkin has worked as a writer for tradepublications and web-based sourcesincluding Sante Magazine, Cheers,Beverage Dynamics, State WaysMagazine, Restaurant Hospitality, Wine &Spirits International, RestaurantOwner.com,Nation’s Restaurant News, RestaurantMarketing Magazine, El RestauranteMexicano Magazine, Bowling CenterManagement Magazine, The Publican,Service that Sells Newsletter, Nightclub &Bar Magazine, Beverage Retailer, as wellas numerous state and regional publica-tions. A prolific writer, he has sixteenbooks published.
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TIM HIROTAJudge
Tim Hirota has been in the wine andspirits business since 1983, workingretail, bar and wholesale. A CertifiedSpecialist of Wine (through the Societyof Wine Educators), he has spent mostof his career teaching sales, pairing andappreciation of all things alcoholic.Audiences have included Hotel proper-ties, restaurants, sales forces and con-sumers. Currently he is the Director ofTraining for Southern Wine & Spirits ofSouthern California.
PHIL LEMPERT Judge
Television & RadioNews Reporter/N e w s p a p e rColumnist/ Author/Consumerologist/
Food Marketing Expert. A distinguishedspeaker, exclusively represented by theWashington Speakers Bureau, he hasaddressed over 600,000 people in thepast ten years and is the expert on theretail environment and the marketingtrends/products in the food industry.Lempert is a respected analyst with anuncanny ability to identify and explaintrends to both industry and consumers in athought provoking and entertaining man-ner. Not content to rely on 'passive mer-chandising', Lempert began publishingthe bi-weekly "The Lempert Report ®" andbecame the 'spokesman' for food con-sumerism. Lempert is the food trends edi-tor and correspondent for NBC News'TODAY Show and has appeared numer-ous times on The View, Oprah, 20/20,CNN, CNBC, and MSNBC as well ason local television morning and news pro-grams throughout the country.
MARIO MARQUEZJudge
Mario Marquez’spassion for tequilabegan as a server atCafé Coyote in OldTown San Diego.He was determined
to educate himself on the list of morethan 100 tequilas on the menu. It start-ed with a hobby that grew into a pas-sion for tequila knowledge. Mr.Marquez is certified as one of the firstTequilier Ambassadeurs in the UnitedStates. The highly accredited AcademiaMexicana del Tequila U.S.A gave thisaward at the 2007 Spirits of Mexicocelebration for completing its expertseminar on tequila. You can meetMario, Tequila Amgassador for CaféCoyote (www.cafecoyoteoldtown.com)on Thursday or Friday nights.
JUNIOR MERINOJudge
Junior has been men-tioned for his creativi-ty in magazines,newspapers, radio,TV and websites
including BBC World Radio, Women’sWear Daily, The Restaurant News,Seikatzu Press, Cheers, Gourmet, TimeOut, NY Magazine, Latina, BeverageMedia, The San Francisco Chronicle,New York Times, Sabores Autenticos deMexico, cocktailtimes.com, imbiber.com,liveloveleblon.com, youtubevideo.com,NYC and Philly Metro; two popularrestaurant and hotel magazines inGermany, 2 fashion magazines inJapan, one in Peru, 2 publications inFrance, a few in Mexico and one inLondon. Televisa News filmed Junior for asegment on Mixology and Telemudo.
Junior Merino has created cocktailsfor Partida, Siembra Azul, Leblon,G’vine, Grey Goose, Christiania, Jaralde Berrio, ANA Hotel in Tokyo, MamaMexico, Walt Disney CoronadoSprings Resort, the Hilton in Los Cabos,Café Frida, Bombay Talkie, Rayuela
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and more. He also created a cocktailfor the grand re-opening of BergdorffGoodman’s Café and the PurpleComing Up Roses for Oprah Winfrey’sColor Purple Show.
LOUISE OWENSJudge
Louise has been inthe wine and foodbusiness for the past20 years. She start-ed out running asmall restaurant in
Manhattan’s East Village in the wilddays of the 1980’s followed by a stintas the Associate Editor of the Wine &Food Companion published by DavidRosengarten and Joshua Wesson. Shethen headed back to her hometown ofDallas where she spent 5 years asMarketing Manager for Martin SinkoffWines importing wines from the South ofFrance. For all of the 21st century shehas been a writer, focusing on wine, fine
spirits and food. She is a regular contrib-utor to the Dallas Morning News andhas written for many publications includ-ing Esquire and Santé and was theTexas editor for the Oxford Companionto the Wines of North America.
CHARLOTTE VOISEYJudge
Charlotte Voisey hasrun bars inBarcelona, BuenosAires and London.Charlotte took aninterest in mixology
under the guidance of the GorgeousGroup in London in 2002 when theyopened Apartment 195 together, whichwas soon to be awarded Bar of theYear. Charlotte went on to win the titleof Best Bartender at The UK Bar Awardsin 2004. Ms. Voisey traveled the worldshowcasing top brands through mixolo-gy in Aspen. Las Vegas, Kuala Lumpur,Mexico, New Zealand and New York.
Consulting projects include TheDorchester Hotel, London and IanSchrager™s Gramercy Park Hotel,New York. Still competing international-ly, Charlotte took the silver medal at theWorld Female Bartender champi-onships and currently holds the role ofBrand Ambassador with William Grant& Sons.
Wilfred WongJudge
Cellarmaster WilfredWong is perhaps themost prolific winejudge in America.Judging for 22 yearsin dozens of wine
competitions annually, he has honed hisability to pick a winner! Wilfred tastes8,000+ wines annually, travels interna-tionally, and writes for several wine pub-lications – all in pursuit of vino perfec-tion! Aside from wine, Wilfred’s pas-sion is Agave Spirits.
www.acamextequila.com.mx www.haciendahotel-oldtown.com
wwwelduendetequila.com www.thefrenchgourmet.com
www.tequilarack.com www.letsplaydowntown.com
www.tequilarack.com www.ntcpromenade.org www.pocotequila.com
www.riedel.com www.scorpionmezcal.com senorfrogstequila.com
www.szpr.com www.tzelltravel.com
EVENT SPONSORS
www.polishedpalate.com
The Polished Palate, LLC624 Haven Place
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
SPIRITS OF MEXICO COMPETITION JUDGES
Robert PlotkinCo-Host, Bar Media
Jack RobertielloCo-Host & Spirits Writer
Louise OwensDallas Morning News
Charlotte VoiseyWilliam Grant
Wilfred WongBeverages & More
Tim HirotaSo. Wine & Spirits
Phil LempertSupermarket Guru
Mario MarquezCafé Coyote
Junior MerinoLiquid Chef
Y SPECIAL GUESTS Z
Bertha Genevevo de los TorreDirector of Tourism & EconomicDevelopment, Municipality ofTepatitlan (70 famed Tequilas
are produced here)
Phillip Soto Mares President of El Duende TequilaInc. and former President of theAcademia Mexicana del Tequila
Alfredo SolteroSeminar Presenter, DIAGEO
Gonzalo SpindolaInnovación en Tequila,
S.A. de C.V.
SaturdaySeptember 13, 2008
SPECIAL THANKS
The Polished Palate offers specialthanks to the following individu-als as the Spirits of MexicoFestival will not have been possi-ble without their support andenthusiasm.
Rena WeinertEvent Manager
Mark BelgerKim Brandi
Ron BratyanskiReydeen BrooksMark Cannon
Dee CareyNorlina Christian
Jana FerronTravis HudsonRalph Kemp
Phillip Soto MaresJesse OdafferJohn Sielaff
Jackie SkinnerBryan StevensLindsay SudelSarah Znerold
The Polished Palate would like tosincerely thank all of the tequilacompanies that have graciouslycontributed to the Silent Auction.
All proceeds from the SilentAuction benefit the Sky RanchFoundation.
Since 1960, Sky Ranch forBoys has been giving troubledkids a second chance. With thefinancial backing of the SkyRanch Foundation and its net-work of contributors, Sky Ranchtoday is a 3,000 acre workingranch, a licensed special educa-tion school and an inspiration tothose who know and understandits special work.
For more information, pleasevisit www.skyranchfoundation.org.
www.gutierrezandalusians.com www.imbibemagazine.com
www. cafecoyoteoldtown.com www.drinkdiva.blogspot.com
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