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

6 S P I R I T S O F M E X I C O 2 0 0 8

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

8 S P I R I T S O F M E X I C O 2 0 0 8

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.

12 S P I R I T S O F M E X I C O 2 0 0 8

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

14 S P I R I T S O F M E X I C O 2 0 0 8

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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