In The News

San Diego, CA (September 17, 2009) – For the third consecutive year, the Best Western Hacienda Hotel in Old Town San Diego was the venue of choice for the Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition hosted by the Polished Palate. The Competition was held on September 10 and 11 and is a strategic element of the Spirits of Mexico Festival which was held that same weekend.

Entries included 100% Agave Tequilas, Sotols and Mezcals. The competition was co-hosted by Robert Plotkin/Bar Media and Jack Robertiello/Drinks Ink. Judges included Charlotte Voisey/William Grant & Sons, Junior Merino/The Liquid Chef, Mario Marquez/Café Coyote, Patrick McCarthy, Bayway Liquors, Larry Auman/Cantina Mayahuel, Diana Barrera/AgaveGal, Carlos Ruiz/Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Zack Romaya/Old Town Liquors, David Grapshi/Gemini Spirits and Wine and Michael Morales/Intimate Tequila Tastings. The blind tastings took place in the Hacienda’s El Pueblo room. Entries were judged on five key elements including appearance, aromatics, flavor, mouthfeel and finish, with a rating system totaling a maximum possible score of 100 points. Riedel Tequila Crystal was the stemware of choice. The intensive schedule included judging of 111 entries from 48 brands. Nine ‘Best of Category’ Awards were given as follows: Tequila Blanco: -TIE Corazon and Nocaut Tequila Reposado: Pueblo Viejo Tequila Anejo: -TIE Milagro Anejo and Oro Azul Tequila Extra Anejo: Clase Azul Ultra Sotol: Hacienda de Chihuahua Silver Mezcal: Forever Oax Reposado Flavors/Creams: Casa 1921 Cream The Competition produced 44 Gold medal winners, 40 Silver medal winners, and 25 Bronze medalists. Gold Award Winners are listed in alphabetical order below: Tequila Blanco: Chinaco, Corazon, Corzo, Don Eduardo, El Grado, La Certeza, La Pinata, Nocaut, Pueblo Viejo, Riazul, Siete Leguas, Tierras, Suavemente Tequila Reposado: 3 Amigos, Chinaco, Clase Azul, El Grado, Muchote, Nocaut, Penacho Azteca, Pueblo Viejo, Suavemente, t1-Tequila Uno Tequila Anejo: Tequila 55, Capaz, Corazon, El Grado, Milagro, Nocaut, Orgullo Pueblo Viejo, Oro Azul, Pueblo Viejo, Suavemente Tequila Extra Anejo: Campo Azul, Clase Azul Ultra, Corrido, t-1 Tequila Uno 11 Anos Tequila Flavors & Creams: Casa 1921 Cream, Gran Centenario Rosangel Mezcal: Forever Oax Reposado, Forever Oax Silver Sotol: Hacienda de Chihuahua Silver, Reposado & Anejo Of particular note, five brands received Gold medals across the board for their Blanco, Reposado and Anejo entries including tequilas Pueblo Viejo, newcomers Nocaut and El Grado, the newly re-launched Suavemente and Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol.

According to Jack Robertiello, “San Diego is perfectly poised, historically and culturally, to be the proving grounds for agave spirits in the US. We are honored that the world’s best tequilas, sotols and mezcals were presented this year. It gave us the opportunity to showcase their history andfuture.” Judges were treated to a private dinner at Café Coyote, long-time Festival sponsor. Judges were also the special guests at the Spirits of Mexico Tasting Reception and Dinner at Old Town Mexican Café on Friday evening and on Saturday night at the NTC Promenade’s McMillin Event Center located in Liberty Station. The 2009 Polished Palate Spirits of Mexico full tasting competition results can be viewed at www.polishedpalate.com/events/som/2009/

More About the Polished Palate The Polished Palate is designed with consumers in mind, coordinating tasting events and creating awareness of world class brands. Events feature dozens of spirits, seminars hosted by experts in each field, master distillers, aficionados and authors. The Polished Palate hosts events in New York, Florida and California and is renowned in the spirits industry as a leading provider of beverage promotions.

Spirits of Mexico Third Annual Tasting Competition Results