Gemini Brings Home Gold at the Spirits of Mexico Third Annual Tasting Competition
Chicago, IL– For its third year, the Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition was hosted by the Polished Palate in San Diego on September 10th and 11th. Entries included 100% de agave tequilas, sotols and mezcals. The competition was co-hosted by Robert Plotkin of Bar Media and Jack Robertiello of 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.
Entries were blind tasted and judged on five key elements including appearance, aromatics, flavor, mouthfeel and finish, with a rating system totaling a maximum possible score of 100 points. The tasting consisted of 111 entries from 48 brands. Gemini Spirits & Wine participated with Tequila Corazón, Tequila Siete Leguas, the Casa San Matías brands, and Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol.
Nine ‘Best of Category’ Awards were given as follows:
- Tequila Blanco: -TIE Corazón 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 medal winners are listed in alphabetical order below:
- Tequila Blanco: Chinaco, Corazón, 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, Corazón, 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 Añejo entries including tequilas Pueblo Viejo, newcomers Nocaut and El Grado, the newly re-launched Suavemente and Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol.
The 2009 Polished Palate Spirits of Mexico full tasting competition results can be viewed at www.polishedpalate.com/events/som/2009/.
About Gemini Spirits & Wine
Gemini Spirits & Wine Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sazerac family of businesses, specializing in the building of premium spirit & wine brands. The Gemini portfolio extends across many categories with brands such as Tequila Corazón, Fu-Ki Sake, Forty Creek Whisky, P51 Cachaça, the Cooley Irish whiskeys, Tequila Siete Leguas, Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol, the tequilas of Casa San Matías, Weber Wines, Praline Pecan Liqueur, Tortuga Rum, Feeney’s Irish Cream, Pau Maui Vodka, Penderyn Welsh Whiskey, and the STOCK family of brands including Gran Gala Triple Orange Liqueur, Limonce, Stock ’84 VSOP Brandy, and Stock Vermouth. Sazerac Company, Inc. is based in New Orleans. Gemini Spirits & Wine is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
9/15/2009
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