2 Days to the Tampa Bay VodkaFest-with Gin

Taste dozens of world class premium Vodkas, Gins & Liqueurs, sample culinary delights from In Bloom, hear American Idol's Ryan Baysden perform from his new Sonic Records CD "What Turns You On," sway to the beat of the Millie Puente Band, bid on spirits generously donated by our participating brands at our Silent Auction, to benefit the Sky Ranch Foundation.

(PRWEB) November 16, 2006 -- We're shakin' it up this Saturday night at the Cuban Club in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida.

Vodka or gin, what's your preference? Make mine gin! Chris Sherman states in today's St. Pete Times, "You can have your fruity vodkas, your silly-tinis. But Gin, so flavorful thanks to juniper berries, coriander and even cucumber, stands alone."

Mr. Sherman's remarks are encouraged by the upswing in the Gin category with new entries such as DK Krahn, Bulldog & No. 209 and others, all anxiously anticipated in the Florida market, the 10th -biggest market for Gin consumption in the US with Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater being Florida's biggest.

At VodkaFest-with Gin, you'll taste the world's most highly coveted brands of Gin -- Plymouth, Van Gogh & Bombay Sapphire.

Original Strength Plymouth Gin is a unique protected style of gin originating from the city of Plymouth in South West England. Since 1793, it has been distilled from a unique blend of 7 botanicals, soft Dartmoor water and pure grain alcohol at the historic Black Friars Distillery-the oldest working distillery in England.

94 proof Van Gogh Gin, the highest rated white spirits by Spirit Journal (1999), is an exceedingly smooth gin with an alluring herbal aroma and soft finish. Master distiller Tim Vos perfectly blended 10 herbs and botanicals to make this award winning Gin.

Spanish Almonds, Spanish Lemons, Indo-Chinese Cassia Bark, Cabeb Berries from Java, Orris Root from Italy, Italian Juniper Berries, Grains of Paradise from West Africa, Liquorice from China, Moroccan Coriander and Angelica are the 10 'not-so-secret' botanicals in Bombay Sapphire Gin, however, the way they are balanced remains a closely guarded secret since 1761.

If Vodka's your thing, we're stirrin' it up plenty!

Stirrings uses only the finest cane sugar, freshest juices and triple purified water in their products, believing that great food and drinks, enjoyed with friends, is an absolute. Stirrings set out to make people think the same way about their beverages as they do about food -- better ingredients lead to better taste and better times. This same philosophy is that which is espoused by the Polished Palate.

Stirring 'em up with Bong Spirit Vodka, a Vodka formula handed down through five generations of master distillers and produced through a 150 Year Old manual process, rich with traditional standards and superior craftsmanship.

Stirring 'em up with Absolut Vodka. Absolut needs no introduction, but, their newest flavor, Ruby Red Grapefruit, has that zesty and refreshing flavor that only comes from select Grapefruit (peel), offering a complex floral aroma and fruity finish. (and watch for Absolut Pears, launching in '07)

Stirring 'em up in Level Vodka -- or just sip this beauty 'neat.' 'Like velvet on the tongue' is the best descriptor for this 'embodiment of perfect balance.'

267 Vodka Infusions are the first and only line of ultra-premium spirits infused with all-natural, deliciously ripened fruit. Today, flavor doesn't always come from nature. This smooth five-time distilled American Grain Vodka is infused with bursts of sun-ripened oranges, lemons, tart cranberries or olives & pearl onions.

This Saturday, in addition to the above brands, sample the following brands too: Vodka: Boru, Effen, Empire T & W, Grey Goose, Iceberg, Imperia, Rain, Tito's Handmade, Vincent Van Gogh, Xellent Swiss, XO, X-Rated; Gin -- Iceberg; Liqueur: X-Rated Fusion

We recently hosted VodkaFest-with Gin in NYC. Lets Play Downtown was there to capture each brand ambassador on film as they moved guests with anecdotes and tastes of each ultra-premium Vodka and Gin. To view this event and get a taste of what to expect this Saturday, visit their site (link here)

VIP Tickets $50 in advance; $60 at the door, cash only

General Admission $30 in advance; $40 at the door, cash only

Purchase Admissions at www.polishedpalate.com

Must be 21 or over to participate

Photo I.D. Required

Please Polish Your Palate Responsibly

About the Polished Palate

Based in Clearwater, our first event was held in Ybor City this March, the International Cane Spirits Festival. We owe our thanks & gratitude to our supporters and take pride in knowing that, in some small way, we are helping to promote appreciation of the distiller's art form, fostering responsible consumption.

We especially wish to thank the following for their support:

Restaurants: Bernini of Ybor, Big City Tavern, Café Denali, Carmine's, Cuban Club, Gaspar's Grotto, Good Luck Café, Latam, Rock 'n Sports, Valbella NY.

Hotels: Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Don Vicente de Ybor.

Media: Alcohol Reviews, Bar Media, Beverage Industry News, Beverage Media, CBS San Diego, Cheers Magazine, Cocktail Times, Cocktails in the Country, Creative Loafing, Fox News, Global News, Imbibe Magazine, Industry Magazine, International Wine & Spirits, ISante, La Gaceta, La Setima, Malt Advocate, Market Watch (M. Shanken Publications), McCall, Miami Herald, Nations Restaurant News, New York Law Journal, New York Times, Nightclub & Bar, Osceola News Gazette, Penthouse, St. Petersburg Times, Sante Magazine, SoHoTampa, Spirits Review, Sticks of Fire, Tampa Bay Business Journal, Tampa Bay Illustrated, Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Digital, Tampa Forums, TampaGold, Tampa Racing, Tequila Aficionado, Unleashed Magazine, Wall Street Journal, Wine Enthusiast.

Retailers: South Tampa Cigars, Two Friends and a Business, USL.

Special Thanks To Paul Artrip, Ryan Baysden, Ron Bratyanski, Ian Burrell, Caballeros Inc., Norlina Christian, Off the Broiler, Leo DeGroff, Gifted Rums, Michael Gonzalez, Heritage Sign, The HLA Group, Lets Play Downtown, Chef Daisy Martinez, John Myers, Jonathan Pogash, Millie Puente Band, Museum of the American Cocktail, National Distributing Company, Phillip Soto Mares, Catador, Poco Tequila, Premier Beverage, Shere & Eric Schiller, Bill Sharpe, Chris Sherman, Sonic Records, Southern Wine & Spirits, Robert Valdez Sr., Webtelligence, David Warner, Rena Weinert, Ian Williams, Ybor City Chamber of Commerce.

Charities: Sky Ranch Foundation, WAABI.

Please visit WWW.POLISHEDPALATE.COM for more information on all of these fine companies.

Media Contact: Dori Bryant    727-812-6005

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