Rums of the World Unite in Tampa

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) April 5, 2008

The largest and most comprehensive Rum Festival & Rum Competition in the US celebrated its third year from March 26 to March 29, where 150 of the world's finest brands competed for recognition and honors in one of the fastest growing categories of the industry. With a 200% growth in entries over the inaugural year, the diverse competition held at the Don Vicente Inn in Ybor City, Florida, featured some of the most renowned international judges and an incredible array of styles from around the globe.

The 10 prominent judges, including rum connoisseurs and editors at top publications, were in attendance to sample rums, rhums & cachacas over a two day period before selecting Best of Category, Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards. Many of the elite spirits judged at this, the largest Rum Competition to take place in the US to-date, are sold in the US however several are currently not offered to US consumers.

This year's event featured 15 cane-spirits categories including White Rum, Dark Rum, Overproof Rum*, Spiced Rum*, Rum Aged up to 8 Years, Rum Aged 9-15 Years, Rum Aged +15 Years, Unaged Rhum (Agricole), Aged Rhum, Flavored Rhum**, Rhum Liqueur**, Unaged Cachaca, Aged Cachaca & Flavored Cachaca*. New to our Competition are Grappa* and Pisco* (grape-based spirits), which were rated separately. Those noted * were a first in this Rum Competition; those noted ** were the first to ever be judged in their own category. All spirits were tasted in Riedel Rum Stemware and judged on appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel and finish.

Judges include Robert Plotkin--Author, Trade Writer, Beverage Consultant, Barmedia, Arizona; Jack Robertiello--Wine & Spirits Writer, Journalist & Consultant, New York; Rick Crossland--Senior Vice President, Bahama Breeze Restaurants, Florida; Terry Jones--Area Manager (Venice Fla area), ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Florida; Jerri Banks--Beverage & Hospitality Industry Consultant, New York; Ian Williams--Author, Correspondent, Journalist, New York; Chris Sherman--Food-Wine-Spirit Critic, St. Petersburg Times, Florida; Eric Schiller--Co-Owner, Gaspar's Grotto, Florida; Christopher Carlsson--writer, journalist, professional spirits judge, New York; Arturo Sighinolfi--Director Mixology & Education, Southern Wine & Spirits Florida

Jack Robertiello, co-host for the Rum Competition stated, "Consumers are thirsting for more knowledge about rums and so events like the Polished Palate Rum Competition--where writers, journalists, consultants, retailers and restaurateurs experienced in sampling the world's best rums get a chance to rate them all together--is a giant step toward making the world of rum lovers better informed."

According to Robert Plotkin, co-host & founder of BarMedia, "The Polished Palate Rum Competition is the most prestigious event of its type. Dori Bryant is certainly the internationally acknowledged Ambassador of Rum."

Dori Bryant, President of the Polished Palate said, "It is obvious that Rum's star has already risen. One need only refer to the number of entries & categories this year as well as the significant number of new producers joining the competition including those from Peru, Mexico and the US (26 or 17% are from Texas, Oregon, Hawaii, Louisiana & Florida). More than 1,500 guests (a 350% increase from the inaugural event) attended Festival events chanting the new mantra, R'ummmmmm. The Rum Tasting Dinner, with infused specialties artfully crafted by Chef Tom Prichard of the Island Way Grill and Rum on the Bar B Q at Gaspar's Grotto, brought this spirit to consumer's kitchens and outdoor grills."

R'ummmmm was the media mantra too and included the St. Petersburg Times (Chris Sherman's Well Stocked Calendar of events 'not to miss' in 2008 & additional event listings), Florida Trend, The Tampa Tribune (Jeff Houck's Interview & 'The Stew' Podcast), Tampa Bay's 10 live with David Wirth and Shere Schiller, Tampa Gold's coverage of the Welcome Judges Cocktail Reception, Rum on the Bar B Q and the Main Eve nt and more.

Special thanks go to Montecristo--as more than 250 guests enjoyed a fine cigar with their sip, further enhancing the rum experience--to our participating brands, who donated product for the Abilities Foundation (+$1,550 earned) and the Sky Ranch Foundation (+$2,800 earned)--and to Southern Wine & Spirits for sponsoring portions of this years' Festival.

This years' "Best of Category" winners:

White Rum                                Mount Gay Eclipse Silver

Dark Rum                                 Temptryst Reserve

Rum Aged Up to 8 Years         Ron Barcelo Imperial

Rum Aged 9-15 Years            -TIE-Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva & Pyrat XO Reserve

Rum Aged +15 Years            -TIE-Ron Millonario Solera Reserva Especial & Ron Zacapa 23

Rum Liqueurs & Creams        -TIE-Santa Teresa Rhum Orange Liqueur & Santa Teresa Araku

Overproof Rum                        Pusser's Standard

Spiced Rum                             Montecristo Spiced

Aged Rhum                             -TIE- J.M. V.S.O.P. & Madras Deboussier Hors d'Age

Flavored Rhum                         Madras Orange Shrubb

Rhum Liqueur                         Madras Prune Liqueur

Flavored Cachaca                    Ypioca Red Fruit

For more information and a full list of results, polishedpalate.com/events/irf/2008/

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