About The Polished Palate

Since 2005, the Polished Palate has been hosting cutting edge Tasting Events, educating the consumer on all aspects of each distilled spirit category. Through seminars 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. Note: Vodka, Gin, Rum and Mexican Spirits Festivals have been designed, created & hosted by Dori Bryant, currently President of the Polished President, since 2002, under the aegis of other institutions.

“Know Thy Spirits”

It is our belief that the more we educate the consumer on all aspects of distilled spirits, the more that awareness will grow, resulting in a deeper respect for the ‘spirit’ and the generations of Master Distillers & Blenders who created—and continue to bring--each luscious drop for us to enjoy.

Polished Palate & our related events have been hosted in Manhattan’s LQ (Latin Quarter) & Valbella New York Restaurant; in San Diego at the Plaza del Pasado in Old Town, San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, NTC Promenade & Café Coyote; in Tampa Bay at Pelagia Trattoria, the Cuban Club, Lion’s Eye Institute, Gaspar’s Grotto and in several Ybor City Restaurants; in Orlando—in association with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Metro Orlando’s Festival de Sabores at the Festival Bay Mall

Polished Palate Event Format

Polished Palate events typically include a VIP hour, multiple brand Tasting Stations, Seminars, Industry Authorities and Silent Auctions. Silent Auctions benefit the Sky Ranch Foundation and end, on average, one hour prior to the end of the event.

Two of our events include world-class Tasting Competitions: the Polished Palate International Rum Festival in Tampa (formerly International Cane Spirits Festival®) and the Polished Palate Spirits of Mexico in San Diego.

Tasting Competitions

Jack Robertiello & Robert Plotkin, Co-Hosts of Polished Palate Tasting Competitions
Judges 2008 Polished Palate International Rum Festival Tasting Competition
Judges 2008 Polished Palate Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition

Some Festivals include Formal Tasting Dinners, Cocktail Contests, Trade Expos, Culinary Demonstrations, After-Parties and extended Experiences (field trips to Distilleries, cruises, tours…)

Polished Palate in the Media

About Dori Bryant, President of the Polished Palate, LLC

Background on Dori Bryant, President, Polished Palate LLC

Dori Bryant, President, Polished Palate LLC

Dori’s career has been primarily in Print Publishing—newspapers & magazines—local, regional and national. Starting at the New York Daily News in 1980, she was instrumental in the launch of several publications including the Daily News Tonight paper, USA Today & Southern Magazine. Since 1997, while employed at General Media, she began hosting spirits festivals and writing on Distilled Spirits. A confirmed Whisk(e)y enthusiast, she was invited to judge at the International Rum Festival in 2002, opening a whole new world of taste experiences.

She has added Tequila, Mezcal, Sotol, Vodka & Gin, Rhum & Cachaca to her repertoire. Through her work on behalf of Mexican Spirits, the Polished Palate was honored as the first and only event company in the US to be sanctioned by the esteemed Academia Mexicana del Tequila (Guadalajara). On September 15 2007, she was awarded the title of Tequilier Ambassadeur by the US Chapter of the Academia. Only 25 individuals will be chosen to receive this distinction in the US. Chris Sherman, Food/Wine/Spirits Critic for the St. Petersburg Times recently dubbed her ‘Rum Queen’ (Queen of Rum Connoisseurs), a title she both honors and respects.

Academia Mexicana del Tequila

Ms. Bryant is a member of WAABI (World Association of Alcoholic Beverage Industries) and is on the Board of Directors of the Sky Ranch Foundation. She assists with several charitable institutions including Share Our Strength (co-Chair of the NYC Taste of the Nation 8 years), Abilities Foundation, American Cancer Society and others. A native of New Jersey, Ms. Bryant (nee Bratyanski) now resides in Tarpon Springs Florida. She is a graduate of Douglass College for Women/Rutgers University system.

Trademarks

The Polished Palate International Rum Festival
Registration Number: 3567345

International Cane Spirits Festival
Registration Number: 3416359

The Polished Palate
Registration Number: 3567342