International Rum Festival March 26-29 in Ybor City

[cASe SenSiTive]

http://www.polishedpalate.com/events/irf/2009/

Is anyone else going to this?

[Rum Runner]

First, welcome to the forums here!

Thanks for that link to Dori's event. I'd love to be in attendance but due to a four letter word (work) I cannot be. Sounds like a fun time. It appears you will be in attendance and can report back to us?

I'm curious about a couple of things I noticed on the link and maybe you can help. Correct me if I am misinformed...Didn't Ed Hamilton conduct The International Sugar Cane Spirits Competition in Ybor City in 2006? Maybe Dori hosted another event in 2006 under the "Polished Palate" logo? I'm a bit confused about that. Secondly, you seem to up on events in Florida...So I'm wondering if you have a feel for whether the Rum Renaissance (http://www.rumrenaissance.com/) event to be held in Miami in May of this year is as large or larger than The Polished Palate event?

Thanks for taking the time to come out of the "woodwork" and join the group.

[Edward Hamilton]

Yes, I conducted the 2006 International Sugar Cane Spirits Competition in Ybor City. After that competition Dori Bryant trademarked the name and used it again in 2007, which prompted me to use the name Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition after she sued me for continuing the competition I had conducted in 2006.

Despite the fact that Dori Bryant abandoned her trademark and admitted that she had in fact falsely claimed, under penalty of fine and/or imprisonment, that she had conducted the 2006 International Sugar Cane Spirits Tasting Competition on a Federal Trademark Application, she continues to claim ownership of my work.

At this point I only want to wish her and her attorney the best in the coming months while their actions are reviewed by the courts.

It is yet to be seen whether Rum Renaissance in Miami will be larger than the Polished Palate event in Ybor City, but it will certainly be a more credible event.

[cASe SenSiTive]

Yikes! I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers. I was completely unfamiliar with the history of this event. It just happened to be going on when my wife and I were planning a trip to warmer climes, and was convenient to taking in some spring training baseball.

[curoswiss]

Personally I think the names Ministry of Rum and Rum Renaissance are much better names anyways.

Cheers, Edward and sorry to hear about your trouble...

[TheRumelier]

Ed, if I need to send a VooDoo doll with some pins just let me know.
PS please send a photo of the offending person!!!!!!!g()fy

[Edward Hamilton]

I once built a dock in the Bahamas with the head of the local Haitian community and learned enough about voodooo that I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I can accomplish a lot more by doing positive things.

[jctrigg]

you built the dock using his head? Or he helped you build it? That's some crazy voodoo...