SLTN Awards 2014 Entry Brochure by Peebles Media Group

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Welcome

TODAY marks the official launch of the 2014 SLTN Awards – and the 19th annual search for Scotland’s best venues and operators promises to be as exciting and keenly anticipated as ever. This year we welcome a host of new award categories and bring some old favourites back into the fold as Scotland’s best trade paper reflects developments in this fast-moving industry. In association with our valued commercial partners, we’re seeking entries for no fewer than 22 awards – highlighting the rich diversity and unparalleled expertise Scotland’s world famous hospitality sector is known for. In keeping with tradition, our judges will spend the summer visiting and assessing licensed businesses all over the country as we home in on the pick of the crop for 2014. But before then we need you to convince us why you, your businesses or a member of your staff should be in the running. If you’ve got what it takes to be an SLTN Award winner, you’ll find all the details you need to enter in this special brochure. Or you can register your entry by visiting www.sltn.co.uk Entries will be shortlisted and judged over the summer, with the winners announced at a gala dinner at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel on Thursday November 6. Good luck. Gillian McKenzie Editor, SLTN

Enter online www.sltn.co.uk Entries or nominations must be received by Friday May 23, 2014. 2

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Contents 4

Independent Multiple Operator of the Year

New Business of the Year

Mixologist of the Year

Family Outlet of the Year

Whisky Bar of the Year

Cocktail Bar of the Year

Late Night Bar of the Year

Restaurant of the Year

Entrepreneur of the Year

Community Pub of the Year

Wine Award

Licensee of the Year

Independent Pub/Bar of the Year

Social Responsibility Award

Unsung Hero

Beer Quality Award

Industry Achievement Award

Craft Beer Award

Barperson of the Year

Story To Tell Award

Nightclub of the Year

Rules & Regulations

Best Outdoor Area

Entry Form

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agle www.mixxit.co.uk

Please enjoy our brands responsibly

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Independent Multiple Operator of the Year The Independent Multiple Operator of the Year will be a business that consists of four or more bars, restaurants, hotels or nightclubs. Skill and ability in identifying a market opportunity, seeing it through to operational reality and handling all the complexities of multiple site management will be the key characteristics of this award winner. The Independent Multiple Operator of the Year award, presented in association with Smirnoff,® recognises and celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship that is redefining Scotland’s licensed trade.

• Vision and drive The award winner will clearly demonstrate the vision that has driven them to build a multi-site operation. Great ideas, determination, tenacity and drive are key qualities. • Business success Judges will be looking for evidence of a successful, thriving and sustainable business. • Consumer marketing activity The judges will look for evidence of marketing excellence, and a clear path from the identification of opportunities and execution of campaigns to commercial success. As well as considering the use of traditional marketing methods, the judges will be especially keen to see how candidates are harnessing social media to boost their outlets’ reputation, promote events, drive footfall and enhance the consumer experience. Evidence of good product knowledge and successfully introducing brands to new consumers will also be sought. • Business development The award winner will demonstrate a clear understanding of the changes in the marketplace, including competitor activity, and will plan for the future. • Staff Dark Background Our winner will have well-trained and highly motivated staff who understand the business and its consumers.

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SPONSORED BY Smirnoff® is the number one spirit in Scotland, accounting for a quarter of all spirit sales in the on-trade1. Smirnoff® is ten times filtered to offer extraordinary purity, and is considered to be a “truly great brand” by 80% of consumers2. As a priority market for the Smirnoff® Company, it offers an unrivalled level of on-trade support in Scotland including; POS, training on the perfect serve, and development of drinks menus, all of which help to drive footfall and ROS for outlets. Smirnoff®, as part of Diageo GB, is committed to responsible drinking and actively works with third parties both nationally, such as DrinkAware and the Portman Group, and in local initiatives to equip consumers with the information they need to make sensible choices about alcohol. The SMIRNOFF word and associated logos are trade marks. © The Smirnoff Co. 2014

27.0% MAT volume share, CGA On-trade data to Dec 2012

(Millward Brown, GB consumer tracking, January 2011)

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SPONSORED BY Pernod Ricard UK is part of the Pernod Ricard Group, co-leader of the global wines and spirits industry. The company’s popular premium spirit brands are perfect partners for SLTN’s Mixologist of the Year award. Pernod Ricard UK is a member of The Portman Group – promoting responsible drinking. Barnomadics creates beautiful drinks and bars for some of the country’s most desirable brands, bars and events in the UK. Providing stunning mobile bars for hire, modern equipment, elegant glassware, pro bartenders, mixologists, cocktail waitresses, cocktail design and training solutions.

Mixologist of the Year Sponsored by Pernod Ricard UK and Barnomadics, the SLTN Mixologist of the Year award will recognise the bartender who demonstrates the best overall knowledge of the premium spirits category and demonstrates innovation and creativity when making cocktails.

Judges will look for: • An extensive knowledge of spirits categories, the premium brands within them and drinks trends in the past year. • The correct use of glassware, premium mixers, fresh fruit, garnishes and ice. • Knowledge of the cocktails sector, its heritage, development and place in today’s bars. • Good mixology skills, an innovative approach to developing new cocktails and signature drinks, and a willingness to work with new products. • Evidence of pushing the boundaries in mixology in the past year. • Confidence and style when making and presenting cocktails.

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SLTN is delighted to embark on the hunt for Scotland’s Whisky Bar of the Year, in partnership with Glenfiddich. Scotch whisky is enjoying unprecedented success around the world but the Scottish on-trade remains a vital route to market for the country’s national drink.

Whisky Bar of the Year Scotland’s Whisky Bar of the Year will successfully demonstrate the following: • A balanced range of malts, blends and other Scotch and international whiskies that meets a broad spectrum of budgets and tastes. • A strong commitment to staff training, with particular emphasis on developing whisky knowledge, including the varying characteristics of whiskies distilled around the country and beyond. • The successful exploitation of malt in marketing campaigns and activities like whisky and food matching dinners, educational tastings and promotional ‘flights’. • The use of whisky in the development of the bar’s reputation, interior design (including space devoted to whisky in outlet) and overall food and drink offer.

SPONSORED BY In the summer of 1886, with the help of his seven sons and two daughters, William set out to fulfil a lifelong ambition. Together they began building his distillery by hand, stone by stone. After a single year of work it was ready and William named it Glenfiddich, Gaelic for Valley of the Deer. William’s passion, determination and pioneering spirit continues to guide us. Glenfiddich is one of the few single malt distilleries to remain entirely family owned and is now the World’s Most Awarded Single Malt* Scotch Whisky, a true reflection of our founder’s integrity and innovative spirit, passed down through the generations. www.glenfiddich.com *The Glenfiddich range has received more awards since 2000 than any other single malt Scotch whisky in two of the World’s most prestigious competitions, the International Wine & Spirit Competition and the International Spirits Challenge.

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SPONSORED BY Tsingtao is the fourth largest beer brand in the world overall. The brand has an ABV of 4.7% and is brewed using Laoshan water and includes barley and rice in the fermentation to deliver a light clean taste that is an ideal accompaniment to food. At present, the brand enjoys distribution in the majority of UK Chinese restaurants as well as notable UK on-trade customers and multiple groups. Tsingtao also offers a range of merchandise and in-bar activities to support the brand, such as the Dragon Masters tournament, where consumers can test their table tennis skills against a machine-generated player on Tsingtao-branded table tennis tables. Also look out for the Tsingtao racing team in this season’s British superbikes and at the TT.

Late Night Bar of the Year Atmosphere is key to a late night bar. The SLTN Late Night Bar of the Year award will go to an outlet that successfully combines a late night ambience with top quality drinks and excellent customer service. Innovation is key in the late night sector and the SLTN Late Night Bar of the Year will be able to demonstrate business innovation, drinks retail and customer service excellence, and an impactful marketing strategy.

The judges will consider: • Ambience and atmosphere A stylish bar design which conveys a late night vibe. • Drinks and service A range of quality drinks appropriate to the late night bar’s clientele served by knowledgeable staff. • Innovation Key innovations made to the offer in the past year and their impact. • Marketing and promotion Evidence of successful activity undertaken in the past year to communicate with the late night bar’s clientele.

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Heineken® is a true global beer brand. Founded in Amsterdam in 1834, Heineken® is now sold in over 180 countries, and is the world’s leading international premium beer. Heineken® is supported throughout the year with innovative and exciting advertising and outstanding brand platforms including UEFA Champions League, Heineken® Cup and of course James Bond, 007. From the very beginning, Heineken® has placed the utmost importance on quality. The successful Entrepreneur of the Year will demonstrate clear delivery of quality across all aspects of their business.

Entrepreneur of the Year

SLTN and Heineken® have joined forces to search for the licensed trade’s most inspiring and successful entrepreneur.

The successful nominee will demonstrate the following skills and achievements: • Consumer insight The Entrepreneur of the Year will have identified a genuine gap in the market and turned it into commercial reality. That project will have offered an authentically new experience for consumers in its area and be communicated to them through imaginative marketing methods, including social media sites. • Risk taking The winner’s approach to risk will represent a balance between intelligent and grounded commercial insight and a willingness to take bold steps to realise goals. Judges will also look for evidence of the ability to remain focused and resilient in the face of difficulties. • Decision-making Our successful entrepreneur will also be able to demonstrate sound decision-making qualities, even under intense pressure. A clear leader, he or she will be a good communicator who is able to inspire others and delegate effectively. • Development The Entrepreneur of the Year will have excellent project management skills, with the flexibility to re-shape a project if and when circumstances dictate. He or she will also be able to react decisively and creatively to unforeseen challenges as a project develops.

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awards The SLTN Wine Award 2014 is open to all on-trade premises in Scotland. We’re looking for an outlet that’s doing excellent things with and for wine in its own market.

Wine Award

Main judging criteria will include: • Range Consideration of varietals, styles, regions and countries of origin. • Wine by the glass Wide range of wines available by the glass across all quality levels. • Knowledge Evidence that continual staff training is provided to ensure staff have a reasonable knowledge of the range on offer. • Innovation Steps taken to improve the quality of wine sold in outlet and improve the customer experience. • Pricing A wine list that represents value for money to the consumer. • Range development Interaction with wine suppliers and customers to develop a wine range that reflects market trends.

SPONSORED BY As Scotland’s leading independent wines and spirits merchant, we have a commitment to our customers to ensure they receive the best possible product and service. Our wines and spirits portfolio is second-to-none with over 2,000 wines from 180 producers, many of which cannot be found anywhere else. We lead one of the foremost wine training academies in the world, ranked consistently in the top four by the WSET, with our premium spirits training ever growing in demand. Winelisting and in-house design services complete the service package and, with a national sales and distribution resource, we go the extra mile to meet our customers’ needs on time and in full. We deliver beyond expectations.

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Kopparberg Cider, Sweden’s original fruit cider brand, recognises that independent pubs and bars account for a significant proportion of Scotland’s on-trade, and in sponsoring the SLTN Independent Pub/Bar of the Year award, Kopparberg celebrates the vital role which the free trade holds in Scottish society. For the purposes of this award independent pubs and bars are classified as licensed premises which hold a premises licence, and belong to a free trader who owns and operates no more than three outlets. The judges will look for ways in which each operation has adapted and positioned its business proposition to its identified target market, and also assess how responsive the pub operator is to the needs of their consumers. In analysing an outlet’s performance, judges will take into account the pub’s business strategy and how successful the implementation of that plan has been, in making the outlet both popular and commercially successful.

Independent Pub/Bar of the Year Judges will consider: • Marketing initiatives. • Product range. • Recruitment, training and motivation of staff. • Investment and reinvestment in the business. • Customer service - standards and initiatives. • Sustainability against new competition. • Financial performance. Is your pub or bar an excellent performer with an understanding of, and great connections to, its market? We’d like to hear from you.

SPONSORED BY Sweden’s premium fruit cider brand, Kopparberg Cider is fermented and bottled in the family owned brewery in the town of Kopparberg, using the finest fruits and naturally-occurring soft water which is sourced in the town itself. Kopparberg Cider has led the development of the premium fruit cider category in the UK. The first to launch pear and fruit cider variants, the brand has grown rapidly since its launch in 2006, securing extensive listings in some of the leading opinion-forming bars and bar groups across the country.

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SPONSORED BY WallacesTCB is Scotland’s largest independent on-trade wholesale company, supplying over 7,000 customers from six strategically located distribution sites. Often seen as the ‘local’ supplier we are able to offer the service that customers want and have the ability to compete on price with the larger national companies. For more information call 01294 203 000 or visit: www.wallacesexpress.com

Unsung Hero

The judges will look for someone who: • Has gone the extra mile either through their commitment to work or charity in the past year. • Goes above and beyond what is expected of them to help others. • Uses their position in a licensed trade business to raise money and/or awareness of a charity or local group.

Are you or do you know someone who has gone the extra mile in Scotland’s licensed trade in the past year? Perhaps you, or they, are a member of bar staff who goes above and beyond the call of duty in their day-to-day job. Maybe it’s someone who works tirelessly to raise money for charity. Or perhaps the SLTN Unsung Hero is someone only too willing to lend a hand to a local in need.

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www.mixxit.co.uk

Maxxium UK is one of the country’s most dynamic and innovative spirits companies, passionate about creating quality mixed drinks and cocktails. Operating from a head office in Scotland, our success is down to the fact that we’re a community of talented individuals building brands to be proud of. That’s why we’re delighted to acknowledge others whose inspirational blend of innovation and passion have made a special contribution to the Scottish licensed trade.

Please enjoy our brands responsibly

Industry Achievement Award The SLTN Industry Achievement Award 2014, presented in association with Maxxium UK, will recognise an individual member of the trade who has made a very special contribution. The most important influences on Scotland’s licensed trade are the people who play their part in it - as owners and entrepreneurs, managers and educators, activists and innovators. Each year we recognise a very special member of the trade.

The judges will look for: • Contribution That may be a lifetime spent at the forefront of the industry or in the drinks retailing service of a single community. On the other hand it may be the much quicker turnaround of a failing business. It may recognise a major contribution: to the training of young entrants to the industry; to the development of trade bodies; to the promotion and presentation of a local area or indeed of Scotland in general; to the development of an important trade sector, like entertainment, cuisine or visitor attractions; to the significant improvement of standards in the industry; to the improvement of the public image of the trade. • Nominations This is a category in which we expect a high number of nominations. You may propose anyone in the industry who has, in your opinion, made a significant difference - over a full career or over a shorter time. If you know of someone who has made a major contribution to the development of the industry in Scotland, please play your part in ensuring they receive the recognition they deserve.

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Barperson of the Year The Barperson of the Year must be able to serve every drink to the highest standard every time. He or she must demonstrate their appreciation of the beer category as well as their understanding of the intricacies in the world of brewing, and demonstrate their overall love of beer. They must be focused on providing an experience for the consumer which will encourage repeat custom as well as generate new customers by spreading the word. Open to all bar staff across Scotland, the SLTN Barperson of the Year category seeks to recognise the country’s best all-round barperson. We’re looking for someone with the skills, outlook and commitment that make a real difference to the venue they work in – and enhance the experience of its customers. Excellent knowledge of drinks categories is a must, along with a commitment to delivering first class customer service every time.

This year’s winner must be able to consistently demonstrate the following: Aim for perfection • Have an understanding of current trends and developments in the trade, including relevant legislation. • Be keen to develop themselves and coach others through training and development. • Show dedication to the continual improvement of the standards and service offer. Champion beer • Knowledge and understanding of the brewing industry and the wider beer category. • Knowledge of how beer can compliment food flavours and enhance dishes. Upkeep of products • Knowledge of cellar management and beer line cleaning. • Understanding of what can affect the quality of beer service and how to improve it. Passionate about presentation • Use of correct glassware as a basic requirement for the perfect serve. • Demonstrate an understanding of how important glassware is to the service of drinks. Enhancing customer experience • Spark up conversation and find out about the customer’s likes and dislikes. • Talk knowledgeably and confidently about the drinks and brands they sell. • Identify customers’ needs and make recommendations.

SPONSORED BY Molson Coors (UK) has a commitment to the beer industry to work with our customers to enhance how beer is positioned and enjoyed, responsibly, in outlet. By working on quality at point of purchase, footfall driving activities and innovation, Molson Coors (UK) constantly aims to champion consumer experience, hence why it is important that Molson Coors (UK) is this year’s sponsor of the Barperson of the Year award.

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Nightclub of the Year

The judges will consider: • Entertainment and technology The use of DJs, live music and other entertainment alongside cutting-edge sound and lighting technology. • Design and style A stylish and functional interior that leads the way in nightclub design. • Drinks range and pricing An extensive and well-displayed drinks range tailored to the target market. • Marketing and promotion Evidence of a successful marketing and promotional strategy undertaken in the past year to reach the nightclub’s target audience.

Does your nightclub combine top class DJs and live music with cutting-edge sound and lighting technology and a relevant drinks offer to appeal to today’s clubbers? The SLTN Nightclub of the Year award will go to a club which combines all these elements and more.

• Responsible operating A sound knowledge of legislation covering late opening premises and evidence of responsible operating in line with licensing, security and alcohol legislation.

SPONSORED BY As the no.1 energy drink in Scotland, Red Bull has been a fundamental part of the bar scene for many years. The premium positioning of the brand has led to its presence in top nightclubs across Scotland, helping to make a statement about a bar’s image whilst keeping staff energised during shifts. This, alongside the ability to generate an atmosphere, makes Red Bull the perfect partner for SLTN’s Nightclub of the Year award.

Good luck to all the entrants of this award.

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SPONSORED BY Magners Irish Cider is pleased to announce its support of this year’s Best Outdoor Area award. With a heritage firmly routed in advocating good times, Magners is well placed to discover what unique and exciting elements these outdoor spaces have to offer. This is a tough category with the potential for some interesting entries, and we’re once again looking forward to being involved with this year’s awards, and seeing what the nominees have in store for us.

Best Outdoor Area Does your bar, restaurant or hotel deliver a quality al fresco experience? If so, SLTN and Magners want to hear from you. The SLTN Best Outdoor Area award will go to a venue with an outdoor space which has made a real impact on the business in the past year.

The judges will consider: • Design and function The outdoor area should demonstrate good use of space, be clean, tidy and well-maintained, and able to comfortably accommodate al fresco drinkers and diners as well as smokers. • Innovation Smart use of the al fresco area for marketing and promotion through, for example, branded parasols or outdoor TV screens. • Success The outdoor space should have made a real impact on the business in the past year.

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Innis & Gunn is a leading independent Scottish brewer, created following the discovery of a unique flavour. Our flagship beer, Original, was never intended to be drunk – it was designed to season whisky barrels, before being thrown away. Until the distillery discovered how good it tasted. Founded in 2003, we continue to pioneer in the use of oak maturation, extending our range in 2013 with a refreshing yet flavoursome unoaked lager.

New Business of the Year New businesses and business ideas are the bedrock of Scotland’s vibrant licensed trade. And the trade has seen no shortage of innovative new venue concepts in recent times, with many operators going the extra mile to ensure their outlet stands out from the crowd. For the New Business of the Year Award, SLTN and Innis & Gunn are looking for an outlet that has launched in Scotland in the last 12 months – including new venues launched from scratch as well as existing premises relaunched in an entirely new style.

Judges will look for: • A strong business concept, including the outlet’s food and drink offer and design, and clear identification of a market opportunity. • Thorough market research and sound business and financial planning. • Good project management throughout the development of the plan from concept to completion and the resolution of any difficulties encountered during the development. • An innovative and impactful marketing strategy ahead of the launch/relaunch. • Evidence of commercial success since the outlet opened or reopened. • A sound plan to grow the new business in the future.

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Family Outlet of the Year Britvic Soft Drinks is proud to again be part of this year’s awards by sponsoring the Family Outlet of the Year award. Catering for the family occasion is a significant opportunity, particularly when providing food. Families are more likely to visit higher quality outlets for these occasions, so in all cases quality food, leading drinks brands and child-friendly facilities are the foundations of a successful family outlet.

The Family Outlet of the Year award is open to all on-trade outlets catering for the family market. SLTN and Britvic Soft Drinks are looking for outlets that deliver a fantastic experience the whole family can enjoy. The winning venue will have a clear commitment to catering for the whole family – from children to grandparents – and offer a full range of products to suit this broad customer base. Our successful winner will have demonstrated how they consider families in a wide range of activities, from menu creation to promotions and communication. It is likely to have food specifically designed for children and facilities especially for children. It may also offer additional services such as hosting children’s parties. At the same time we’re keen to see that the outlet considers the whole family - that could include teenagers, parents and grandparents as well as young children. The winning outlet is likely to be one in which different family groups can all be accommodated and served well. We’ll be looking for effective, imaginative use of space and location, as well as the food and drink offering - how has the outlet pushed outside of the accepted normality to mark them out as special? How have new trends in eating out influenced how this outlet has succeeded? This might include everything from the use of outside space all the way through to how customers are looked after in the venue – including the staff and how they are trained with families in mind. Do you make a special effort in the family market or do you know someone you would like to nominate for the Family Outlet of the Year? Turn to page 27.

SPONSORED BY Britvic Soft Drinks is one of the UK’s leading soft drinks manufacturers and is dedicated to creating and building brands such as Pepsi, Robinsons, Tango and J2O into household names. Operating in both the ‘Take Home’ and ‘On-Premise’ markets, it is the largest supplier of branded still soft drinks and the number two supplier of branded carbonates. The company offers its customers a portfolio of soft drinks to meet every consumer occasion and need and has a strong track record of delivering successful innovation.

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Cocktail Bar of the Year Cocktails provide an excellent opportunity to build on the benefits of premium drinks brands. They help an outlet increase both profitability and consumer appeal. In the Cocktail Bar of the Year award, SLTN and Angostura are looking for Scottish bars which make the most effective use of cocktails.

Angostura and SLTN are looking for bars where cocktails and quality drinks are at the heart of the operation. Judges will look for: • A good understanding of the venue’s market and the role cocktails can play in that market. • Management and key staff with product knowledge – an understanding of brands, mixers, the development of different cocktails and cocktail styles and the ability to mix classic cocktails well. • Commitment to bartender training and development. • A commitment to fostering innovative attitudes and a willingness to experiment with new mixers and ingredients. • Excellence in customer service combined with confidence and style in mixing and presenting cocktails. • Atmosphere conducive to theatre and style in mixing and presenting cocktails. • Good commercial use of cocktails, creative marketing and plans for the further development of the cocktail offer. • Awareness of ongoing developments in the cocktail scene.

SPONSORED BY Angostura® aromatic bitters is the essential ingredient for a perfect cocktail. A secret blend of herbs and spices, it’s a natural flavour enhancer which has been working its magic since 1824. It possesses the unique ability to diffuse itself through other ingredients, harmonizing them into the perfect cocktail. Expertly used, bitters gives to the cocktail that fragrance and flavour which satisfies the senses. It is due to these unique qualities that it remains a favourite with bartenders and mixologists the world over. Good luck to all entrants.

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SPONSORED BY On the isolated north-eastern tip of Islay lies Bunnahabhain distillery. Travellers will discover a distinguished heritage, a remote, idyllic environment, a history entwined with hardy seafaring lore and, above all, a liquid with a unique, surprisingly gentle and delicate taste profile. By un-chillfiltering our whisky, we ensure you can appreciate the full depth of flavours, aromas and character which make Bunnahabhain a consistently award-winning single malt. Welcome to the gentle taste of Islay www.bunnahabhain.com

Sponsored by Bunnahabhain Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the SLTN Restaurant of the Year award will go to the restaurant that demonstrates the highest quality of food and service together with a comprehensive malt whisky offering.

The Restaurant of the Year category is split into two divisions. In the over £40 fine dining division we’re looking for restaurants where typically a three course dinner (without drinks) from the a la carte menu would cost £40 or more. In the under £40 casual dining division we’re looking at those where a three course dinner (without drinks) would cost less than £40.

Restaurant of the Year In each division the judges will look for: • Quality Absolute commitment to the preparation of high quality food. • Service Consistently high standards of service, reflecting investment in staff training. • Drinks A comprehensive and relevant drinks range, including an appropriate selection of malt whiskies - and staff with the knowledge and confidence to make recommendations. • Atmosphere Flair, character, ambience – call it what you will – a good restaurant has it.

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Scottish Leader is currently one of the fastest-growing blended whiskies in the world and is exported to around 80 countries, however, we are very proud of the fact that the Scottish on-trade is where our success was originally built. With this in mind, we are delighted to be sponsoring the Community Pub of the Year at the SLTN Awards as we firmly believe that these bars and clubs play a very important role in every town and village in Scotland. Scottish Leader was originally founded by the Ross Brothers who had an ambition to create a blended whisky of outstanding quality - it is this same drive and determination to create a focal point within a community for positive interaction which we are looking for. We wish all entrants the best of luck!

Community Pub of the Year Scottish Leader and SLTN have joined forces to find Scotland’s very best community pub. The judges will consider aspects of the pub’s offer and the efforts made to build community spirit within the outlet. Sponsored by Scottish Leader Whisky, the Community Pub of The Year will be a pub of any type which attracts most of its customers from the local area. It will play a significant role within its community, have a relevant drinks range and knowledgeable, friendly staff.

Judges will be assessing the following: • Role in the community Is the pub a recognised focal point in the community? Does the pub support the wider local community through, for example, charity fundraising? • The offer What is provided to attract and retain customers? What is the offer over and above drinks, for example: food; televised sports; entertainment; quizzes and games? • Loyalty Does it encourage customer loyalty and a feeling of involvement through, for example, participation in local pool or darts leagues, or football teams? • Promotions & Events Does the pub create and properly implement promotions, events, theme nights, etc. which increase the use of the pub and benefit customers? • Services Does it offer services to local groups and associations? • Drinks Does it offer a comprehensive and locally relevant drinks range, including an appropriate selection of blended whisky, and do the staff have the knowledge and confidence to make recommendations?

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awards Licensee of the Year is a category open to every personal licence holder in the Scottish on-trade. We are looking for someone who can look back on the last 12 months with a sense of pride and the satisfaction of a job well done.

Licensee of the Year

Are you (or do you know) a licensee who has worked hard, with the best interests of the Scottish hospitality sector at heart, whether by improving standards and service within the industry or by helping others to create a ‘legendary local’? • Evidence of success The winner will be able to demonstrate business success in the past year. • Knowledge The Licensee of the Year will also have in-depth knowledge of the marketplace and of their business’s position within the market. • Staff Training will be paramount to our winner and they will lead by example and show commitment to training their staff. • Professionalism and commitment More than anything else the judges will be impressed by licensees who apply professionalism to everything they do. To enter, or nominate, please fill in the entry form on page 27.

Carlsberg UK is proud to sponsor the SLTN Licensee of the Year Award.