A NEW SERIES OF EVENTS FROM SLTN
In Conversation with SLTN is a new series of events, providing an opportunity for bar operators and staff to come together over quality food and drink. The events feature top speakers and the chance to voice your thoughts on a range of hot topics impacting the industry.
Past events
Inclusivity in whisky
4th September 2023
'In Conversation with SLTN: Inclusivity in Whisky’ set out to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the whisky sector in its efforts to attract both a broader range of customers and a more inclusive workforce.
Thanks to our three excellent speakers – Kirsten Blackburn of The Borders Distillery, Charlotte Barker of Diageo GB, and Danielle David of Kromanti Rum – and our highly engaged audience of bar operators, the event surpassed every expectation, culminating in an electrifying discussion of inclusivity issues and opportunities across the spectrum of gender, age, ethnicity and sexuality.
As everyone applauded this new chance to be heard, what also emerged was common agreement that the ‘In Conversation…’ event should be the first of many more like it.
This event was sponsored by
Past speakers:
Danielle David
Co-Founder, Kromanti RumDani is the co-founder of Kromanti Rum, a unique spirit infused with tamarind. From a career in commercial shipping, she stepped into the world of rum a little over a year ago, propelled by the emotional connection to rum via her Caribbean heritage.
She’s driven to bring her voice to the drinks industry and foster a community of genuine, like-minded people: “It was a great privilege to be part of the first Inclusivity in Whisky Event – a necessary platform to stir some important discussions about how we can change the industry for those underrepresented at all levels, and decide for ourselves what the future could look like.
Charlotte Barker
Malts Ambassador for GB - DiageoFrom a non-alc start-up to pouring pints at football stadiums, and serving luxury whisky at five-star hotels, Charlotte now gets to talk about her favourite whisky portfolio at Diageo, inspiring and informing using myths, stories, and science to bring life to every distillery.
Her most recent adventure took her to running the whisky bar at Milroy’s of Spitalfields where she curated a menu of 1000 whiskies (which she still maintains is not enough). Whilst there, she started running Women’s+ Whisky Night: evenings dedicated to the exploration of female+ focused brands and providing an alternative space to enjoy and learn about whisky.
Kirsten Blackburn
Head of Marketing, The Borders DistilleryThe Borders Distillery is the first Scotch Whisky distillery to operate in the Scottish Borders since 1837. Working with twelve local farms, TBD uses barley grown within 35 miles of the distillery to produce new make spirit, which goes on to become Whisky, Gin and Vodka.
It’s all about Borders barley, Borders water, and Borders people. TBD are passionate about bringing whisky-making back to this region of Scotland. Their hometown of Hawick is built on an ethos of manufacturing, using their river source to feed the production of Tweed, Cashmere and now Whisky. With centuries of engineering carved into the town’s past, it comes as no surprise that distilling comes as second nature to their young and growing team. TBD has introduced an industry back into the Scottish Borders, creating opportunities to build careers in whisky-making, marketing, and global export.
Past speakers:
Danielle David
Co-Founder, Kromanti RumDani is the co-founder of Kromanti Rum, a unique spirit infused with tamarind. From a career in commercial shipping, she stepped into the world of rum a little over a year ago, propelled by the emotional connection to rum via her Caribbean heritage.
She’s driven to bring her voice to the drinks industry and foster a community of genuine, like-minded people: “It’s a great privilege to be part of the first Inclusivity in Whisky Event – a necessary platform to stir some important discussions about how we can change the industry for those underrepresented at all levels, and decide for ourselves what the future could look like.
Charlotte Barker
Malts Ambassador for GB - DiageoFrom a non-alc start-up to pouring pints at football stadiums, and serving luxury whisky at five-star hotels, Charlotte now gets to talk about her favourite whisky portfolio at Diageo, inspiring and informing using myths, stories, and science to bring life to every distillery.
Her most recent adventure took her to running the whisky bar at Milroy’s of Spitalfields where she curated a menu of 1000 whiskies (which she still maintains is not enough). Whilst there, she started running Women’s+ Whisky Night: evenings dedicated to the exploration of female+ focused brands and providing an alternative space to enjoy and learn about whisky.
Caitlin Heard & Kirsten Blackburn
Team Lead & Head of Marketing, The Borders DistilleryThe Borders Distillery is the first Scotch Whisky distillery to operate in the Scottish Borders since 1837. Working with twelve local farms, TBD uses barley grown within 35 miles of the distillery to produce new make spirit, which goes on to become Whisky, Gin and Vodka.
It’s all about Borders barley, Borders water, and Borders people. TBD are passionate about bringing whisky-making back to this region of Scotland. Their hometown of Hawick is built on an ethos of manufacturing, using their river source to feed the production of Tweed, Cashmere and now Whisky. With centuries of engineering carved into the town’s past, it comes as no surprise that distilling comes as second nature to their young and growing team. TBD has introduced an industry back into the Scottish Borders, creating opportunities to build careers in whisky-making, marketing, and global export.
This event has now passed, if you would like to attend future events please register your interest below.
In Conversation with SLTN is organised by Scottish Licensed Trade News (part of Peebles Media Group). SLTN is Scotland’s leading hospitality trade magazine.
