This year’s inaugural Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards saw Aldi enjoy enormous success as the most-awarded supermarket, winning an impressive 19 accolades for a variety of its high-quality Scottish food and drink.
After almost three weeks of intensive judging involving hundreds of products and more than 60 expert judges from across the food and drink sector, a range of Aldi’s Scottish products from various food and drink categories were announced as the winners.
As well as scooping three Gold Awards in the beer, gin and spirit categories, Aldi also took home two of the six highly sought-after Platinum Awards for their Specially Selected Steak & Ale Pie and 12-Year-Old Speyside Whisky. Both products were described as being “well-balanced”, “exceptional value for money” and of “absolutely outstanding quality”.
Helen Lyons, Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards Co-Founder, said: “My congratulations go out to all our winners and a big well done to Aldi for their sweeping success this year, which is thoroughly deserved. Their championing of Scottish produce is so clear.
“The Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards recognises and celebrates the best produce available in Scotland. Our goal has always been to get more Scottish food and drink products onto more shelves, and it has been such a joy to see the high standard of entries this year.
“Receiving a Scottish Retail Food and Drink Award is a stamp of excellence. Aldi should be very proud of their many successes this year, especially their two Platinum Awards.”
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, added: “I am thrilled that 19 of our Scottish products have been recognised by the Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards. Our success really demonstrates our commitment to providing our customers with the best quality produce that Scotland has to offer at an affordable price.
“I am also so pleased that Aldi has been highlighted as leading the way in Scottish sourcing. The awards and this recognition are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Scottish suppliers.”
Aldi leads the way with local sourcing and stocks some of the finest quality food and drink from over 90 Scottish suppliers. After reaching their initial goal of stocking over 450 Scottish products by the end of 2020, the supermarket has now increased this target to stock over 500 locally sourced products in the next two years.
The complete range of Aldi Scotland products that have won at the 2021 Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards are:
| ALDI Scotland Product Winners | Category | Retail Price |
| 12-year-old Speyside Whisky | Platinum Award – Drink | £20.99, 70cl |
| Specially Selected Steak & Ale Pie | Platinum Award – Food | £1.99, 250g |
| Toradh | Gold Award – Gin | £14.99, 70cl |
| Eidyn | Gold Award – Gin | £19.99, 70cl |
| Anti A | Gold Award – Beer | £1.19, 330ml |
| Rubus | Gold Award – Beer | £1.25, 330ml |
| 12-year-old Speyside Whisky | Gold Award – Other Spirits | £20.99, 70cl
|
| Specially Selected Sundried Tomato, Lentil & Smoked Paprika Soup | Store Cupboard | £0.75, 380g |
| Specially Selected Chicken Balmoral | Ready Meals & Accompaniments | £3.79, 465g |
| Specially Selected Steak & Ale Pie | Quiches, Pies and Pasties | £1.99, 250g
|
| Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus 36-Day Aged Ribeye | Steak | £4.89, 227g |
| Specially Selected Black Pudding | Haggis, Black & White Pudding | £0.99, 200g |
| Specially Selected Scotch Aberdeen Angus Dry Aged Steak Burger | Burgers and Sausages | £2,49, 340g |
| Ginger, Chilli and Lime Infused Scottish Salmon Fillets | Fish | £2.99, 220g |
| Specially Selected Jersey Milk | Dairy | £0.95, 1l |
| Specially Selected Scottish Vintage Cheddar | Cheese | £1.25, 200g |
| Specially Selected Orkney Caramel Biscuits | Biscuits – Sweet | £1.69, 200g |
| Specially Selected Oatcake Bikes – Lockerbie Cheddar | Biscuits – Savoury | £0.99, 175g |
Aldi’s Specially Selected Lemon Shortbread Rounds were also Commended in the Biscuits – Sweet category.
