Aldi prides itself on being a budget supermarket, but in the last few years the industry has started to take notice of its produce as well as the price tag.
A £12.99 bottle of own-brand whisky sold by the German retailer has won the top prize at a drinks awards – despite being pitched against competitors who were up to six times as expensive.
The unlikely winner, the Highland Black 8 Year Old Scotch Whisky, was given the International Spirits Challenge gold medal.
The retailer also scooped silver medals for two other whiskies – the Glen Orrin 5 Year Old Malt Whisky, a slightly pricier £13.29, and Clark'e Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (£14.99) – while Highland Earl Scotch Whisky took a bronze medal.
Aldi's joint managing director for corporate buying, Tony Baines, said: "We are extremely proud that our own-label whisky range has been recognised by some of the world's leading experts.
"2015 is proving to be a fantastic year so far in terms of award wins - and we hope our customers will join us in raising a glass to celebrate."
Aldi have already toasted success at other whisky awards this year, striking gold at the Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters Awards for two other whiskies and winning a "master" certification for their Glen Marnoch Speyside Single Malt Whisky.
