Emailed on March 1, 2019 in The Friday Forward

Lidl, the German discount supermarket, has won big at World Whiskies Awards.

Judged by a panel of 40 industry experts, Lidl's Queen Margot, an eight-year blended Scotch whisky, took home a category win for "Scotch Blended 12 Years & Under." The whisky beat out some serious competition from industry giants (and far pricier bottles) including Johnnie Walker Black Label.

Queen Margot retails for $17.98, proving that good Scotch doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Drink for thought: it's not whisky, but the best vodka in the world would technically be both tasteless and colorless. Title 27, Section 5.22 of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Code says that vodka must be distilled or treated until it is, quote, "without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color."

So... there's virtually no difference between your $60 bottle of vodka and that $15 bottle you drank in college. Consumption, on the other hand, may vary...

Here's a super interesting conversation about "premium" vodka if you're interested.