A bottle of whisky costing just ​£13.49 at Lidl has won big at the first round of this year's World Whiskies Awards, scooping the prize for 'Best Scotch Whisky' in the '12 year old and under' category in the 'Blended' section.

Gathering in December, January and February in cities including Tel Aviv, Melbourne and Edinburgh, more than 40 international experts sampled whiskies from around the world for the competition.

The World Whiskies Awards is an annual event that recognises the "very best in all internationally recognised styles of drinks".

It's presented by TheDrinksReport.com, an online resource for professionals within the drinks industry.

Among those beaten by Lidl's entry in its category included the Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky, which retails at £22 at Sainsbury's.

Teetotal celebrities on why they don't drink Show all 7 1 /7 Teetotal celebrities on why they don't drink Teetotal celebrities on why they don't drink Ruby Rose Rose explained her decisions for quitting booze in an column for News.Com.Au, which ranged from cost to health, after deciding sobriety was the path forward following a heavy night with the singer. “Remember when Katy Perry and I crashed the year 12 formal? I don't. I had been off the grog for 30 days - my first attempt at sobriety - and I was out partying with Katy. What I do remember thinking was: "I'll have a drink tonight, I deserve one. I mean, what's the worst that could happen?" Well, not stopping at one drink, or ten, and then vomitting on Katy's foot was the answer. What was worse was I don't normally spew (I don't know why, I just don't), so clearly the universe wanted to punish me. “I can't say for certain how much money I've wasted on getting wasted but I'm sure the figure would hit me harder than any hangover.” REX Features Teetotal celebrities on why they don't drink Blake Lively In 2012, the Cafe Society actress told Allure magazine drinking is never something she has enjoyed. "I don't drink. I've never tried a drug. ... It's just something that I genuinely don't have a desire for." Getty Teetotal celebrities on why they don't drink Daniel Radcliffe The Harry Potter actor told GQ quitting alcohol came as he became increasingly dependent on it to feel confident in social situations. “I became so reliant on [alcohol] to enjoy stuff. As much as I would love to be a person that goes to parties and has a couple of drinks and has a nice time, that doesn’t work for me. I do that very unsuccessfully.” AFP/Getty Images Teetotal celebrities on why they don't drink Jennifer Lopez Lopez is careful about her health and diet. “I don't drink or smoke or have caffeine,” she told US Weekly in January. Getty Teetotal celebrities on why they don't drink Kate Beckinsale The actress told Parade her decision not to drink was her “true beauty secret”. “I don’t really drink alcohol and I always take my makeup off at night!” Getty Images Teetotal celebrities on why they don't drink Kim Kardashian “Kimberly does not drink alcohol whatsoever," her sister Khloe has said. ”Pregnant or not, she's just never been into it." Kardashian herself has said she has never liked the taste of alcohol. Getty Teetotal celebrities on why they don't drink Jim Carry "I rarely drink coffee. I'm very serious about no alcohol, no drugs. Life is too beautiful." - In an interview with CBS in 2004 Getty images

Two further stages of the competition are due to take place to determine the winners for the 'Best Overall Blended Whisky' and the 'Best Overall Whisky', the results of which will be declared on 28 March.

The Lidl Queen Margot Blend Scotch Whisky is produced by using traditional whisky-making methods, ​which will have included malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation and maturation.

It contains dried apricot and plum, which the supermarket says imbue it with "a rich sweetness and depth of flavour" and is mellowed for eight years in oak casks.

Lidl's £13.49 Queen Margot whisky (Lidl)

Whisky is made from three basic ingredients: water, malted barley and yeast.

Once the barley has been dried, it's mixed with hot water to make "mash".

The mash is then fermented and distilled, before being placed in wooden barrels to mature.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

This isn't the first time Lidl has triumphed at an alcohol award ceremony.

In April 2018, the supermarket's Hortus Artisan Dry Gin beat other more expensive rivals during a blind taste test conducted by the Good Housekeeping Institute.

Furthermore, it was recently announced that Lidl had been awarded the prize for Own Brand Gin Supermarket of the Year at Gin magazine's 2019 Icons of Gin awards.

This article has been updated to reflect the Lidl Queen Margot whisky won its award in the first round of the competition in the category for '12 year old and under' whisky in the 'Blended' section, and that further stages of the competition are yet to take place.