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For a grocery store, Aldi has an impressive fanbase. That’s partly because it’s cheap and partly because of all its in-house offerings, like its chicken that tastes like Chick-fil-A or Friendly Farms cheese. But if you’re in America, you don’t see everything at your local Aldi. The supermarket chain has a long list of spirits for sale, including two types of award-winning whiskey, and none of them are for sale in the United States.

Back in 2018, Aldi’s private-label Highland Black Scotch Whisky and Glen Marnoch Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky both won gold medals at the Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters competition, which crowned them the best whiskies in the world (alongside several other winners). Highland Black won gold again in 2023, while Glen Marnoch took a silver medal.

Both are relatively cheap, too, selling for the equivalent of around $20. But U.S. liquor laws have prevented either variety from gracing the shelves of any American Aldi, alongside its many other liquors, and that’s unlikely to change soon.

U.S. Aldi stores carry a select assortment of beers and wines, guided by less restrictive United States laws. Policies regarding alcohol sales in grocery outlets differ from state to state. Approximately 21 states, including California, Washington, and Louisiana, permit grocery stores to sell different types of alcohol without restriction. Nevertheless, most U.S. states enforce some restrictions, like only allowing beer or only beer and wine.

Aldi operates conservatively and its corporate policy in the United States is to abstain from selling any hard alcohol. Accessories to this policy, it sells only beer and wine in stores where eventually permissible. As a result, Aldi’s booze selection in America is visibly meager compared to its European counterparts. Customers of a German Aldi, from where the company originated, can purchase a wide array of private-label whiskies, rums, vodkas, and other spirits. Several of these products are reportedly quite commendable according to experts.

While award-winning whiskies may likely attract the most attention due to affordable pricing, the store also has other majestically decorated booze for sale. In 2022, Aldi’s Saint Gérmont Premium vodka was designated “Best Vodka of the Year” at the World Vodka Awards and retailed at a modest price of just £15. In 2023, the Haysmith’s Rhubarb and Ginger gin earned recognition at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. Also, the Glen Marnoch Highland whiskey bagged an award.

For those residing in America, Aldi still offers some award-winning wines. Broken Clouds pinot noir, Broken Clouds chardonnay, and Outlander meritage have received honors at the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star awards. Recently, its South Point Estate Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir earned a double gold award at the Melbourne International Wine Competition in 2022. Would it surprise you that a bottle sells for just $4.99?

Read the original article on Daily Meal.