A SUPERMARKET gin has been named the best in the world beating well-known brands including Gordon's and Beefeater Gin.

Aldi picked up nine accolades at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) including a gold medal for their popular Oliver Cromwell London Dry Gin.

Priced £9.99, it beat off stiff competition from bottles costing up to 2.5 times the price including Sipsmith.

It's not the first time the bargain gin has picked up an award.

In the past 12 months it's scooped three industry awards as well as the Good Housekeeping Institute’s seal of approval.

Aldi’s Topaz Premium Gin, priced £13.99, also took home a silver medal.

The awards come at a time when the UK’s love for gin is seemingly unstoppable.

Figures indicate that sales of the popular botanical-based drink rose by 27% in the UK last year, resulting in an extra 51 million bottles sold nationally.

Julie Ashfield, joint managing director of corporate buying at Aldi, said: “We’re particularly thrilled that our own-label Oliver Cromwell London Dry Gin and Topaz Premium Gin have been successful at yet another international competition - it’s always a proud moment when a distinguished awarding body recognises our own-label range.

"Not only is it a great indication of the work we put in to sourcing great tasting spirits for Aldi shoppers, the wins are a testament to the excellent quality and great-value of both gins.”

An International Spirits Challenge spokesman said: “Aldi currently holds the ISC’s title of “Supermarket Own Branded Spirits Range of the Year”, owing to its range being the best supermarket drinks performers in last year’s competition, so we were delighted to see more products return this year.

"Receiving a gold medal is a fantastic achievement, and a testament to the quality of the spirits entered."