DRINKERS are being told to brace for sobering price rises this Christmas as the cost of festive tipples climbs.
Booze has pushed up inflation, contributing £3 to every £100 of UK price rises, research by the Scotch Whisky Association shows.
It means festive favourites will cost millions more than last year.
Alcohol prices are up 5.8 per cent on last year, according to official figures.
It means a £20 bottle of whisky would now cost about £21.16 and a £10 bottle of prosecco would rise to roughly £10.58.
Distillers — alongside The Sun’s Save Our Sups campaign — are calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to freeze spirits duty in the Budget.
Paddy Fletcher, co-CEO of Edinburgh’s Port of Leith Distillery, said: “A duty freeze from the UK Government would be a lifeline.
“It would give us the confidence to keep investing in our business and give a festive boost to customers.”
Scotch Whisky Association boss Mark Kent added: “It’s a zero-cost way for the Chancellor to bring some early festive cheer.”
A Treasury spokesman said: “Our distilleries are vital to Britain’s economy, so we’re making it easier for them to thrive: no export duty, lower licensing fees, reduced tariffs, and a cap on corporation tax.”
The UK already faces one of the highest levels of spirits duty in Europe, meaning almost £13 in tax on every bottle of Scotch, the SWA said.
