Tangible Alternative Assets Take Centre Stage Ahead of the Autumn Budget

As speculation mounts around the UK’s Autumn Budget on 26 November 2025, Vintage Acquisitions — one of the UK’s leading whisky cask specialists — is urging investors to consider increasing their exposure to tangible assets such as maturing Scotch whisky casks.

With inflation sitting near 3.8% and public finances under strain, the new Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces mounting pressure to raise revenue. Analysts are predicting a mix of frozen tax thresholds, reduced pension and ISA reliefs and targeted property or wealth taxes.

“Traditional tax shelters are under threat,” says Robert Long, Director of Vintage Acquisitions. “Many investors are re-evaluating their portfolios ahead of November. Whisky casks are proving to be one of the few physical assets that both preserve and grow value — regardless of government policy.”

Vintage Acquisitions, established in 2011, manages thousands of casks across Scotland, offering secure storage under HMRC-approved bond and full and complete client ownership documentation.

Over the past decade, rare whisky bottle values have risen by 322% (Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index, 2023) and global demand continues to soar, with Scotch exports reaching £5.4 billion in 2024.

“As governments look to close fiscal gaps, tangible assets offer investors protection from paper-based volatility and future tax drag,” Long adds. “Whisky is a time-based asset — it matures quietly, appreciating while the rest of the world reacts.”

Vintage Acquisitions is currently working with clients who are reviewing and expanding their holdings in preparation for the Autumn Budget.

For press enquiries or interviews, please contact:

Media Relations – Vintage Acquisitions

email: david@vintageacquisitions.com

www.vintageacquisitions.com

References 

BDO LLP (2025) Autumn Budget 2025 predictions. Available at: https://www.bdo.co.uk/en-gb/microsites/budget-autumn-budget-2025/predictions (Accessed: 27 October 2025).

CIPP (The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals) (2025) Inflation stays at 3.8 per cent. Available at: https://www.cipp.org.uk/resources/news/inflation-stays-at-3-8-22-oct.html (Accessed: 27 October 2025).

Fidelity International (2025) What can we expect in the Autumn Budget? Available at: https://www.fidelity.co.uk/markets-insights/personal-finance/personal-finance/what-can-we-expect-in-the-autumn-budget/ (Accessed: 27 October 2025).

House of Commons Library (2025) Fiscal drag: An explainer. CBP 9687. Available at: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9687/ (Accessed: 27 October 2025).
Institute for Government (2025) How Rachel Reeves can approach tax reform to drive growth. Available at: https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/rachel-reeves-approach-tax-reform-drive-growth (Accessed: 27 October 2025).

Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2025) Consumer price inflation, UK: September 2025. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/consumerpriceinflation/september2025 (Accessed: 27 October 2025).

Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) (2025) Scotch Whisky industry records £5.4 billion global exports in 2024. Available at: https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/2024-export-figures/ (Accessed: 27 October 2025).

Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) (2025) Industry Insights – Facts and Figures. Available at: https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/industry-insights/facts-figures/ (Accessed: 27 October 2025).

The Guardian (2025) UK inflation unchanged as Reeves prepares for budget. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/oct/22/uk-inflation-unchanged-rachel-reeves-budget (Accessed: 27 October 2025).

The Guardian (2025) Raise £12 billion in budget by extending income tax thresholds freeze, says think tank. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/oct/25/raise-12bn-in-budget-by-extending-income-tax-thresholds-freeze-says-thinktank (Accessed: 27 October 2025).

The Spirits Business (2025) Scotch sees export value decline in 2024. Available at: https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/02/scotch-sees-export-value-decline-in-2024/ (Accessed: 27 October 2025).


Sources
1. UK inflation (CPI at 3.8% in the 12 months to September 2025)
o Office for National Statistics (ONS) “Consumer price inflation, UK: September 2025” – shows CPI rose by 3.8% in the 12 months to September 2025.
o Additional commentary: The UK’s inflation rate held at 3.8% for the third straight month.
o CIPP “Inflation stays at 3.8%” (news article summarising the data) 

2. Scotch whisky exports – value of £5.4 billion in 2024
o Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) “Scotch Whisky industry records £5.4bn global exports in 2024” – export value figure.
o SWA “Facts & Figures” webpage – confirms that in 2024, Scotch whisky exports were worth £5.4 bn.
o Additional sources confirming the same figure and trend (value down, volume up). 

3. Autumn Budget 2025 – speculation on tax-policy direction
o Institute for Government “The 2025 Budget and beyond: How Rachel Reeves can approach tax reform to help drive growth” – commentary on tax increases likely in a late November budget.
o Fidelity International article “What can we expect in the Autumn Budget?” – discussing possible changes to pensions, ISAs, CGT.
o BDO “Budget Autumn Budget 2025 Predictions” – highlights possible indirect wealth tax/property tax changes.
o House of Commons Library “Fiscal drag: An explainer” – explaining the effect of freezing tax thresholds and how this effectively raises revenue.
o Thought-piece on threshold freeze: Fabian Society via The Guardian (“Raise £12bn in budget by extending income tax thresholds freeze”)