Decant Journal
Budget 2026: Whisky Casks Still Sit Outside Capital Gains Tax
The Budget raised tax on savings and rental income and halved a key business relief. Capital gains tax rates, and the rules that exempt whisky casks, were left unchanged.
By Vedat MizrahChief Financial Officer
1 min read/Oct 28, 2026
The Budget on 28 October 2026 raised tax on savings and rental income and halved a key business relief. Capital gains tax rates, and the rules that exempt whisky casks, were left unchanged.
For a higher-rate taxpayer, that widens the gap between a gain on a qualifying whisky cask, which carries no capital gains tax, and almost every other way of earning a return.
What changed in the Budget
- Savings and rental income: +2 points. Tax on savings and rental income rises to 24%, 44% and 49% from 6 April 2027.
- Business Asset Disposal Relief: £1m → £500k. The lifetime limit halves for sales from 6 April 2027.
- Capital gains tax: no change. Rates stay at 18% and 24%, and the £3,000 annual allowance stays.
- Whisky casks: no change. The wasting-asset rules that apply to whisky casks are untouched.
