Scottish lawmakers want a price of at least 50 pence per 10 millilitres of pure alcohol in a beverage, to stop people "drinking themselves to death" in a country with rising fatalities from alcohol abuse.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) -- backed by spiritsEUROPE and wine industry representatives Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV) -- asked the Supreme Court in London to strike down the policy after the European Court of Justice (ECJ) said it would breach EU trading rules if alternative tax measures could be introduced.
But seven Supreme Court justices in London dismissed the SWA's contention, ruling unanimously that such pricing is "a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim" and does not breach EU law.
Scotland's semi-autonomous government cannot vary tax on alcohol, as this power is held by the British government in London, but it can regulate the retail sector north of the border.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who devised the plan in 2009 when she was health minister, said she was "absolutely delighted".
"This has been a long road, and no doubt the policy will continue to have its critics, but it is a bold and necessary move to improve public health," she said.
There were 1,265 alcohol-related deaths in 2016 in Scotland, a 10 percent increase on the previous year in a nation of 5.3 million people.
A 50 pence minimum price would mean a 70cl bottle of whisky will cost at least 14 (15.6 euros, $18.4), a 70cl bottle of 37.5% vodka at least £13.13, four 440ml cans of 9% lager at least £7.92 and a 75cl bottle of 12.5% wine could be sold for no less than £4.69.
It would not directly impact on Scotland's premium whisky, which is already sold at well above the minimum price, but the SWA fear it could lead to international trade barriers.
Karen Betts, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive, said: "We will now look to the Scottish and UK governments to support the industry against the negative effects of trade barriers being raised in overseas markets that discriminate against Scotch whisky as a consequence of minimum pricing."
Ignacio Sanchez Recarte, secretary general of CEEV, said they were "disappointed" by the ruling and said other EU member states should not consider adopting Scotland's "experimental" policy until its impact becomes clear.
Joep Stassen, president of spiritsEUROPE, said: "This decision sets an unwelcome precedent for fair competition between alcohol beverage producers."