There were two releases under “The Birds” labels by Moon Import, the first in 1987 and the second in 1990.
Moon Import are renowned for their distinctive decorative labels, arguably the most famous of which is “The Birds.” There were two releases from Moon Import with bird themed labels; the first in 1987 and the second in 1990. The 1987 release included highly limited edition runs from Bowmore, Springbank and Adbeg as well as a Tamnavulin. The 1990 releases are also highly renowned but from a wider spread of distilleries, including some less well known for their single malt, and this produces a stark difference in price achieved between the two releases.
If you are looking to sell a bottle of Moon Import “The Birds” then we can help. Read on for an analysis of the recent market for “The Birds” 1987 and 1990 releases and use the form below to receive a free valuation and advice on how to sell your Moon Import in 2025.
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Please use the form below to submit images of your bottle and receive a free, no-obligation valuation from a specialist auctioneer. We will also actively seek the highest offer from our network of private collectors to help you sell your whisky.
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Moon Import “The Birds”: Market Analysis
Moon Import’s “The Birds” series has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the secondary whisky market between 2023 and 2025. There are significant value variations across the two collections, although the data is likely skewed by the awareness of distilleries included in each release.
The Ardbeg 1966 and Springbank 1965 releases from Birds one are the standout performers in terms of price achieved. These two releases have maintained strong price positions, with Ardbeg 1966 achieving £2,900 to £3,500 and Springbank 1965 commanding £2,500 to £3,600 throughout 2024 and into early 2025. Performance is dependent on auction choice and the condition of the bottle.
In contrast, the Tamnavulin, Miltonduff and Glen Garioch releases tend to achieve prices in the hundreds (£300 to £600) and have shown more significant price fluctuations. These releases still demonstrate overall growth from pre-2020 levels. The other bottles within the series tend to fall between these ranges depending on condition, auction and frequency of appearance.
In general prices show a trend of softening from 2022 peaks in line with overall market changes. However, the rarest examples in the best condition continue to command strong prices, particularly those from closed or highly collected distilleries.
Regional auction performance shows European sales dominating. UK appearances are limited but typically achieved a 5-10% premium over EU counterparts.
For sellers, timing remains important with these rare bottles. The current market appears to have stabilised following the broader correction. However, the finest examples from prestigious distilleries continue to demonstrate long-term appreciation potential, particularly when presented with original packaging and documentation.
How to Sell “The Birds” By Moon Import?
As the data above shows, it is important to choose the right time and place to sell your bottle of Moon Import “The Birds”. Not all auctions can generate the same results and choosing the right place to sell is important.
If you complete the contact form above, we can connect you with a specialist auctioneer who will provide a free, no-obligation valuation and expert advice on selling your bottle. The best whisky auctioneers will offer a free of charge collection service if you have a number of bottles, or even offer access to their own courier service if you just have a few.
Auctions often take place each month and commission varies from 5-10%+VAT and listing fees. The benefits of auction are a near guaranteed sale (if the reserve is sensible) and a quick payout after the sale. The auctioneer will advise on a suitable reserve in advance of the sale.
Alternatively, you may consider selling to a retailer. However, retailers typically offer around 30–50% of their listed price due to factors like VAT, corporation tax, and slow stock turnover, which can impact their buying decisions more than you might expect. If you sell to a retailer you will be expected to post the bottle to them yourself, although they might help with this too. Payment terms will be quick, but you will likely have to contact around 5-10 retailers to ensure you get the best possible price.
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Do you want to know what your whisky is worth but don’t know where to start?
Use these guides to help you.
What Is Your Whisky Worth? – An in-depth look at the factors affecting your bottle’s value.
A Beginner’s Guide To Selling Whisky – Everything you need to get started selling your whisky including all the online selling options.
How To Sell Whisky Online – A guide to getting a valuations and selling your whisky.
Sell Your Whisky Today – A simple way to sell your whisky fast.
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