The most sought after early Clynelish 12 Year Old Ainslie & Heilbron has a distinctive white and red box and label.
There are two main versions of the Clynelish 12 Year Old Ainslie & Heilbron whisky. The early 1970s version with the white and red label and box, and the slightly later 70s version with the brown and orange styling for the label and box, which was used throughout the 1980s as well. The latter style was also used for the Gordon and Macphail bottlings in the 1990s.
The earliest 1960s to early 70s versions of this whisky command a significant premium on the market. That is likely because a 1970s release date for a 12 year old means they were comfortably distilled at the original Clynelish site—which in 1969 became known as Brora after a new Clynelish distillery was built over the road.
If you are looking to sell a bottle of Clynelish 12 Year Old Ainslie & Heilbron whisky then we can help. Read on for an analysis of the recent market for Clynelish Ainslie & Heilbron bottles and use the form below to receive a free valuation and advice on how to sell your bottle 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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Clynelish 12 Year Old Ainslie & Heilbron: Market Analysis
This analysis examines 100 auction results for the highly sought-after Clynelish 12 Year Old Ainslie & Heilbron bottlings spanning July 2023 to March 2025. The data offers a comprehensive insight into the performance of the variation within this iconic expression.
The release era—deduced by the style of the label and box—creates clear valuation tiers within this expression. The ultra-rare white and red label, Cask Strength “Edward and Edward” bottlings from 1969-1973 are the most sought after and vary between £2,300 and £5,100 depending on condition and auction. The slightly later style 1970s Cask Strength “Edward and Edward” releases tend to averager around £800 to £2,100. The 1980s and 1990s versions (marked by a change in volume and Gordon and Macphail as a bottler) tend to achieve more modest results around £300 to £700.
Import variations have some impact valuation. Italian imports (Di Chiano), French imports (La Maison Rocassel) and German imports (Cord Stehr) can command premiums over standard releases from the same era.
The market for these early Clynelish demonstrates remarkable strength, with values for the rarest variants increasing by 20-30% since early 2023. This is despite a generally stable or somewhat negative performance in many other sectors of the secondary whisky market. For collectors who acquired bottles before 2023, current conditions represent exceptional selling opportunities, particularly for the cask strength and early imported variants.
Auction house performance demonstrates significant variation. Regional patterns are particularly noteworthy, with European auctions frequently commanding stronger prices than UK equivalents for comparable bottles, especially for rare 1960s and 1970s editions with specific importers.
Those seeking to enter the market might consider the early 1980s standard releases, which represent relative value while still offering authentic period character from this highly regarded bottling series.
How to Sell Your Clynelish Ainslie & Heilbron?
As the data above shows, it is important to choose the right time and place to sell your bottle of early Clynelish 12 year old whisky. 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.
What Is Your Whisky Worth
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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