Rare Billy Connolly whisky up for sale

One of the last remaining bottles of whisky produced for comedian Billy Connolly’s gigs in the 1970s is to go under the hammer in Scotland.

The whisky was sold at the “Big Yin’s” gigs in Glasgow during the 1970s

The miniature bottle of blended Scotch, called Nippy Sweetie, is believed to be one of the last in existence. The whisky was produced by Glasgow-based distiller Douglas Laing & Co for Billy Connolly and was sold at the “Big Yin’s” gigs in Glasgow during the 1970s by the “lady who also sold the ice-creams”.

“We have had some unusual whiskies through our doors over the years but I don’t think I have ever come across anything linked to Billy Connolly,” said McTear’s whisky specialist, Laurie Black.

“It may have a comedy connection but it will be no laughing matter when the bidding starts on this very rare bottle. It is a fantastic item and we are expecting lots of interest from home and overseas.”

Another bottle of Nippy Sweetie emerged in February of this year, thought then to be the very last remaining bottle. It was donated to the Art of Billy Connolly exhibition at the People’s Palace in Glasgow by whisky firm, Douglas Laing & Co.

This second bottle is expected to fetch between £200 to £300 when it goes up for sale at McTear’s Rare and Collectable Whisky Auction in Glasgow on 27 April. It will appear alongside a number of other rare blended whiskies, including a 25 year old bottle of ‘Pre-War Strength’ Chivas Regal which is believed to have been distilled around 1908 and is expected to fetch up to £3,000.

“In the world of Scotch whisky, it is always thought the big, bold single malts are the bottles that command the big money at auction, but these bottles show that blended whiskies are also much in demand”, said Claire Douglas from McTear’s.

The miniature bottle is expected to fetch between £200-£300 when it is auctioned on 27 April in Glasgow