Ardbeg 2017/2025 7 Years Bohemian Schnapsidee - VAME Malts
Neither finish nor distillery can be found on the label of the ‘Bohemian Schnapsidee’ from the German independent bottler VAME Malts from Munich. The website states: ‘A Wee Scottish beastie, matured in a cask that previously contained another famous Scottish drink.’ They refer to the finish as ‘Special Brew’. If you add up 1:1 here, you will quickly recognise the Ardbeg distillery with the Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 Years and what can the Scottish speciality brew be other than Irn-Bru?Peat meets pop culture. And now ask yourself: Is this genius or madness? We are more than curious!
Tasting Notes
Nose
You open the bottle - and it's immediately clear: this isn't a toy. Or is it? The first wave is like an old gym changing room where someone has just opened an energy drink. There's tar, campfire smoke, orange, but also something synthetic, sweet and shrill. Gummy bears dance between BBQ sauce and vanilla malt.
Palate
What hits the tongue here is voluminous, sweet, smoky and somehow completely out of control. Imagine a mango BBQ sauce into which a tub of Swedish cardamom buns has fallen - and then someone has thrown liquorice and orange on top. Sounds confusing? It is.
Finish
The finish wants it all - immediately and simultaneously. First sweet and orangey, then suddenly salty, earthy, tarry - and then back to BBQ, fruit, smoke, a hint of gym and a final sip of gummy bear juice. Yes, it's almost artificial, but in a deliberately charming way.
🥃 We would like to give you the opportunity to participate in a private bottle sharing at cost price with this bottle.
To our bottle sharingsThoughts
Marcel 80/100
This Bohemian Schnapsidee from VAME Malts is a wild ride through smoky and sweet aromas, definitely not your classic fireside dram – more of a cheeky conversation starter packed with character and a touch of chaos. If you're up for unconventional drinking fun and a dash of madness, here’s a real highlight full of personality, quirks, and edges.
Sascha 87/100
The Ardbeg 2017/2025 Bohemian Schnapsidee impresses with a complex, albeit somewhat unruly structure that combines sweet fruit notes and intense smoke with an unusual finish. Despite occasional rough edges, there’s a surprisingly harmonious interplay of peat and experimental influences, making this independent bottling particularly interesting for fans of unconventional Islay whiskies.
Value for Money: Good
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Why is the Ardbeg distillery not explicitly named on the label?
VAME Malts releases this bottling as an independent bottler and deliberately omits the distillery name on the label to focus attention on the uniqueness of the cask and the finish. However, the origin can be deduced through tasting notes and hints provided on their website.
What exactly does the finish with a "special brew" mean and how does it influence the flavor?
The finish took place in a cask that was previously seasoned with a Scottish specialty drink, most likely Irn-Bru. This unusual combination imparts a sweet-fruity note with somewhat artificial nuances, making the whisky distinctive and complex.
How does the high alcohol volume of 57.1% affect the tasting experience?
At 57.1% ABV, the whisky is powerful and intense. It strongly emphasizes the smoky and fruity aromas but can also be quite assertive and demanding. Adding a little water can help open up the flavors and enhance the complexity.