Aberlour A'bunadh Batch #84

While Glen Scotia held court as the evening’s coastal anchor, a rogue wave of Speyside indulgence crashed the party in the form of Aberlour A'bunadh Batch #84. Not listed on the official tasting sheet, this bottle was quietly uncorked for those with a soft spot for sherry bombs—and it did not disappoint. Bottled at a formidable 61.2% ABV and matured exclusively in oloroso sherry casks, Batch #84 came in hot, both literally and figuratively. The nose was a festive riot: orange peel, black cherries, ginger spice, and a hint of clove. On the palate, it unfolded like a decadent holiday dessert—dried figs, dark chocolate ganache, and toasted oak, all wrapped in a warming embrace of sherry richness. Though it escaped formal scoring, the club consensus was clear. It was a spirited detour from the night’s maritime map, offering a rich, nostalgic contrast to Glen Scotia’s briny indulgence.