Cask Le Sens x Watashi Whisky Glen Elgin 13yo cask #806484 & Cask Le Sens x The WhiskyFind Inchgower 16yo (Ode to Immortality) cask #801568

Cask Le Sens x Watashi Whisky Glen Elgin 13yo cask #806484

Region: Speyside

ABV: 56.0%

Price: £80.00

Distilled in 2012 and bottled in 2025 after 13 years of maturation, this release was drawn from a first fill Sauternes barrique. Just 96 bottles were produced.

Nose

The nose opens with foam banana sweets, malt loaf, lemon posset, white chocolate mice and a tiny hint of plasticine. It's very confectionery forward with an undertone of malty richness, quite compelling. Going back, we're finding sponge cake, apricot jam and some vanilla fondant. The spirit has some weight to it, but the Sauterne cask finish is adding a touch of richer, syrupy sweetness. There's a bit of heat on the nose but overall it's quite well balanced. 

Palate

The palate opens with a rich dark caramel hit, it's got lots of chocolate coins, warm nutmeg spice, toffee pops, ginger cake and some sweetened rye biscuits on the latter palate. That weighty spirit we got on the nose translates really well into the palate, and we're getting handfuls of roasted nuts as we go back for another sip. There's also a little bit of blood orange syrup and Campari as the finish lingers on for a good length. The alcohol is in good balance, with only a hint of warming ginger spice coming through.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose has more of a ginger syrup, nut brittle, sawn wood and dark brown sugar note. It's lost some of the lighter sugary aromas in favour of richer, nuttier and slightly drier characteristics. To be honest, we don't love it as much now, we don't think the water has helped too much.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate maintains the thick, rich syrupy mouthfeel, with lots of caramels, chocolates and a bit of rye spice coming through on the latter palate. Not too much has changed, but again, we don't think it needs water.

Conclusion

On paper, this is dram that we'd probably look past in favour of more popular distilleries, however we'd have missed a gem of a bottling. It's weighty, syrupy and rich whilst showcasing both the spirit and cask finish in harmony. Very tasty whisky.

Score: 8/10

Value

A few pounds cheaper would have been nice, but we’ll assume that the Sauternes barrique added to the cost here.

Cask Le Sens x The WhiskyFind Inchgower 16yo (Ode to Immortality) cask #801568

Region: Speyside

ABV: 56.6%

Price: £114.00

Distilled on 12th February 2009 and bottled on 26th August 2025 after 16 years of maturation. Finished by double maturing for 4 years in a first fill Oloroso hogshead. A collaboration with The WhiskyFind in the “Ode to Immortality” series. Outturn of 235 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with Irn-Bru, candied ginger, Highland toffee, salted caramel and Medjool dates. It's quite oloroso-forward, although not totally overpowering, there's still some spirit character in the background. Going back, there's some wholemeal bread alongside something a little fizzy, sherbet perhaps. The alcohol feels balanced, it's more of a gingery spice that backs up some of those richer sherry aromas. We're also getting lots of flamed orange peel as we go back to the dram.

Palate

The palate opens with a caramel-like texture and flavour, some warm ginger spice, chocolate sponge cake laden with chocolate whipped cream - it's very cocoa forward. There's also some orange segments, toasted coconut shavings and sultanas soaked in brandy. It's warmer on the palate than the nose, but the richer flavours of the whisky can stand up to this. Going back, there's some cherry liqueur and almonds appearing. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose feels slightly brighter and fruiter, more berries, raisins and sultanas, but it still maintains a richness in the background. There's something a little drying that's started to appear now, something like varnished wood or furniture polish. We'd skip the water on this one.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate follows on from the reduced nose with more upfront fruit, this time orange, but more like chocolate orange with some cherry too. It feels quite warm now, like the alcohol hasn't increased but we've lost some of the richness that was previously balancing it. Like the nose, we'd skip water here.

Conclusion

A well done modern sherry cask finish, balancing a lot of richer, chocolate-led flavours with a malty, bready spirit. It's not a sherry bomb, but there's a lot for sherry lovers to enjoy. 

Score: 7.5/10

Value

You can find better value indie Inchgowers.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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