2010 Fuenteseca 7 yr. Extra Anejo - NOM 1146 - 42%
Last summer, I had the privilege of trying the Fuenteseca 15 and 18 year. They were very good. I prefered the complexity of the 15 year, but the 18 was rich and full - absolutely crushable. As good as they were, I wasn't tempted to purchase given the price tags - around five hundred bucks. They did however motivate me to track down a sample of the 7 year.
Marketing info on the 7 year:
"Enrique Fonseca distilled this expression in early Spring of 2010, with three-quarters of the bottling made in a double-copper column still with removed plates to achieve a lower distillation proof and the remaining quarter made in an alembic pot still. Half of the run was then stored in American white oak previously used to age California red wine, and the remaining half barreled in used dark French Oak. The casks were then stored for 7 years at 3,800′ elevation in a cool-climate subterranean barrel room."
Nose: Butterscotch. Oak. Honeyed agave. Brown sugar. Fresh mixed berries.
Flavor: Honey. Baked agave. Nutmeg. Baking spice. Oak.
Structure: Full and layered up front. Lean and dry in the back.
Alcohol Integration: Very balanced.
Score: 8 (Stash One) These are still out there. I'm going to see about tracking one down. Lots of similarities to the Arette Unique XA that I took notes on last week. Enjoyed this slightly more than my memory of the 15 or 18 year.
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Well-aged XA with balanced oak influence.
Rating System
10 - Reevaluate The Budget
9 - Stash Two (If Able)
8 - Stash One (At The Right Price)
7 - Highly Recommend It To Strangers
6 - Solid - Above Average
5 - Acceptable For The Situation
4 - Not Vocally Complaining
3 - Anything Else To Drink?
2 - Nothing Nice To Say
1 - Drain Pour