my rating is based on the first lote... the 7yr is my favorite of the fuenteseca expressions. had my first flight of fuenteseca at cantina mayahuel in San Diego 2014?2015? - 7yr, 9yr, 12 yr. the 7yr was the best of all, in my opinion, and compared to the rest of the line, best value. looked at my old notes = 7yr "tears-like", 9yr more oaky, lost some sweetness. it was good but more expensive than 7yr and not as good, in my opinion.

Very strong and complex aroma. I get strong notes of cherry and oak but there's also an earthy quality to it (clay). The flavor, as to be expected, is very oaky. But, it also has a very strong black pepper note. The finish is very tannic with subtle notes of caramel and cherry.

UPDATED 12/24/2018: Aroma of dried fruit with a slight earth/clay note. Flavor is filled with black pepper spice Major black pepper along with a little spicy peppermint. This one also has a distinct tannic expression with a notable bitterness at the finish. The finish is moderate to long with strong peppery notes lingering. 12/24/2018 - 6th Annual Xmas XA tasting

Vanilla bomb on the nose. caramel hits the palate first and oak quickly follows. Light on the pallete

Notes of vanilla with a spicy finish