Evan D.
Dry leaf: large and writhen leaves are dark and rough in appearance, wiry and yet heavy-looking. The smell is of dark fruit and mountain air.
Wet leaf: water douses and awakens the leaves to a wilder smell. I am reminded of a weirdly specific smell of bruised and cut bitter salad greens, with fresh Jingmai raw puerh aroma and raisin notes emerging afterwards, along with mountain honey and something slightly boozy I can’t name.
Liquor: deep amber colored to whiskey colored broth is not very soapy or thick nor oily, but very smooth and not entirely watery, it lingers a little bit upon the tongue like a very weak resin.
Cup smell: light clover honey, the slightest hint of saffron rice, and the fresh air of a cool morning at a freshwater mountain lake in the spring.
Taste: Far from the typical peppery biscuit bomb, it is very sweet and gentle for a sun dried black tea. It reminds me of spring honey, raisins, but with more cooked and complex notes of brown sugar and barley, like fresh wort when brewing beer. It is comforting, but with the slightest peppery bite I am used to, but just towards the end, far more balanced than my own very simple sweet blacks, or the mouthful of black pepper I have experienced with other Yunnan Dian hong. I am called to thinking of the brewery where I apprenticed, and to cool May mornings beside a lake in my boyhood.
Body sensation: Warm and cozy but alert.
Patrick H.
Gentle mellow and flavorful brew that will last for many infusions. I flashbrewed it (2-4 sec) to avoid bitterness. The flavor evolved nicely and remained inviting. I added more leaves after 6 or so infusions and that picked things up well. Had an uplifting tea head after the session. Great price for a premium hongcha.
Karsten
Really like this one, just like I liked last year's version. I wouldn't describe it as aggressive at all. There is definitely a lot of strength in the leaves, but it expresses itself in a rather understated, refined and gentle way, that gives you a clear sense of its potency without causing you any discomfort.
Isaac
Complex and powerful tea. The quality of the gushu material comes through excellently here, with a big tannic structure that gives some huigan. More cooling than most black teas, herbaceous and layered, this tea is a lot of fun to sit with. Can go through more than 10 steeps in a gaiwan or small pot, equally at home grandpa style. I will use as little as half the amount I would for other blacks.
Remco H.
deeply interesting and satisfying tea
