Based on how I liked the 2017 sample, I got this cake, which I am trying for the first time today. I hope it’s as god as the 2017 one :)
The smell is similar to what I remember, notes of compost and conifer forest are the dominant ones. Later on throughout the session, I also get some nutty aromas.
Now, let’s see how it tastes. Already the rinse is quite flavourful. It reminds me of a Yunnan green tea, but with more of a honey note and nicer bitterness. I am actually surprised how much drinking this tea reminds me of the sessions I had with the 2017 one. I guess that means it’s fairly distinctive and made a lasting impression on me. This one here is a little greener, which makes sense. I get more umami and grassy flavours. Other difference I notice is a stronger sweetness present in the 2018 tea as well as a more upfront honey flavour. It is still very balanced though.
The mouthfeel is as good as in the 2017 version. On top of being thick and creamy, I also found it to be quite bubbly. I have a feeling that this I would consider as the best price/quality ratio sheng I have encountered to date, but I could be forgetting about some. It is a bit more expensive now, but when I bought it, it was selling for $0.1/g.
Flavors: Astringent, Bitter, Bread, Citrus Zest, Compost, Creamy, Drying, Flowers, Grass, Green, Honey, Pine, Sugarcane, Sweet, Tart, Thick, Umami
