I had an interesting side by side comparison today, involving this tea and the 2014 vintage thereof. There is a striking difference between these two teas, despite the mere 4 years of (mostly Kunming) aging difference between them.
The 2018 tea is one of the most bitter teas I know. All the other flavours are hidden behind the bitterness and it takes a very long time until it transforms into sweetness. It has some sugar, fruit, and tart notes here and there, but it’s not an even battle. The aromas in this tea are reminiscent of wood, fresh hay and/or grass compost, with some smokiness appearing in the middle of the session.
The 2014 version, on the other hand, has lost much of the bitterness. It is a smoky, farm-like, and savoury tea with a very tart finish and notes of camphor and apple skins. Its mouthfeel is thicker than in the younger tea. The liquor is more slick and active in the mouth. As for the smell, it is quite pungent and smoky with notes of barn and brewed coffee.
Flavors: Bitter
