I am drinking the 2017 Turtle Dove and the Bamboo Dove from the same year. These are two white teas from the same material, with the distinction that the latter is pressed into a bamboo and roasted.
Both are pressed very tightly, and it shows. The turtle dove, despite being more than 2 years old, drinks much like a younger white tea. It has a light body and a very floral character with herbaceous and fruit tree flower aromas. There are also hints of apricot, wood, spices, and honey.
The aftertaste is a little more sweet. It is also somewhat cooling and expansive. Overall, it is a simple and satisfying, but not too engaging tea. There’s nothing in it that would make me want to get more, other than maybe the fact that with the tight pressing, it could age quite well.
edit: Towards the end of the session, after it properly opens up, the aroma of spices intensifies and is quite pleasant to be honest. Also, when pushed hard, the texture is a bit thicker, so maybe I was a bit too harsh on it.
Flavors: Apricot, Cinnamon, Floral, Fruit Tree Flowers, Herbaceous, Honey, Spices, Wood
