Having tried many YS pu-erh productions from about 2017 onwards, I was also curious about some of their earlier teas that are still in stock. Many seem quite expensive. This one feels almost too cheap, but I am not sure what is the sourced material here.
In any case, I found the tea to be quite nice, but I would barely call it semi-aged in its current state 12 years after production. It has a lot of sweetness and a floral character. There is nevertheless good bitterness and pungency, and a super smooth mouthfeel. The cha qi seemed somewhat caffeine heavy for my liking.
Dry leaf aroma is nutty and it reminds me of honey and orange blossoms. After the rinse, the smell is mineral and very elegant in a sense, with hints of cognac, lemongrass, and sage.
The first steep starts mild, mineral and grassy with a honey flavour. Second is more bitter, herbaceous and sweet overall. The aftertaste is floral and yeasty, but there is also a nutty almond flavour.
Flavors: Almond, Astringent, Bitter, Brandy, Floral, Grassy, Herbaceous, Honey, Lemongrass, Mineral, Nutty, Orange Blossom, Sage, Smooth, Sweet, Yeast
