Another run-in with an aged oolong…
The roast on this is strong, but balanced. Unlike other heavily-roasted oolongs I have had, this one has deep roastiness without assaulting your palate with lighter fluid and charcoal. In fact, it has the depth and richness of a well-roasted coffee.
As for the aging, I suppose it has helped add some depth of flavor. It reminds me of a pu’erh with some age on it, with a lingering base of sweet earthy flavors that help other flavors pop and transition.
So, I certainly did enjoy drinking this tea. For me, though, I still prefer less of a charcoal note so that I have access to finer flavors. This one was so roasty that it really just made me want to grab a cup of coffee.
Also, I’m cheap. At $7 for 25g, I’m paying about $2 per session. Not bad for a treat, but if I’m going to treat myself, I’ll stick with Tie Luo Han, which I thought had a more dynamic experience. For a more economical Wu Yi, I recommend Golden Guan Yin Da Hong Pao or Traditional Roast Shui Xian.
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Dry Leaf – dry nuttiness like peanut shell, dry spice, cocoa powder, musty fruitiness – some prune, citric tartness, hints at charcoal roast. In preheated vessel – big whallop of charcoal – not super pleasant.
Smell – charcoal roast, peanut shell, hard wood. Again, not really pleasant.
Taste – bold charcoal roast (but not lighter fluid), deep roasted nut, coffee-like. Development has creamy earthiness and minerality that includes some marine savoriness. Aftertaste gives way to melon, citrus tart notes with underlying sweet prune.
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The YS Tie Luo Han is probably my favorite oolong they offer. Really well crafted considering the price. Sounds like this one can age a bit more, though. I aged one of YS’s dancongs that was a bit too roasted for 2 years in my closet. It’s incredible what can happen decent leaf is given the right environment.
Absolutely. I just had an experience with some liu bao from YS, which initially tasted just like dirt. After sitting around for a year and half, I decided to try it again – lo and behold! it has a great sweet earthy flavor and even some camphor notes to it. Either it changed or I did, or both, but either way, I’m glad I came back to it.
I should note really quick too – $7 for 25g of Wu Yi is really inexpensive. I’m just super cheap – and I like a lot of leaf with my Wu Yi teas. Anyway, thanks to Scott and YS for offering such great teas at bargain prices.
The YS Tie Luo Han is probably my favorite oolong they offer. Really well crafted considering the price. Sounds like this one can age a bit more, though. I aged one of YS’s dancongs that was a bit too roasted for 2 years in my closet. It’s incredible what can happen decent leaf is given the right environment.
Absolutely. I just had an experience with some liu bao from YS, which initially tasted just like dirt. After sitting around for a year and half, I decided to try it again – lo and behold! it has a great sweet earthy flavor and even some camphor notes to it. Either it changed or I did, or both, but either way, I’m glad I came back to it.
I should note really quick too – $7 for 25g of Wu Yi is really inexpensive. I’m just super cheap – and I like a lot of leaf with my Wu Yi teas. Anyway, thanks to Scott and YS for offering such great teas at bargain prices.