203 Tasting Notes
The last sample from my order from EoT. This one is decent, though one of my least favorite for shengs of this age. Can tell this one spent some time in HK.
Very smooth and with no bitterness or astringency. Barely any sweetness, if at all. Lasts 12+ infusions. Nothing wrong with this tea per say, but the storage notes are fairly lacking compared to it’s same-aged counterparts. That is what I want, and this tea has likely had too “clean” of storage since it’s days in HK to be the right one for me.
Flavors: Camphor, Dark Wood
Final tea from my TSR order. Been meaning to try this shou for awhile as it’s on the lighter side of fermentation and is well-loved. I don’t sample shou as much anymore, but I think for the price, this is really nice and I’ll probably have to get a tuo. I just need to try it a couple more times before making up my mind.
This one tastes and smells more distinct than many of the shous I’ve had. Fruitier and less earthy, with a more potent sweetness and more interesting nose. I quite like it!
Flavors: Dirt, Earth, Fruity, Plum, Smooth, Sweet, Wet Earth, Wood
From my first ever order from TSR. First tea I’ve tried from Haiwan, and the 200th tea I’ve reviewed!!! This one is super yummy! I think there is a lot going on here and it’s hard to untangle.
There’s a nice mouthfeel with ever so slight of an astringent note that keeps you pining for more. The sweetness is pretty good and it’s got a good lasting flavor. I need to try it one more time after a bit of a rest, but I am almost 100% positive I am buying a cake of this 7452 homage very soon (at an amazing price – $0.19/g!).
Flavors: Astringent, Fruity, Honey, Sweet
First order from The Steeping Room in Austin, TX. I didn’t expect greatness from this one, but I just thought it would be fun to give it a try. This is made by a private factory in an attempt to imitate one of my favorite recipes (or just, my favorite?), 8582. I can see what they are going for in the first few steeps and it does give some similar notes to an 8582 during that time. The next infusions have more astringency than the real thing, though it’s not overpowering and somewhat pleasant. However, this does not have the same hui gan or power as the real thing, so it doesn’t quite measure up in the end. Still a fun experiment, and a bit cheaper for sure than the real thing.
Flavors: Astringent, Fresh, Hay, Honey
This was a birthday gift from my parents, and boy is it good! Yamashita is an award winning producer of gyokuro and I can understand why! There’s not an off note in this thing and the power is amazing!
Super brothy with very thick mouthfeel and incredible theanine. An incredible tea that I am so glad to be able to taste! I will have to try this company’s other offerings.
Flavors: Broth, Marine, Salt, Seaweed, Umami
Next up is this one from 2012. It was given as a free sample. Quite an interesting sheng in terms of aroma of the dry and wet leaves, which give dates and, when wet, leather with barley.
Mouthfeel is nice and thick on this one. Very minimal hui gan. Starts out with a nice, subtle flavor, but falls off pretty quickly after 3-4 infusions. Fairly disappointing tea after a fun aroma.
Location: Dong Banshan, Mengku, Shuangjiang County, Lincang, Yunnan, China
Cultivar: Da Ye Zhong
Flavors: Dates, Leather, Roasted Barley
Another sample from my recent order. Wanted to round out the remaining middle aged puerhs from their catalogue. This one is described on the website as having tannin and peat flavors. I can understand the peat, and there is some astringency, but I would not say it is overpowering. Not a bad tea at all, but not the tea for me in the end.
Producer: Yunnan Liming Agro-Industrial Commercial Integrated Tea Factory
Location: Banpen, Menghai, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China
Name: Cloud mist remnant taste
Flavors: Apricot, Astringent, Peat, Smoke, Tannic
