This was my first taste of a Yunnan, and I must say I’m pleased. Not over the moon, but certainly satisfied. The dry leaves smell of slightly fruity chewing tobacco. Not a sweet fruity like ripe melon, but more of a distinguished, earthy fruity like raisins or young whiskey. The taste is a mirror image of the smell, slightly robust with distant wine-like undertones. Perhaps a bit sweeter than you would expect, especially when it has cooled a little. It also has a pleasant malty flavor on the back-end that increases with brewing time. I find 4 minutes creates a perfectly mellow balance. At least for me. The look and texture remind me of slightly watered-down coffee, in the best way imaginable. Plenty of body and slight astringency make this a home-run for coffee drinkers searching for a softer alternative.
All in all, Yunnan Jig makes for a pretty enjoyable cup, and I could see it being a go-to, at least until I give some of the other Yunnan’s a go. And while my “first love” blacks such as Irish Breakfast and Earl Grey jerk me awake with blatant potency, I am quickly falling for the more delicate, sophisticated flavors of the Yunnan.
