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It has been 9 years since I first reviewed this tea. It has gotten even better, richer, more mellow, with integrated flavors , and it is delicious. Fruity and deep, this is a lovely cuppa.

In May 2020, this tea has mellowed (2013 pick), and the smokiness, tobacco flavor, and pleasant bitterness are more integrated than previously. Aroma in first cup is of orange and tobacco, with a touch of green vegetable, and it tastes much more seamless than it did as reflected in my previous note 5 years ago. The smokiness is pleasant and I can sense it in my sinuses. Quite interesting and it tastes pretty good. It does have a long, smoky aftertaste which is pleasant.

I enjoy this tea and its formerly bitter flavor has mellowed considerably over the years. There is a floral bamboo fragrance to the tea with hints of olive, and orange. There are also some foresty flavors as well. Kind of light bodied, it is nevertheless complex and flavorful. I see that Yunnan Sourcing has a 2019 version as of this writing.

In early 2020 this tea is lovely. Earthy, but with a mineral kick, it is quite mellow, and pleasant. No off odors or flavors, it just tastes good, and has a pleasant feel to it. The epitome of an “everyday” tea in the good sense that it is pleasant, enjoyable, easy, and does not require much of you other than enjoyment. Wish I had more.

This is a young sheng at this point (8/2015), and has fairly typical flavors, and although light, it is complex at the same time. It has a touch of bitterness which coexists with a hint of sweetness, and has an astringent mouthfeel that I think will mellow with time. I like this tea and will be interested in tracking it over time.

This is not a powerhouse tea, but one of subtlety and presence. It has a gentle fruitiness I associate with Yiwu, lovely large leaves, and is relaxing and contemplative. I am enjoying it.

Reasonably loosely compressed, attractive dark purple leaves, the tea brews a bit more copper colored than typical young shengs, and has an enjoyable smooth quality (in comparison to other purple leaf sheng I’ve had). Quite flavorful and an enjoyable cup.

Quite a lovely sheng. It brews a light orange color at this point (Jan. 2015), and has quite a fruity overtone of apricots/peaches. Later steeping reveal a touch of bitterness which turns to sweetness and a nice salivating effect. I like the tea.

This is an interesting tea! It has some camphor aromas that cleared up my nose, some black tea elements in the flavors, a touch of green bitterness which gives me an awakening sensation, and a touch of tannin to pucker my mouth. I can’t say it is delightful, but it certainly is interesting.