Got a sample of this from someone’s stash, so no idea if this is the 2016 or 2015 or 2014. I’m guessing 2016 by the notes, though.
Leaves are standard gold green balls, very floral smelling which gives me some trepidation as someone not a fan of uber floral oolong. Put in a generous bottom layer to my 100 ml ruyao gaiwan anyway though, just off boiling water, prewarmed teaware.
My first impression on this in the early steeps is that cold, metallic, fruity taste that I see in TGY and other similarly oxidized oolongs not infrequently (and that I find myself quite liking), so that was nice. Liquor is a light gold and thick, smells a little more grassy and vegetal now. Opens up to some creaminess and more floral (sigh), although thankfully more honeysuckle than anything else (followed by… orchid. I think. There’s a lot of flower power going on in here), rather than the ever ubiquitous Jasmine I’ve come to detest. Ends on a lighter taste, grassy/hay undertone with emphasis on the florals and some increasing dryness and bitterness. Went for about five steeps.
Overall, pleasant enough, although not really something that stood out to me either.
Flavors: Creamy, Floral, Hay, Honeysuckle
