So I brewed up about 7 grams in a 100ml gaiwan at about 210f. Two customary rinses to get the funky junk of the pile off. This tea has lost that fermented smell and wasn’t funky at all. I see some reviews saying it is fishy but I imagine these are older tastings and this tea has had time to mellow out. I did quick steeps at first at about 5-8 seconds. I find this ripe to be a light smooth mouthfeel but not lacking at all. I brewed a bit heavy to see what it had. I noticed a really nice caramel flavor or honey sweetness on the back end. It has the traditional coffee-esque bite that a good ripe has. Definitely a good morning tea. A medium energy to this one. Not too strong, not too weak. It didn’t give a ton of infusions like some other ripes but gave enough to enjoy. Not a bad tea. More age will make it even better.
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That old funk mellows over time pretty well.
Yeah I’m finally starting to see that with some of my teas. Thankfully time is on our side with the funk!!
Yes. I rarely drink any shou under 2 years age. Just sit on it and let it get better.
Yeah I am the same. I have tried some newer ripes and they were undrinkable to me. A 2015 Menghai V93 is one to be specific. Tho I did try it again months later and it has mellowed some already. Should be good with more time.
The 2008 and 2009 V93’s are peaking out now in my collection.
Nice. They get a bit pricey when I see those for sale. Gotta pay for age tho I guess.
Buy early grasshopper!
mrmopar is a wise man and worth heeding.
The 2009 version of the Yi Dian Hong is very good right now. I also laid in some of the 2012 when it was cheaper, hoping it becomes nearly as good as the 2009 in a few more years (perhaps around 2018-2020).
That old funk mellows over time pretty well.
Yeah I’m finally starting to see that with some of my teas. Thankfully time is on our side with the funk!!
Yes. I rarely drink any shou under 2 years age. Just sit on it and let it get better.
Yeah I am the same. I have tried some newer ripes and they were undrinkable to me. A 2015 Menghai V93 is one to be specific. Tho I did try it again months later and it has mellowed some already. Should be good with more time.
The 2008 and 2009 V93’s are peaking out now in my collection.
Nice. They get a bit pricey when I see those for sale. Gotta pay for age tho I guess.
Buy early grasshopper!
mrmopar is a wise man and worth heeding.
The 2009 version of the Yi Dian Hong is very good right now. I also laid in some of the 2012 when it was cheaper, hoping it becomes nearly as good as the 2009 in a few more years (perhaps around 2018-2020).