304 Tasting Notes

Reviewing this tonight as the Chairman has a week off. I broke out 10 grams of this to start with. I impressed myself as the first piece weighed in a 10 grams off the bat. My measuring and judgement on weight is getting better.
I gave this a 20 second wash and have let it sit for about 20 minutes to open up a bit.
First steep 10 seconds.
Color almost Lipton like dark.
Aroma, a little left of the fermented type.
Taste, some wood, a little raisin and almost prune or date in there. Nice and warming on a cold rainy night. I have been on a lot of sheng lately and this is a decent change of pace. probably not as deeply fermented as some to allow it to progress, but with the light fermentation it should progress nicely.

Flavors: Dates, Raisins, Wood

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 15 sec 10 g 10 OZ / 295 ML
SarsyPie

Sounds yum to me!

MzPriss

mmmmmmm

mars1

20 minutes? I usually give it a raw puerh a 5 second rinse before steeping but 20 minutes is more than I expected. Do you only do the 20 minutes for ripe puerh? Any advice to how I should my puerh to get the most out of it, based on your experience? Thanks.

mars1

(should steep my puerh) yes, I’m clumsy at typing at times.

mrmopar

Oh not a 20 minute wash . I just wash it and pour out the first steep/wash and then I leave it in the dry pot to allow the residual steam and moisture to keep opening up the chunk. I guess it is like letting a piece of grilled meat. Always let it rest before cutting. Same idea with the tea. Soak it in the pot and dump it and rest it before the first real brew.

Cwyn

I rest it a little too if it is a chunk, otherwise the first brew is like nothing. I also let the first brew rest a bit in my cup to get the heat dissipated a bit so my first sip tastes like something instead of a blast of boil.

SimpliciTEA

I appreciate the comments. I will have to keep in mind the part about letting the tea leaves rest after being rinsed; I also appreciate that you both gave reasons why you do it.

yssah

from berylleb?

mrmopar

Berylleb carries this one.

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Thank you Google for eating my notes and all my open tabs!
I got this one out to review as I have wanted to get into it and a couple of friends were interested also.
I pulled it out to chunk off a bit and was surprised that it broke off easily. Most XiaGuan “Iron Cakes” are tough to get into. It broke off easily and I got I got my measure of pretty easy. I guess the pumidor may be working.
I gave a 10 second rinse and let the leaf sit for about 10 minutes to start brewing. It brews a nice deep golden color. It still has some of the smoke and punch of a somewhat younger tea but a deeper color.
It carries a good bit of bitter but in a nice way for me. Some hints of smoke and astringency but not in an overpowering way. It reminds me somewhat of another cake from about 2007 that I enjoyed.
Will it give you that nice Cha Qui?
A bit but not too strong. Huigan a bit. Nice notes of subdued smoke and camphor a little pucker of citrus in there as well.
Nice and aging well I think.

Flavors: Bitter, Citrus, Smoke

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 15 sec 10 g 10 OZ / 295 ML
Cwyn

Nice, thanks so much! What do you think of the leaves? Does it seem rather chopped or anything whole in there? I’ve never seen the actual cake of this one.

mrmopar

I think this will continue to be a good performer in the future. Second steep nice as well.

mrmopar

There are some chopped but the iron cakes are always hard to break properly.

DigniTea

Interesting comments. Thanks for taking a look at it. Sounds like I’m better holding on to mine for awhile before tackling it. For me all Xiagun are tough to pick apart with their typically tight compression.

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90

Breaking this out in remembrance.
Listed by the vendor as outstanding floral, sweet soft and creamy with a intense huigan.
lots like a man who passed last night. Soft and smooth, not creamy but always pleasant and a intense strong man who loved his wife and children and nieces, nephews and grand children with a soft but strong love.
The floral and pleasant notes with the good tea buzz on the tongue are very reminiscent of the man I drink in honor of. Soft and strong at the same time. Like a whisper at many times and like a storm in his strong and faithful love for his family.
A special tea that I raise a cup to for a special man.

Flavors: Floral, Sugarcane, Sweet

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 15 sec 10 g 10 OZ / 295 ML
ashmanra

What a friend he must have been. So sorry for your loss.

boychik

Sorry for your loss

Terri HarpLady

Sorry to hear of this person passing, but he sounds like someone special, to be worthy of this dedication.

looseTman

A truly poetic tasting note that honors a dear friend with an analogy that compares his character to that of an exceptional sold out pu’erh. Quite a tribute especially coming from “mrpu’erh”. I too am very sorry for your loss mrmopar.

yyz

What a beautiful tribute, I’m sorry for your loss.

MzPriss

This is a lovely tribute mrmopar.

mrmopar

Thanks, services are this weekend so may be off a day or so.

DigniTea

Lovely sentiment expressed my friend – classy way to pay tribute to a special loss. We’ll miss your active presence and stand ready to welcome you back.

NofarS

I’m so sorry for your loss. Your tribute to him is beautiful and touching. May the bitterness of the loss mellow out over time to memories of good times shared, just as pu’erh does.

Rich

Just drank this yesterday, during my week of hospice care for my father in law. My best to you.

Tea Pet

I’m so sorry for your loss, mrmopar

mrmopar

Thanks you all this means a lot. You are a great bunch of people I am fortunate to know.

AllanK

I too am sorry to hear about your friend.

fyrefly1981

I’m sorry for your loss. may you remember him every time you drink this tea and others like it.

mrmopar

Thanks fyrefly1981 and AllaK much appreciated. I will miss him and hope his wife will know she will se him again.

yssah

it is a beautiful tea to remember his life with. hugs from across the Pacific

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I am cheating tonight and taking an easy way out in the cup. Long days take the toll on time. I pulled this out to try again. I didn’t put anything other than a mental note on it last time. It breaks off in about 8 gram chunks from the square brick. I gave it a good 20 second rinse and let it set about 20 minutes.
First steep of about 20 seconds, I actually do 3 steeps for my cup. It takes a while to even color the water well. It is a bit cloudy in the cup. More sweet than astringent as the last time. Pale yellow/gold color. It has aged a bit in the pumidor a tad bit darker in the brew and the brick.
Not terribly punchy or strong but more like a green tea. Small lea so definitely a plantation bush. I did see a couple of whole leafs in there although small and most were chopped to make pressing easier. A decent tea yes , not as good as the others I have drank lately but acceptable. I guess the convenience factor in the little squares you break off can make it worth it sometimes.
A little bit of fruit almost like a slight ripe banana and a semi-sweet finish.
Nice convenience factor.
.

Flavors: Sweet

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 15 sec 8 g 10 OZ / 295 ML

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88

As promised better late than never. I tasted this a couple of days ago after a long work day and was unable to give it the credit for it.
I went 10 grams 10oz. my preferred method, gong fu.
I gave a wash for about 5 seconds and went with it. It has good leaf size in whatI put in the gaiwan. It is somewhat darker than a newly pressed cake. It carries a nice hit of bitter and a sweetness combined. It is a bit floral tossed in there as well. Fantastic in the bit of punch it brings to the table. Six steepings later and it is still very nice. A bit stronger than the repave cake but nicely along the lines with some of the “aged” taste to it. This will give the tongue tingle and state of relaxation that slowly creeps up on you.
Very nice and solid tea.
A touch of astringency that fades quickly.

Flavors: Bitter, Floral, Sweet

Preparation
Boiling 0 min, 15 sec 10 g 10 OZ / 295 ML
Cwyn

Good review! This one is next up for me, will be using about 1/2 that amount of water.

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85

Broke this one out as directed by Chairman Meow. The Chairman “pawed” and pointed this out tonight for me to try.
I got out 10 grams and let the Chairman approve of it and in the Gaiwan it went. I gave a quick rinse before starting. The aroma was nice and very sweet an fruity. I can’t really describe which one but very nice. I did 5 second steeps on this one. The liquor is a medium yellow level of darkness. It has a nice aroma to it. The brew has a bit of bitter bite and astringency to it but not overpowering. Not a lot of discernible smoke as in the vendor’s description. It does creep up on you and give a semi-sweet and pleasant bitter to it.
Multi- faceted in terms of flavor notes. maybe a bit more complex than my taste buds. Pleasant and very reasonably priced for a 5 year old tea. I think I should have bought more than a sample.

Flavors: Astringent, Bitter, Honey, Sweet

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 15 sec 10 g 10 OZ / 295 ML
SarsyPie

I can’t wait for my Tea Urchins to get here! I didn’t pick this one, but it does sound good!!!

JC

Sounds nice, the way you described it makes it sound calming or ‘relaxed’ enjoyment.

TeaBrat

Teaurchin looks like a great company. I wish they sold samples!

MzPriss

They do sell samples, but shipping is $20!

mrmopar

Yeah I purchased a couple of cakes and got the samples added in.

SarsyPie

MzP: if you want to try something, I can send you the list of teas I got :)

MzPriss

I <3 you so much Sarsy.

Terri HarpLady

I’ve got a few samples here from Tea Urchin that Stephanie sent me. I’m looking forward to trying them soon!

Stephanie

TeaUrchin is great! I’ve been super impressed.

Sammerz314

Sounds very good indeed hehe

TeaBrat

Ah, you’re right I see they do sell samples but $20? for shipping? wow

mrmopar

Yeah any one ordering should get a “pool” together to offset the shipping costs.

Terri HarpLady

I’d be into that :)

Jiāng Luo

Is this something you owe a cake of or a sample?

mrmopar

This was something I ordered as a sample. Jiang Luo. I wish I could have gotten a cake from them.

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88

Chaiman Meow picked this one 2 times in a row and the chairman knows best. I broke off 10 grams and separated what I broke off into mainly full leaves as this is compressed lightly. I used the Gaiwan also per the chairmans pick on the brewing vessel. I gave a good 5 second rinse to wake everything up. The wet leaf had a touch of ’mustiness" that most teas this age exhibit.
It gives bit of the floral and citrus along with sweetness and an almost caramel touch to it. It also gives the tongue tingle that most older quality teas give. Really nice, not too harsh astringent or bitter considering its age and origin. A really nice one done here. If this is “middle of the road” I think it does a good job.

Flavors: Caramel, Citrus, Floral, Sweet

Preparation
10 g 10 OZ / 295 ML
Cwyn

well said!

MzPriss

mrmopar – you have a Chairman Meow too? I think Sarsonator’s cat is also named that – and I LOVE that name for a kittie

mrmopar Sarsonator pegged my kitty as Chairman Meow. So I stole it from here.
SarsyPie

Oh my. I don’t know if the world is ready for two Chairman Meows! What if they decide the Earth isn’t big enough for the both of them!?! It could be war, people!!!! LOL

It’s funny that your Chairman picked this one, mrmopar. I’ve been thinking about placing an order with White2 and I wanted to try this! I guess if the Chairman has spoken, I really can’t refuse. All hail the kitty overlord! :)

MzPriss

I love the Kitty Scratch Method.

MzPriss

mrm – did you know that Sarsy has become a raging sheng-head?

SarsyPie

Kitty tea randomizer!!! LOL. What’s not to love? :p

It’s true, I have. I’m currently staring at the Yunnan Sourcing site trying not to click “place order”

MzPriss

I ordered a buttload of samples from them and I had to trim my list way back because it was outrageous

SarsyPie

I wish the shipping wasn’t so high. But they don’t have everything I want on the us site.

MzPriss

Yeah the China site is the one for me too. But my stuff came really quick and I only paid $2 more. And I got a purple yixing. Happy.

SarsyPie

Blah. Shipping is half the cost on the us site. Maybe I’ll just buy less.

Cwyn

Plus the package shows up faster, he uses Priority in the US. I always check there first for something before the China site. Trying not to hit Place order for 4 orders of the Wild Purple Dehong black tea.

boychik

you can “play” with shipping. the more you order the shipping kinda stops. so usually i say to myself $20 is max for the ship. and I keep adding to the cart. i think that China site is more economical overall. and better selection. but i try to wait for sales. the discount sometimes equal to free ship. and dont forget you earn loyalty vouchers

Roughage

I do the same, boychik. I keep adding until the shipping tips over my limit and then I remove enough to bring it back down. Then I will try adding samples up to the maximum weight to get best value for money from the shipping. I’m based in the UK, so I don’t worry too much about comparing China with the US site.

SarsyPie

I just made this and I adore it. Chairman Meow absolutely does know best!

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80

Working 10 grams of this up in the Gaiwan to see how it does. This is the oldest Menghai Spring that I have that was purchased as a set of samples from Finepuerh. They seem to another pretty good seller in the market. Their packaging and labeling was really nice.
Enough about them and now to the tea. I picked this one after Scratch the kitty tea randomizer picked the White2Tea Amerykah 3 times in a row! I don’t think I can do that tonight and work tomorrow.
Wet lea still has the green scent with a little wisp of smoke in there. brew is a little darker than the 2008 cake I had a couple of days ago. This has evened out into a sweet brew without much bite or astringency to it. Honey and flowers in aroma and taste to this one. it is a little unassuming compared to the tea I had earlier in the day. Smooth and mellow would be the notes on this. Not much vibrancy or punch but an easy drinking brew.

Flavors: Floral, Honey, Smoke

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 15 sec 10 g 10 OZ / 295 ML
awilsondc

you’re gonna have to explain the Scratch the kitty tea randomizer part…

MzPriss

Yep – inquiring minds want to know about Scratch the kitty…

mrmopar

I just bring in 2 packs or cakes of tea and what she paws out at is the one I drink.

MzPriss

My dogs would just slobber on them and try to eat them

SarsyPie

I wonder if Chairman Meow wants to pick my tea from now on… I gotta at least try!

Cwyn

LOL now that pun is appropo…

yssah

maybe Scratch likes the packaging coz it’s so colorful? lol

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85

Breaking this one out after one of these long work days. They are terrible and don’t leave a lot of hours to drink tea.
I did 10 grams in the Gaiwan to start out. A quick rinse and 3 5 second steeps into the fair cup. The brew is crystal clear in the cup. No cloudiness at all. A little touch of grape in the aroma and the first sip is “Bang” a large hit of the bitter as noted on a previous review and a nice mouthfeel to this one. This has one of the hardest bitter punches I have experienced. It gives a slight touch of faint sweetness in there after plowing through the bitter. Some hints of pine and flower in there.
Nice and strong as this one will punch you in the buds. You will have to enjoy the strength of the bitter it brings to truly enjoy this one with the good Ku Wei and Hui Gan.
Strong and powerful balanced a bit more to the bitter side but enjoyable.

Flavors: Bitter, Pine, Sweet

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 15 sec 10 g 10 OZ / 295 ML
Sammerz314

One word, Turpentine LOL!

mrmopar

Yeah it is stout even with very short steeps.

yssah

yikes. isnt there a clue for telling when a tea is violent still?

mrmopar

I wish I knew. The only way I know is to brew it.

fidgetiest

I just got a sample of this to try, and I’m not really getting much bitterness at all! It’s fascinating reading reviews from just a few years ago and seeing how different they are from my experience now.

mrmopar

@fidgetist, I may have a sample left around here somewhere. I may need to pull it out.

Alexander

@fidgetiest I have a Bing of this one and it’s still really bitter (at least for a LME) – not as much as the 2012 EoT Bulang for example stil if steeped heavy it’s really nice :)

fidgetiest

Oh, interesting. It may just be that I have a high tolerance for bitterness, then.

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89
drank 1989 Suncha Blend by Butiki Teas
304 tasting notes

Broke this out to brew tonight. The dry leaf in my nose seems to be of cantaloupe or honey dew melon. It is very nice and not with any off notes.
I gave it a very quick rinse and off we go. To be honest this is my second day on this tea. I was a little busy to post about it on the first day. I did make notes though. I really like this blend of sheng and shou. It gives a little sharp note of the sheng just for a moment and then the smooth and creamy shou comes in. It has a little of that wood and smoke and then a hit of the raisin and sweetness on the backnotes. This is very smooth and I think the balance is nice. Pine , sweet , oak and the nice sweet of a nice shou enter into this one. Nice and balanced . Sharp from the sheng for a moment and sweet from the shou after. Nice and wonderful blend.
Gong fu style in the yixing. Complex and wonderful.

Flavors: Oak, Pine, Raisins, Smoke, Sweet, Wood

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 0 min, 15 sec 10 g 10 OZ / 295 ML
SarsyPie

This one sounds fun! I haven’t tried a ripe/raw pu’erh blend yet.

awilsondc

Sounds nice! My favorite thing about sheng/shou mixes is that each session is different. Sometimes you get more sheng, sometimes you get more shou. Keeps things interesting… I’ll have to put this one on my wish list!

Cwyn

I wanna know which tea puts you on the floor tea drunk.

yssah

oooh. a blend! curiouser and curiouser! i wonder what will happen if you mix 2 separately brewed pu? will it work similarly?

mrmopar

Yeah, Dayi did a shou with some sheng mixed in a couple of years ago.

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