1988 Taiwan Oolong

The Final Sipdown: Day

Oh? Sorry. I’ve been so caught up in TFS that I’ve forgotten I have other teas to log.

Mark, the fellow behind Cloudwalker Teas, sent me a few samples of tea to log about a week ago. I’m getting around to it a bit late, but here we are at one of three.

When I was little, I was obsessed with white grape juice. No clue why, but it had a flavor that I craved and whenever I had options, it was my poison of choice. I think my mom didn’t really mind because white grape juice doesn’t lend itself to staining. Now, I don’t find myself drinking it nearly as much as I used to. I don’t know if something about the way it’s made has changed, or simply my tastebuds have shifted, but I find it too sweet and the aftertaste strange.

This tea propels me back to my memories of white grape juice. Which really, at this point, is more of a diffused haze; the essence of white grape. It doesn’t possess the sharp sweetness that fruit juices typically do, but I prefer it this way. In fact, it is rounded off by a soft saltiness – a quality that is more apparent to me in the first steep than the second [because yes, I’m on a second steep]. At times, I get a sweetly whispering nectary flavor that reminds me oh-so-much of honeysuckle. In others, I sense an almost yeastiness half makes me think of bread and half of a soft pretzel. All of this is underpinned by the fresh, juicy notes of white grape and that comes rushing through in the finish and aftertaste.

There is a sophistication about this tea that makes me feel as though I should be drinking it out of a flute, but sipping it out of my little bodum mug it seems to be doing just fine.

Finding myself on steep number three now with the flavor holding up just fine has cemented in my mind that I will, in fact, be purchasing some of this to keep on my shelf. Having apparently grown myself out of my white grape juice phase, this is filling the white grape shaped hole in my soul.

Light, springy, satisfying, and delicious.

this is another nice offering from Cloudwalker. Of the samples I tried, I prefer the bold Cinnabar over this one as the flavor is a bit mild. It is not vegetative/toasty/floral but as the other reviewers noted: this tea has a tangy/tingly very mild grape juice flavor (if I squint my eyes or taste buds)….Others also noted woodsy flavor and even seaweed. I could even note those as well. A laid back oolong for multiple steepings throughout the evening. I am at the 5th steeping and although this is mild, I can still get a noticeable flavor)

Begins with a briny-sweet aroma and dark vegetal depth that translate into scintillating, oceanic flavors in the cup. The mouthfeel is wonderfully round and hui gan is sweet as nectar with notes of white grape and seaweed. The age adds swarthiness and structure and there is a noticeable warm, euphoric energy once imbibed.

Hypnotic and elegant, a nautilus of tea.

I drank this tea after a particularly smooth 30 year old wet stored pu erh. Needless to say, I was already feeling pretty frisky.

I haven’t had this particular tea in some time and forgot how complex its aromas are. After the first steep, I could smell a hint of charcoal smoke as it poured from teapot into tea pitcher, then as I raised the smelling cup to my nose for the first time… nothing… for just enough time to be confused before an explosion of nectarine, apricot, honey and wildflowers assailed my nostrils. The transition between each distinct aroma took a total of about 60 seconds, I think (didn’t have a stopwatch on hand). Then the flavours, a balanced fruit sweetness with a hint of nut, macadamia perhaps? As I continued drinking this tea, and it the steepings seemed to go on forever, I gradually slipped away from reality. The energy, though light, packs a pretty potent punch. If you’re looking to accomplish anything for the rest of the afternoon, forget it.

All around a well-balanced tea. Now to firmly plant my feet back on planet earth…