Recent lot/blend (9/2017). Short brews. Seems to brew dark, not opaque but 15 seconds was plenty of time to get good extraction for the first couple pours. Starts woody, flavors of potting soil, loam, fresh tree bark, with some sappyness, not sweet but rich, with a thick liquor. A lot of forest floor wo dui but not the smoke aspect that loose leaf commodity shu can have. Cert. Organic which is nice. Neither the best nor the worst, a totally acceptable, pleasant, prototypical tea. As others have noted, this is not the single best vintage stored in the absolute best conditions, that is out there if you want it, but if you are open to trying teas, learning brands, experiencing tea as it is, this is a good shu for the money. Great shu for meals.
Flavors: Barnyard, Forest Floor, Fur, Loam, Mushrooms, Sap, Tobacco, Wood
