A crazy left-field question...!
I gave you only three options, just because I wanted to force the decision between the three. Actually, I'm more interested in thoughts on the Red Mark -- i.e. does it live up to the hype, sort of thing.
But I'm curious if those didn't peak your curiosity, what pu'erh you'd spend $350 on?
(and no, I've already spent enough on pu'erh this month, I'm not looking to buy any of those...... yet)
Close enough, and regardless of age it's a really tasty tea. The 1996 specifically. Orange in Orange or Green in Orange. I'm a big fan of all 7532's though, I've also had a 99 that was good, but too dryly stored to show a huge improvement. Give that one a few years and it might beat out the 96.TomVerlain wrote:the 1996 or just 7532 in general ?thanks wrote:A beeng of that 96 7532. I'm in love with the stuff.
Young 7542 and 7532 are pretty rough. Never tried a 7532 more than 2-3 years old.
1996 is not quite at the magic 7 + 7 years yet.
Apr 23rd, '09, 12:18
Posts: 529
Joined: Jul 23rd, '08, 17:07
Location: The Isle of Malta
I guess the inevitable wine analogy would be "do you want one bottle of a monster
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displ ... geid=13877
or 3-4 cases of something great?" The answer is, of course, both, but there's that little matter of reality which tends to creep into and rain upon such discussions.
Since I'd rather have 3-4 cases of a great first growth Bordeaux than a single legend, I'd go with the 7542.
I think the numbers I've presented are fairly accurate. A 10g sample, like a bottle of wine, is a single session, while a bing should suffice for 36-48 sessions, if you're lucky.
NB: If you try to spread that 10g sample over two 5g sessions, you deserve to have two lousy sessions.
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displ ... geid=13877
or 3-4 cases of something great?" The answer is, of course, both, but there's that little matter of reality which tends to creep into and rain upon such discussions.
Since I'd rather have 3-4 cases of a great first growth Bordeaux than a single legend, I'd go with the 7542.
I think the numbers I've presented are fairly accurate. A 10g sample, like a bottle of wine, is a single session, while a bing should suffice for 36-48 sessions, if you're lucky.
NB: If you try to spread that 10g sample over two 5g sessions, you deserve to have two lousy sessions.
I'd go for the 1996 7532...the tasting notes at the half-dipper really make me want to try at least a sample! 
The 1993 7542 doesn't sound as appealing to my palate...
That 10g sample of 50's pu-erh sure would be neat to try but $350 for a single session is just too much.
But I already spent $350 on a single tea this year. (it was a single bush dancong)
The 1993 7542 doesn't sound as appealing to my palate...
That 10g sample of 50's pu-erh sure would be neat to try but $350 for a single session is just too much.
But I already spent $350 on a single tea this year.
(it was a single bush dancong) Apr 23rd, '09, 16:57
Posts: 529
Joined: Jul 23rd, '08, 17:07
Location: The Isle of Malta
This has been really interesting, thanks for entertaining my question!
As Tony mentioned, that's partly what I was curious about -- if you'd go for one shot at one of the supposed best, or if you'd want more of something perhaps a not as good (on a relative scale).
As you might be able to tell, I picked three things roughly the same price. The Menghais go for about 200 BP (or 300 USD right now). And the 1996 is a Green in Orange, not an Orange in Orange.
I admit, I'm seriously tempted to try the Red Mark just for the experience.
But I'll ask an extremely naive question, so please be kind!
given Tony's statement -- I use a 150mL pot for older pu'erhs... which would amount to using 5g. What would be wrong w/ splitting a 10g sample into two sessions......?
As Tony mentioned, that's partly what I was curious about -- if you'd go for one shot at one of the supposed best, or if you'd want more of something perhaps a not as good (on a relative scale).
As you might be able to tell, I picked three things roughly the same price. The Menghais go for about 200 BP (or 300 USD right now). And the 1996 is a Green in Orange, not an Orange in Orange.
I admit, I'm seriously tempted to try the Red Mark just for the experience.
But I'll ask an extremely naive question, so please be kind!
given Tony's statement -- I use a 150mL pot for older pu'erhs... which would amount to using 5g. What would be wrong w/ splitting a 10g sample into two sessions......?