This Xiaguan cake, shu or sheng?

One of the intentionally aged teas, Pu-Erh has a loyal following.


Apr 3rd, '12, 00:45
Posts: 95
Joined: Jun 17th, '11, 13:58

Re: This Xiaguan cake, shu or sheng?

by G-off-re » Apr 3rd, '12, 00:45

shah82 wrote:I would disagree that the 2003 is only slightly better looking.

Of course, the lighting *is* an issue, but seriously, zoom those suckers. In my very abbreviated experience, even 90's sheng that has been well-treated isn't as devoid of a certain tint and gloss as this cake seems to be. Not the most horrible cake I've ever seen, but definitely not one I'd ever consider without sampling


Bad photos are an issue. If we keep the comparison solely on this site than this cakes looks similar to other teas listed as raw that also share the same photo issues.

Apr 3rd, '12, 00:54
Posts: 1274
Joined: May 9th, '09, 15:59

Re: This Xiaguan cake, shu or sheng?

by shah82 » Apr 3rd, '12, 00:54

Ehh...

Well, I've had things like

2003 Bada
2001 YYX thick papered
2004 Changtai Jinfengyuan
1987 8582
1996 Little Yellow Mark
1996 Orange Mark 7532
1997 Henlichang
1993 7542

They were all from good places, and none of them tasted bad--I *liked* all of them, actually. However, they really don't compare that favorably with drier stored tea, like a 1998 7542 sample. They don't compare favorably with lightly wet-stored teas like 2003 Dayi Bulang or 2001 Simplified 7542. Some of the above, like the Orange Mark, 2003 Bada, or 2001 YYX, I'd buy if the price were right. Others are far too expensive for me to ever think of buying, like the 1993. I'm just not a bitter-phobe, and I'm quite content to accept it for dynamic flavor. Puer is something I think of, as fun to drink, and not comforting or tonic-like.

User avatar
Apr 3rd, '12, 01:03
Posts: 2061
Joined: Mar 15th, '06, 17:43
Contact: MarshalN

Re: This Xiaguan cake, shu or sheng?

by MarshalN » Apr 3rd, '12, 01:03

shah82 wrote:Ehh...

Well, I've had things like

2003 Bada
2001 YYX thick papered
2004 Changtai Jinfengyuan
1987 8582
1996 Little Yellow Mark
1996 Orange Mark 7532
1997 Henlichang
1993 7542

They were all from good places, and none of them tasted bad--I *liked* all of them, actually. However, they really don't compare that favorably with drier stored tea, like a 1998 7542 sample. They don't compare favorably with lightly wet-stored teas like 2003 Dayi Bulang or 2001 Simplified 7542. Some of the above, like the Orange Mark, 2003 Bada, or 2001 YYX, I'd buy if the price were right. Others are far too expensive for me to ever think of buying, like the 1993. I'm just not a bitter-phobe, and I'm quite content to accept it for dynamic flavor. Puer is something I think of, as fun to drink, and not comforting or tonic-like.
I don't know where these are from and what condition they're in, so it's very hard to judge. There are at least one or two of these that are either no good or very hit or miss though. For the record, I'm not an advocate of swimming pool storage.

User avatar
Apr 3rd, '12, 21:07
Posts: 1936
Joined: May 22nd, '06, 11:28
Location: Trapped inside a bamboo tong!
Contact: hop_goblin

Re: This Xiaguan cake, shu or sheng?

by hop_goblin » Apr 3rd, '12, 21:07

There appears to be 'down'. I have yet to have a shupu with this characteristic. I would say it is shengpu.

User avatar
Apr 5th, '12, 00:33
Vendor Member
Posts: 510
Joined: Mar 19th, '12, 02:49
Location: Frequently Moving Around
Contact: TwoDog2

Re: This Xiaguan cake, shu or sheng?

by TwoDog2 » Apr 5th, '12, 00:33

Seems most people are coming down on the sheng side so far, but I really think it is tough to tell, given the quality/size/lighting in the pics. I have not personally had experience buying with them, but good luck and let us know how it is (if you get it)

User avatar
Apr 5th, '12, 01:57
Posts: 113
Joined: Jul 29th, '11, 10:48
Location: Singapore, Malaysia

Re: This Xiaguan cake, shu or sheng?

by HifideliTea » Apr 5th, '12, 01:57

Drax wrote:I think that this is an example of one I *miiiight* gamble a purchase of 1 on (what is it, $70 USD?) but I'm not rushing to do so.

I've only made one purchase from skip4tea in the past. Good experience, though.

I thought I remembered somebody saying that if you were in the area, you could drop by to sample -- I realize you aren't, but there are others on this board who are....
I am in KL this week, called the number listed but no one seems to be picking up the phone, sent an email but has yet to receive a reply. Perhaps it's Ching Ming and they're off for the week. Will plan to make a visit but only of the store is open as I do not want to drive all the way there for nothing.

User avatar
Apr 5th, '12, 06:41
Posts: 2794
Joined: Oct 16th, '08, 21:01
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Arlington, VA
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact: Drax

Re: This Xiaguan cake, shu or sheng?

by Drax » Apr 5th, '12, 06:41

Ooh, that'd be cool, thanks, KC! I hope the timing works out....

User avatar
Apr 5th, '12, 09:55
Posts: 682
Joined: Mar 10th, '11, 08:17
Location: on top of a mountain.

Re: This Xiaguan cake, shu or sheng?

by gasninja » Apr 5th, '12, 09:55

Yeah KC let us know what its like take pics if you can. Really curious what there store looks like.

User avatar
Apr 7th, '12, 22:45
Posts: 113
Joined: Jul 29th, '11, 10:48
Location: Singapore, Malaysia

Re: This Xiaguan cake, shu or sheng?

by HifideliTea » Apr 7th, '12, 22:45

I have had no luck in contacting the owners, no one's answering, no email replies. I'm leaving KL soon.
Sorry JakubT that I can't help much.

Apr 8th, '12, 00:22
Posts: 1634
Joined: May 24th, '10, 00:30
Location: Malaysia

Re: This Xiaguan cake, shu or sheng?

by auhckw » Apr 8th, '12, 00:22

KC Lam wrote:I have had no luck in contacting the owners, no one's answering, no email replies. I'm leaving KL soon.
Sorry JakubT that I can't help much.
I rarely get to catch them in their office. Always not open, cause they do online business more than walk in customers.

You can try your luck by calling them at 2pm onwards during the weekdays.

Apr 10th, '12, 10:24
Posts: 164
Joined: Jan 4th, '12, 02:51
Location: Prague

Re: This Xiaguan cake, shu or sheng?

by JakubT » Apr 10th, '12, 10:24

KC Lam: Hello. Thank you so much for trying to contact them directly. It is no problem that they were not present...

Thanks a lot everyone for your thoughts. When I get more money, I'll order it and let you know what I think of it...

+ Post Reply