So here we go...!
Here is the tea in the "horsie gaiwan" I got from Jing Tea (by the way, this is an incredible gaiwan...). The gaiwan is ~140mL and I put ~5g of tea into the gaiwan. The dry leaves look like the usual green oolong: tight pea-sized kernels, dark green, stems visible. Nice green aroma with fruity sweet overtones. Mmmm, can't wait!
Next up, here is a dark picture (grumble) of the leaves soaking in the gaiwan. This is toward the end of the 20s rinse, so the leaves have already opened up a fair amount.
Next, a picture of the first cup of tea (30 second brew time).
The aroma has a solid 'green oolong' aroma, with a grassy and sweet fruitiness to it. The liquor is a light yellow, clear. And the tea has a nice grassy green oolong taste... nothing "off," nice mouthfeel, and a strong, lingering aftertaste. Very nice.
Below, we have a picture of the second cup (also 30 second brewtime), with an example of one of the leaves. Mmmm. This cup was stronger than the first all around and was quite nice.
Next we have an example of why I try not to use a flash too much. Though the leaves look really succulent, I have to say...
Here's a less-blinding version...
Finally, my last cup (the 6th cup), with some more pictures of the leaves...
In all, I enjoyed 6 cups out of this tea, and I probably could have gotten another couple of cups. My infusion times were (20s rinse, then 30s, 30s, 45s, 60s, 120s, 5m).
I enjoyed the tea throughout the sequence.
But here will be where my lack of experience with oolongs will show. I am not sure what qualifies this tea to be so expensive. I suppose I might have experienced a level of vibrancy that I haven't before, but it has been awhile since I've had some other green oolongs.
I would probably have to do a side-by-side comparison with something like Adagio's Ali Shan in order to understand what the difference is...
In fact, I went ahead with a zhangshu lake oolong the next day (which is half as expensive), and enjoyed it as much. So... chalk this one up to newbie-ness, I suppose -- don't get me wrong, it's a great tea, and the quality of the leaves shows post-brew, but... I suppose my palette isn't refined enough yet to tell the difference?
In any case, thanks for the experience! There should be enough left for geeber and maybe even the person after to enjoy it as well.
that there is none left for the next person to receive the pass