2000 Yunnan Hong Tai Chang, the 2 oz PS sample -
6 g brewed in 170 mL yixing.
15 sec rinse, flash, flash, 5, 15, 25, 40, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250 sec - 11 infusions.
Still a pleasant aroma after 5 infusions, liquor holding on nicely-
First 8 infusions tells me this tea has aged well. Aroma cup still offering intensity- starting to give more floral scent in place of toasted grain. High caffeine yet no bitterness or dryness. Flavor begins to thin.
Astringency - none
Smoke - not even a trace
Dryness- none
Mouthfeel - silky smooth and buttery
Hui gan - fleeting but pleasant
Flavor - roasted breadfruit, chestnut, yeast, flax/straw, dough.
Aroma - Sweet, balsam and dried cherry.
Overall value - 49$ a cake? No
Purchase again - The 2 oz sample is as far as I'll take this one.
Although I enjoyed this session, I had higher expectations. I prefer a tea with a bit more feistiness - this one yielded to easily. I will say however that this tea had an extremely refreshing quality to it - quite thirst quenching and filling. The first few infusions left a tingling on the tip of my tongue and the upper sides of the cheeks. My fiance passed by and had a cup around my 5th brew and said it tasted like "cornmeal"- which is just a weird thing to say about a tea.
Good tea, not amazing though.
