Ancient/wild arbour puerhs that have impressed you

[bagua7]

I got this list from Yunnan Sourcing:

1. 2005 Yi Wu Ancient Arbor Large Leaf
2. 2004 Yong Pin Hao "Xiang Ming" Wild Arbor
3. 2009 Ma Hei Wild Arbor
4. 2005 Yong De "Early Spring, Old Tree"

Has anyone had an experience with any of the above?

Any other recommendations?

Cheers.

[nickE]

I'm not sure any of those are real Gushu or even arbor, but you never know.

However, I have tried that 2009 Mahei and like it very much, ancient arbor or not.

EoT's 2010 pressings are probably your best bet, seeing as Nada has pictures to prove it. Not to mention he is a very well respected vendor.

[bagua7]

EoT's 2010 pressings are probably your best bet, seeing as Nada has pictures to prove it. Not to mention he is a very well respected vendor.

Sorry, what is "EoT's" and do you have a link for Nada?

Cheers.

[AdamMY]

EoT's 2010 pressings are probably your best bet, seeing as Nada has pictures to prove it. Not to mention he is a very well respected vendor.

Sorry, what is "EoT's" and do you have a link for Nada?

Cheers.

Nada and EoT are the same place, EoT is Essence of Tea which was formally known as Nadacha.

[bagua7]

Thanks!

[heatwaves]

My favorite wild arbor from Yunnan Sourcing (although it's probably not actually wild or arbor) is the 2007 Mengku Wild Arbor King. He has a couple of other years available as well. But I think this one has the best value for the money. Just don't take all of the cakes, so I can continue to order them.

[ltannenbaum]

Hai Lang Hao's 2010 Ancient Arbor Lao Ban Zhang is amazing. Expensive, but worth every penny

[nickE]

Hai Lang Hao's 2010 Ancient Arbor Lao Ban Zhang is amazing. Expensive, but worth every penny

Hmm, I'd love to hear more about that. Would you mind writing up a quick review?

[bagua7]

My favorite wild arbor from Yunnan Sourcing (although it's probably not actually wild or arbor) is the 2007 Mengku Wild Arbor King. He has a couple of other years available as well. But I think this one has the best value for the money. Just don't take all of the cakes, so I can continue to order them.

Thanks. I have ordered 55 cakes.

Hai Lang Hao's 2010 Ancient Arbor Lao Ban Zhang is amazing. Expensive, but worth every penny

http://www.yunnansourcing.com/store/pro ... oduct=1377

Sure must be awesome. But Santa hasn't been friendly to me this Xmas.

[ltannenbaum]

Hmm, I'd love to hear more about that. Would you mind writing up a quick review?

After a quick rinse, I let my first steeping go about 30 seconds (which I am drinking now). App. 10 grams in a 250ml Yixing pot. Second will be for a minute with increasing 30 second steepings through 7-10 or until I get tired or so tea drunk I cannot continue

Liquor is slightly red, would say is is a heavy orange and very clear. Leaves are one bud and one leaf set. No stems and quite small in size.

Astringency - some
Smoke - some
Dryness-(mouth) - strong but followed by lots of salivating
Mouthfeel - heavy and long lasting
Hui gan - strong.
Flavor - For a really young pu, the flavor for me, is a high good, or a low excellent
Overall value - excellent - again for me. This tea has a profound effect on me. I have only had very old pu's that have left me feeling intoxicated, and the intoxication level for me on this is incredible (the best I have experienced). From the first cup to the last drop I feel like I am really high (and it has been 30 years since I have partaken )
Purchase again - absolutely - Only 84 cakes ever made. Tho, I doubt I will get more as I already purchased a few to hold on to.

I am enjoying a cup right now, so ho ho ho!

[ltannenbaum]

Sure must be awesome. But Santa hasn't been friendly to me this Xmas.

When Santa isn't good to you, be good to yourself! FYI. Only 8 cakes left!

[shah82]

Now, I wouldn't advise people to get that HLH LBZ, 'cause that's just too expensive (and there are plenty of LBZ at cheaper prices), but I *would* say that people tend to be really penny wise/pound foolish when it comes to puerh.

The high end stuff is dirt-cheap compared to high end greens, and a bit less dirt cheap (and as good oolongs are considerably more labor intensive...) high end oolong. It's just not going to stay that way for all that much longer.

Buy that $350 1993 cake at Nada/GenerationTea. It's never going to get cheaper, or even just inflate at a low rate. Buy a good XZH/YQH/reliable premium brand while they are relatively more available. Get decent 2000-2004 cakes while you can, because eventually all are going to have serious markups and the cheap ones left will be of poor quality.

Ltannenbaum, I've never considered LBZ to all that monstrous when it comes to young Qi. The YangQingHao Gusha Chawang that I just drank pretty much smacks from the very first flash brew sip. Many Lincangs, like XZH DinJin Nu'er is also going to have massive Qi. You can also try a sample of XZH HuangShanLin from Jas-eteas, which also has a very strong Qi. LBZ, to me, is about complex primary flavors and intense sweetness that lasts in the mouth.

[ltannenbaum]

Now, I wouldn't advise people to get that HLH LBZ, 'cause that's just too expensive (and there are plenty of LBZ at cheaper prices), but I *would* say that people tend to be really penny wise/pound foolish when it comes to puerh.

I agree. I also think that people who are looking to find a gem in the wild, are going to struggle doing so. Like a fine wine, the manufacturers know if they have a great pu. Why sell it cheap? I wouldn't and neither would you. All for the bettering of humanity..... I think not. China has opened its market and with it comes capitalism. As is so oftened mentioned here, if you like it and can afford it, then the price does not matter

The high end stuff is dirt-cheap compared to high end greens, and a bit less dirt cheap (and as good oolongs are considerably more labor intensive...) high end oolong. It's just not going to stay that way for all that much longer.

Buy that $350 1993 cake at Nada/GenerationTea. It's never going to get cheaper, or even just inflate at a low rate. Buy a good XZH/YQH/reliable premium brand while they are relatively more available. Get decent 2000-2004 cakes while you can, because eventually all are going to have serious markups and the cheap ones left will be of poor quality.

I haven't read much good about GenerationTea. I also find their prices to be significantly higher than my local shop for buying vintage pu-erh. You mentioned Nada, did you mean EoT instead? You make no mention of YSLLC as someone who supplies reliable premium brands. Is there some reason for this?

I do agree with you regarding acquiring good cakes while you can.

Ltannenbaum, I've never considered LBZ to all that monstrous when it comes to young Qi. The YangQingHao Gusha Chawang that I just drank pretty much smacks from the very first flash brew sip. Many Lincangs, like XZH DinJin Nu'er is also going to have massive Qi. You can also try a sample of XZH HuangShanLin from Jas-eteas, which also has a very strong Qi. LBZ, to me, is about complex primary flavors and intense sweetness that lasts in the mouth.

In my original post I was going to put a disclaimer about it being my tasting and my experience, but removed it in hopes I wouldn't be jumped. My bad. I have tried the XZH and for me, the experience was not even close. I will try to YQH however. As I drift into my happy place on my 4th infusion, I thank you.

[chrl42]

Hmmm..I love Mahei

BTW, is there real LBZ? I don't know..I heard a total crop of LBZ is 5 tons annually, but that Cantonese who monopolized LBZ farm distributed 40 tons this year, not to say he is about to face a bankrupcy soon..

Seems like one needs to watch from plucking to producing, and leaves pictures to enhance the security of LBZ today

[nickE]

Thanks for the review! I am liking this thread, lots of good info.

I haven't read much good about GenerationTea. I also find their prices to be significantly higher than my local shop for buying vintage pu-erh. You mentioned Nada, did you mean EoT instead? You make no mention of YSLLC as someone who supplies reliable premium brands. Is there some reason for this?

Yeah, Nada = EoT and vice versa. Also, I think Shah didn't mention YSLLC because Scott doesn't really sell anything aged, as he was talking about the 1993 7542.