A ripe puerh I’d heard was an easy drinker. After a rinse, I started steeping at 10 seconds with 5 second intervals. However, any of my steeps longer than 20 seconds made the liquor too astringent/bitter for my liking.
The liquor is very thick and very dark. Even the rinse was darker than my other samples. I found notes of bread, molasses and earth throughout. I found it pretty uniform, with astringency/bitterness on the finish. There is a very heavy emphasis on the molasses; it’s uncanny how present it is. Luckily, there is no hint of the low-quality or ‘young’ ripe puerh aroma (fishiness).
After 5 or so steeps, it eases up pretty quickly, both in colour and flavour. Again, if steeped briefly, it’s intensity is less obvious and is rather manageable.
I’d say I enjoyed it overall. For those who like dark puerhs high in earthy sweet notes, you’ll enjoy Sloppy Jimbo. I wouldn’t quite grandpa-style brew it as suggested, but it can be easy drinking.
Flavors: Bread, Earth, Molasses
