I will inevitably be comparing this to the 2017 version of this tea, which I reviewed recently (and which seems to be sold out now).
The smell is sweeter and more fruity, but overall slightly weaker and less memorable than the 2017 one. It has some notes of roast meat and after late steeps also sauna. In the empty cup, I get a strong beeswax aroma, just like with the 2017 tea.
The taste is quite vegetal and bitter, but not astringent. I think it’s slightly less sweet than the 2017 version, but there is a strong honey flavour to it. I do also get pine note again, but it’s kind of general conifer like, maybe also reminiscent of spruce? Aftertaste is not so exciting, there is some dry grass flavour, as well as a general bitter and slightly sweet feel. It seems to be dying out somewhat fast, before some sweetness returns again.
Body is medium, and the mouthfeel I would mostly characterize as sticky, buttery and on the thicker side (considering the price). It induces a tingling sensation on the tongue. I feel that the cha qi might be stronger than from the 2017 version, although that’s very hard to tell, as I have only done a few sessions with each.
The price at the moment is 0.1$/g, which seems adequate to me. I don’t think I will be getting a cake, but it’s a decent tea without any obvious flaws overall.
Flavors: Bitter, Dry Grass, Fruity, Honey, Meat, Pine, Sweet, Vegetal, Wood
