I have to agree with Yunnan Sourcing’s description for this one: at $33/400g, this is absolutely a decent price for any aged sheng, but this one is pretty decent for that, too. I have a 25g sample but wouldn’t object to curating a full two-pounder of this one.
Beautiful large leaves, dark before brewing but quite green after. Very nice cha qi. Unfortunately the nose is still out on hay fever, so all I can say is the aroma is not tobacco-ish, clearly aged (but not wet) and intriguing enough to hope for a revision on a better nose day. Age is in the flavour as well. Basically not bitter unless over-brewed. A balanced mix of hay, mushroom and flowery notes. I, too, concur on the ‘melon’ description, but mainly for its quenching qualities, not the sweetness.
Overall, I think, a gentlemen’s sheng, combining some old-family character with a well studied, agreeable behaviour. I’m still wondering whether I’m more of a dock worker when it comes to sheng myself, but it’s hard to take your own character flaws out on a gentleman like that.
Flavors: Floral, Hay, Melon, Mushrooms
