2006 Loose Golden Leaf Imperial Pu-Erh

I was at work when I tried this. Had I read the description I might have waited until I could be more attentive to the infuzion. That said I may have over steeped this just a little. Luckily I have enough for another tasting so I can revise the note if needed.
As is common with pu’erhs dry leaf has a strong earthy smell, this one more aqautic (“fish, Dave…it smells like fish” is the reply my wife gives whenever I use that term for pu’erhs).Also common to pu’erhs is the dark color that quickly comes during infuse. Wet leaf smells like a pu’erh…
then came the difference. This pu’erh is sweet, like honey sweet. I’ve used the description of toothpaste for this flavor before, that hint of mint sweetness.As a sidenote; wife says I need to brush my teeth more when I drink pu’s, yet I say it taste like toothpaste=hows that work…anyway.
Also in the sweetness is a faint tart, like blueberries that are mostly sweet with a little tart. I detect a little toasty note in there too. There’s alot less earth or wood about this one. I would like to think it would be an ideal beginner pu’. My second steep was a tad astringent, but I chalk it up to being at work and poor steep management. Since I will taste it again I will close this one for now and will revisit soon.
tunes at time of writing-Laura Marling Dharohar Project=Anmol Rishtey/Meheri Rachi/To Darkness-Kripa/Devil’s Spoke-Sneh Ko Marg
Mumford&Sons appeares on. If you like Indian music like Ravi Shankar and Alla Rakha You’ll love it. If you’ve never tried it I encourage you to do so.

Powerful stuff, very earthy, nice texture, no subtleties wasted, straightforward and robust (feels like I’m praising myself, haha). This shu has it all, you want to go for a walk in the woods, after a heavy rain, without moving, drink this, it will take you places.

As the title to aptly describes this Pu-Erh, ‘Imperial’ – if I could drink a queen it would be this tea, regal yet-very commoner, the flowery, leather, fruitiness is the crown jewel bouquet of fine wine. If I had no friends…then, this would be my best.

SUPER dark and smooth and delicious! Also got great tasting reviews by my friend who had never drunk pu-erh before, so this is a good choice for an introductory tea. It can make at least 8 good steeps and is really just heavenly. It leaves a wonderful aftertaste and has great qi too.