SIPDOWN 78
Used 5 grams and 125 ml gaiwan.
I preheated gaiwan, spilled the loose leaf I had (it wasn’t chunk at all) and did 7 seconds long rinse. It brought me strong leather-tobacco notes, heavy woody as well. There are quite a lots of twigs as well.
First steep, 10 seconds
Thick liquor, herbal as Togo notices — not sure about pine, but possible. Camphor present for sure.
Second steep, 15 s
I have to downrate this tea for sure. 97 is truly too much. I dislike the aftertaste somehow, the sourness isn’t my thing today. Woody/piney aftertaste as well. Floral base.
Third steep 20 s
Wet forest floor, piney, a bit of sour notes as well.
Fourth steep 40 s
Now it gets that intended sheng profile. Well done. Camphor still quite well present, grainy and floral.
Fifth steep 60 s
Goes into sweet area. Nope, certainly not worth 97. But I liked it back then, now less… let’s keep it around 90 as average.
Flavors: Camphor, Forest Floor, Grain, Leather, Pine, Tobacco, Wet Wood
