A very smoky tea for it’s age (I thought). Quite enjoyable, although I tried it in the early spring and I think it would be more suitable for fall weather drinking.

Here are my notes from my first steeping. I did the session over two days at my desk and got 17 good steeps in:

Leaf: 6g
Brewing Vessel: 90ml Gaiwan

Rinse – 3s

1: 5s
Very smoky! Slightly astringent. Dry leaf has a ripe fruity smell. Something between apricot and pear.

2: 5s
Even more smoky… very interesting. I was not expecting this from a 5yr raw.

3: 7s
Less smoky, but still a big smoky aftertaste. A warm, vegetal mouth-feel. Still not fruity.

4: 8s
Much lighter now. Quite good, although not much sweetness. Has a very dry finish.

5: 10s
The smokiness is definitely in the background now. A warm flavor. This would be an excellent fall tea.

6: 11s
Very light flavor. Should have added more time. The vegetal flavors are really coming through more and there’s not much smokiness.

7: 15s
Very bitter. Not bad, though.

8: 15s
Much more of the sweetness. Tasting more like the raws I’m used to

9: 18s
(note from next day)Don’t remember, but it was probably good and I probably chugged it…

NEXT DAY

10: ~20s
Warm with sweet vegetal hints. Much lighter. Perhaps it will “wake up” after this and come back in strength for the next steeping.

11: 26s
Floral hints coming through. Vegetal taste and mouth feel. Wet leaf smell moving much towards apricot.

12: 39s
Very smooth. Still a light body. Not quite sweet yet, but there is definitely an idea or a hint of floral sweetness. Good viscosity. Dry finish. Overall, pretty flat steep.

13: 45s
Getting a very apricot / fruity sweetness now. Very good.

14: 70s
Wet leaf smelling a little flat now. Not nearly as much flavor remaining. Less viscous, but still decent body. A slight dustiness. A bit of dried fruit aftertaste.

15: 120s
Very smooth and sweet.

16: 180s
Delicious. Much sweeter and smooth.

17: 240s
Quite good still. Much more dry, but smooth and sweet. Hardly a hint (if any) of the smokiness remains, although there is somewhat of a pleasing earthiness hinted in the finish. I think I’ll call this the last steeping. I have to head out early today.

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Rated 5 Teas

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