2 separate sessions, one yesterday and one today with different people over. 5.4g, 90mL gaiwan, Brita tap both.
The first session was from my sample from Liquid Proust, and the second was from edges of my cake. Both somewhat crushed up, but not dust. The LP sample session was a much better experience for whatever reason. Some decent florals and throatiness, slightly nutty sometimes, with some plummy notes and heat expanding and then dissipating in chest. sweet aftertaste and woody notes.
Mine felt dead by comparison. The first steep had a nice taste and aftertaste like a particularly sweet plum, but then it fell immediately downhill from there. Most steeps were totally bland, but once pushed, was slightly bitter and had some astringency.
Slight mushroominess at times from both, but not as strong as the Naked Yiwu displays.
A bizarre experience. Was quite disappointed by mine, but will give it some time and see if things change. Hong Yin is said to be an uplifting tea from what I’ve read, but I’m really bad at evaluating mood changes from teas, so no comment there.