Competition Grade Three Plum Flower Dong Diing Oolong Tea

Thanks AllanK for including this in our swap.
I was just drinking a 2014 winter crop green oolong from Beautiful Taiwan Tea Company before this which is a nice comparison. This oolong is what I would consider to be brisk. The bitterness overtakes the sweetness, but it is a darker oolong which makes it acceptable. If it was a tieguanyin with these bitter notes I would rate it low, but it it is not. There is something about this tea that is enjoyable, but at the same time there is something about it that makes it a sipping tea versus a drinking tea.
I wish the honey came through more. This oolong should be brewed quickly, leaving it in for 3 minutes makes it a bit too strong for my liking. Two minute steeps seem to work for me. The is nice and dark after many brews and has a funky smell, but the taste stays strong.

This is an excellent oolong that lives up to the phrase “competition grade”. It is slightly sweet and slightly bitter, but it is bitter in a good sort of way. It has some of that characteristic oolong flavor common in Dong Ding oolongs but it is not overwhelming. It might be described as a musty flavor but I don’t know if that is right.There is also a mild honey flavor to this tea. This is is the first time I gave this the full gongfu treatment.

I brewed this four times in an 180ml celadon teapot. I used 190 degree water and 5g of leaf. I brewed it for 15 sec, 15 sec, 25 sec, and 35 sec. This was without a doubt one of the best oolongs I have ever drank.