2021 Lumber Slut

A nice robust daily drinker that trades blows with factory offerings in the value department.
It features some of the classic chocolate and vanilla robust ripe flavors, but with more of a focus on woody notes, like a spicy oak wood. There is also a slight smokiness and just a touch of pleasant basement funk on some brews. Some of the smokier brews made me think of a campfire or a scented candle. The leaves seem to indicate a high degree of fermentation.
Overall, a well-balanced ripe with a touch of something extra. Not as challenging as the edgy name might suggest.

A clean shou! I got this sample from my recent w2t order, and this tea really is an easy drinker. Beautiful leaves and liquor with a nice, complex aroma. Smooth and clean texture with a longevity that makes this tea last 15-20+ steeps. The flavour is clean and decent, but lacks complexity and nuance. This tea needs some work in the finish & aftertaste department, as well as the cha-qi department too. Overall, a really solid daily drinker especially at that price. A worth it tea.

It is probably a good thing I am not a pu er connoisseur. I’d need a room simply for displaying the wrappers. I might have to start. Oh, gosh. I don’t have proper storage. Stop that before it starts. But it’s difficult. This is a wonderful tea. Many unique notes. Much pu er. So wow. Noodles. Woody. Plywood. Cedar. Noodle water. I really like noodles so I quite enjoy this one. Turning to dark woods. Mahogony. Sticky rice leaves. The longer you steep it, as with pretty much every other Camellia Sinensis, the more the astringency unfolds. Mossy, decaying bark, big log.

Smooth mouth feel. No astringency.

Finish is woody with a feeling of the tongue stuck to the roof of the mouth.

Liquor color starts a clear, dark amber, changes to rosewood, and really thickens intensely to a final opaque umber.

Oh, my word that aroma. I love the smell of old houses. Not like grandma’s house but seriously old houses built from blood, sweat, and tears. Timber, earth, and some type of natural adhesive. Wow.

Geek Steep S2E15 – Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring

Gongfu!

Guys, I didn’t over think my pairing for this week’s fandom. As we talked in depth this episode, I truly believe that pretty much any tea you can possibly think of would be a good pairing for this fandom. It’s so big with so many different elements to it to connect a tea to and they all feel important and have their space to breath.

So, I grabbed a shou to gongfu and just dived right in. It works so well. Just beautifully earthy and robust in a way that feels like it’s speaking to either the deep mines and underground where the dwarves make their home or the magical forests that show up throughout. I had a great time steeping this tea while watching the movie – it’s honestly pretty perfect!

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXWp6zwuHuj/

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjpgJjdk52c