2017 Yunnan Sourcing "Gu Shu Bai Cha" Old Arbor Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake

Definitely the most dynamic young sheng I have tried. Steeped forever as well. Dry cup aroma last well into the session and actually lasted longer than any tea I’ve tried.

Just finished the sample of this tea. Enjoyed everything I’ve tried made from this varietal. It’s a unique tea for sure.

This tea started out a bit light and felt the need to push it for the first few steeps. Floral and a bit peppery with a somewhat light and sharp mouthfeel that goes into the throat. Not much bitterness or sweetness.

Middle steeps develop a rounder flavor and mouthfeel. Bit of huigan. Dry cup smell out of this world. Bitterness building pleasantly but no sweetness. Flavor very good, interesting and unique.

Later steeps I started to push this tea pretty hard and got some good bitterness which was followed by a pretty heavy astringency that almost overpowered the rest of the experience. Flavor still excellent. Shortened steep times but still got intense astringency. Still not much sweetness.

I guess I’ll just keep hitting it with water and see what happens…

Still later steeps. Finally the astringency gives way to a very clean bright soft sweetness. Wow what a nice way to end a session.

Like I said before. Dynamic. Surprised me several times. Just when I was feeling bored or overpowered with any aspect of the tea it would change up. Longest steeper I’ve encountered out of about 25 young sheng I have sampled so far, most of which are much more pricey.

Huigan overall is deep and present but not particularly strong.

Good balanced pleasant well rounded cha qi.

Definitely buying a cake.