TN: 2005 Haiwan Lao Tong Zhi Beeng

You may enjoy reading Jason's review of this tea. He is particularly knowledgeable about pu-erh and it's always fun to compare notes. I have this tea, as well, but have not opened it, as yet. Here's the Jason link:

You may enjoy reading Jason's review of this tea. He is particularly knowledgeable about pu-erh and it's always fun to compare notes. I have this tea, as well, but have not opened it, as yet. Here's the Jason link:

Jason's note is for a cooked cake - mine's raw. There is another TN for a Haiwan raw cake, but I can't see it for some reason.

Dean

Here it is: You may want to check Mike Petro's opinion on the comments page following. Year: 2005 Production: Haiwan Tea Factory Region: Pu-Erh Mountain Area Leaf Description: Dark leaves, mostly middle to small sizes, with few silver buds and some branching leaf combinations. Compressed but whole leaves flake off with little effort. Few twigs. Available: Jing Tea Shop, Yunnan-Sourcing (Item# 4433068526), Holy Mountain Tea Co.

Infusion Parameters: 10s rinse, 20s, 20s, 40s, 70s, 120s, 140s, 180s

The brew is dark yellow, darker than any young sheng I've brewed to date. The initial flavors were smoke and burnt hay and very strong, with a bitter edge. The bitterness weakened as infusions progressed, and the smoke disappeared by the third brew. Brews 2 through 6 had a strong floral flavor, an almost soapy tuberose or orange blossom flavor, with strong flavors of burnt hay and woodiness like a fresh twig. I did not taste the "fallen leaves" or "plummy" notes of the reviewer on the Jing Tea Website.

My Opinion: While this cake is too strong for me to enjoy it young, I am very excited about how such strong flavors will mellow and change with age. I think this cake has given me some insight into what Mike Petro regards as an "ageable" cake, as he indicates that this cake is a good choice to age on his "my recommendations" page. It seems that a cake that is complex, strong/bitter, and floral makes a good choice...?

Shen

Interesting review. Has anyone noticed this tea's problems?

Kevo

I sure haven't, since I've never tasted the tea. But you have, no? Care to comment?

/Lew

I'd pretty much agree with his review when I first tried it 2 years ago. Now, it's starting to mellow and the complexity is developing. Based on it's progress to date, I think it's going to be really nice in 10-15 years. I hope I'm still here to enjoy it. :)

Dean

Hi Lew,

Too much sunbathing.

Dean described an earthy note & an odd sensation at the back of the throat. Care to elaborate on these, Dean?

Kevo

Hi Lew,

Too much sunbathing.

Dean described an earthy note & an odd sensation at the back of the throat. Care to elaborate on these, Dean?

Kevo

--------- "Earthy note": did you ever smell fully composted leaves? There is a bit of dry leaf smell, but also a fresh garden soil smell; sometimes in wine it's called "forest floor". In moderation this flavor/odor adds to the overall complexity of the tea (or wine).

"odd sensation at the back of the throat": hard to describe - sort of tingly, but mixed with a slight numbness like novocaine. This sensation was fleeting and I only noticed it on the first steep. I'm sure I've read other people's comments noticing this and trying to describe it. Perhaps it's just the residual pesticide, for all I know, although I did give it a brief (~5 sec) rinse. :)

Dean