2002 Jiang Cheng "Ye Sheng Gu Cha" Aged Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake

Aged treatment

I am very impressed by this cake. The sample I got was from the center, which supposedly is less aged than the rest of the cake, and produced a sweeter brew. Nevertheless, I was convinced and bought a full cake. The edge is definitely very different from the centre, with a more mellow and aged taste. The leaves on this part are very loose, but as you work your way only slightly deeper into the cake they are packed together considerably tighter. It was this part of the cake that truly impressed me. It had the sweetness I enjoyed as much from the center while still having the aged character the outer leaves have. This is a very affordable cake, easy to drink, but it tastes like an absolute treat. If you like sweet and mellow sheng, this is the cake you should buy. Or you don't, and leave more tea for me to drink, because I'm definitely gonna reorder once I run out.

Sour cherries and lambic beer

Wood and leather but with a distinctive sour cherry note, with hints of Belgian beer. Pleasant astringency and very clean