Reviews
this is a really exquisite
"this is a really exquisite tea and we are lucky that yunnan sourcing is willing to do a pest/herb analysis on their offerings. This tea has a lot of the typical cherry danish, but also a really nice cashew, cacao powder. I would like to buy the whole production myself and sell it back to you all in 20 years of I could."
— Scott P. (5/5)
So nice!
"This is one of the best pu-erhs I’ve had in a while. So smooth and rich while using less tea. This is going back on my list!!"
— Jane S. (5/5)
Great tea if you can get past the bitterness
"The first time I brewed this tea was in a silver teapot, and the bitterness was a little too front facing. I put the cake away and figured I'd try it again in a month or so. The next time I brewed it I used a clay pot in hopes it would tame the bitterness. How glad I am I decided to try it again! This time, in clay, the bitterness was still there, but very tolerable with the edges rounded off. After two steeps it mellows out into a strong dark chocolate, and by steep 5 it is a nice background. The tea then opened up into an odd (but very pleasant) taste akin to the smell of old books, with a nice woodsy mushroom broth sweetness developing in later steeps. No wet pile taste in sight. May not be a favorite for those looking for fruitier cakes, but everyone should at least pick up a sample and give it some attention to learn about the region and gain experience altering their normal brewing methods to suit the tea."
— Matt A. (5/5)
A Favorite
"I come to tea as a long time black coffee drinker. While this ripe might be too intense for those who prefer more fruity ripes, I can confidently say this is one of my favorite young ripes from YS!"
— Scott (5/5)
My favorite shou across the
"My favorite shou across the board (as of Nov. 2020)! It is bitter in a delicious and seductive way, rather than being distracting or overpowering. Goes many steeps and would be my go-to daily drinker if I could afford it. I hope that this is the direction more shous go in for future blends."
— Ram K. (5/5)
this is absolutely in my top 10 puerh teas
"perhaps my favorite ripe of all, as Scott says, and rightly so with his mischievous grin in the video just get it"
— Cary K. (5/5)
Wonderful ripe
"This is easily one of the best ripe teas I have tried. Admittedly, most ripe teas I find to be pretty boring unless they have some oomph to them. This one does not disappoint. The bitterness is prominent and it's *almost* unsettling. But it absolutely is not. It works wonderfully. It reminds me of 80-90% dark chocolate. It's complex and has long lasting flavor. This cake is well worth every dollar! Scott did an awesome job with this cake."
— Nick H. (5/5)
Lao man'e for shou...
"This was a first for me, a bitter shou. It was high quality tea, all day, super clean, had subtlety, and a big hammer. I'd definitely grab a sample, and try to make a decision. I think this tea will be phenomenal with some age. However, it is bitter, as you would expect from a Lao man'e and it was a good and different experience. I'm just not sure the one I was looking for. However, I kinda want to buy some to age, I feel like, again it will be phenomenal with some time."
— Chris L. (4/5)
Excellent
"Remarkably clean tasting and smooth. The deep bitter taste is intense and dominating but in no way harsh or unpleasant. There's also quite a bit of sweetness if you look for it. An easy drink for anyone who appreciates bitter flavors. No young ripe "fishiness" whatsoever, perfectly drinkable right now. Glad to have bought a cake."
— Matthijs o. (5/5)
Very strong!!
"Excellent ripe: thick and dark. Bitterness is quite noticeable, but not as strong as the raw material from Lao Man’e. Good energy! Recommend for bitter lovers or curious"
— Luca B. (5/5)
