2006 Hong Tai Chang 0802 Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake

I've been tasting this tea a while ago, and I found it fruity (dried fruits), slightly earthy, with some herbal-medicinal notes. I've decided to hydrate it for few weeks, and for some reason that brought forward a refreshing fruitiness of sweet and sour fruits (wild plums, unripe cherries), layered on top of a relatively complex but not very prominent background (slightly nutty, woody, and a bit of a sweet minerality which reminds me of a low fired clay cup). Very clean aged.

Dry Leaf Fragrance.
An understated and elegant fragrance that intertwines sweet floral notes, foliage and light honeyed undertones. This subtle fragrance evokes summer and spring mornings in the garden.

Warmed teapot.
When warmed, the tea opens with woody honey and rich dried fruit notes, including raisins, apricots and a faint note of plum. Warm and enveloping accents add a pleasant depth and richness to the flavor.

Flavor at first.
The tea displays a rich and full-bodied flavor dominated by dried fruits such as raisins and apricots, with distant floral accents and a mild honey sweetness. The aftertaste reveals a light tobacco tinge reminiscent of an expensive cigarette with a subtle bitterness, giving the tea an interesting and noble profile.

After.
The flavor remains full-bodied and layered. Nutty nuances appear in the notes, especially almond, which enhances the texture and gives the flavor more volume.

Overall Impression.
This sheng pu-erh from Thailand stands out for its restraint and depth. Its aromatics and flavor are like a melody to be gradually recognized and understood. Hints of dried fruits, woodiness and light tobacco notes make this tea brutal and thoughtful, unlike dessert varieties.

Conclusion.
The infusion is dark amber in color, crystal clear and withstands steeps even with short 5-10 second brews. In a session, the tea is able to open up, maintaining the richness of flavor from start to finish. This sheng pu-erh gives a powerful effect, creating a meditative state that promotes concentration and relaxation. The tea has confidently taken a place among the favorites, impressing with its quality and subtlety of disclosure.

Hit this as a gift sample from Valerii. Didn't have very high expectations since the numbers in the name of this tea were associated with factory Chinese puers in my mind, and I didn't know much about this cake. But the first attentive session blew me away. It's incredibly nuanced, rich, and just tasty! The qi is strong but not overpowering. An amazing aged sheng. Would definitely buy a few cakes when I have some extra money a place to store them

Brief (5-10 seconds) steeps in 90 Celsius water.
Liquor is almost-clear and dark golden amber in color.
Taste is woody and fruity, the likes of leather and raisins, with a long aftertaste.
Mouthfeel is medium-body, leaving a dry and sticky feel on the palate and around the lips, with a touch of astringency.
Wet leaves are dark bronzed brown in hues, giving off a sweet aroma of burnt ripen plum and honey.
Strength of flavor starts to mellow down but the 6th infusion, thus best to steep longer from here onwards.
A longer (1 minute) steep in the next infusion gives a deeper and darker hue of liquor, a similar look to whisky, and also a longer sweet aftertaste and astringency.
This tea is somewhat bold in taste without being overpowering.
Very flavorful and enjoyable, and withstands numerous infusions.

Wise sheng and nocturnal flashes of flavor.
It's warm and kind, with a little bit of grapes in it and a lot of prunes.
Prunes, dates oh yes how good it is, but there are flowers, some from the gardens of paradise, oh there are no words for how beautiful it is!
The aftertaste is powerful, it's woody, warm and sweet, it's all over the body, it doesn't let go, or rather I don't let it go!
It is an extravaganza of flavors, emotions and aromas!
It is definitely the best sheng I have ever tasted!
Definitely a gem, definitely fantastic!
What a high!
It's just hard to put into words all that is in this sheng!