Posting it here despite the fact that it is a 2021 harvest: there are not enough reviews for Old Ways Tea to split them by year.
Since I did not buy a lot of it I prepared it western style and was rather stingy with the amount of leaves. However, this tea performed quite well. Huge leaves produced a very satisfying aroma of dried fruit, apricot and bread. The soup was on the paler side.
The taste has been captured well by the previous reviewers: dried fruit (apple, apricot, peach), dark honey, nuts, sunflower seeds, some satisfying dryness. There was plenty of complexity and a long pleasing aftertaste. A lot of energy too. It reminded me of Jin Jun Mei (dryness), teas with snow chrysanthemum, and Red Temple from Whispering Pines.
All in all, this is a tea without any obvious flaws, with a unique and well-balanced taste. It comes to the personal preferences: some folks may find it solid, some – great, and I would be surprised if anyone will be outright disappointed.
Flavors: Apricot, Dried Fruit, Drying, Honey, Nuts, Peach
