Backlog:
The difference between the Premium Grade and Competition Grade of the AliShan High Mountain is that the competition grade is lightly roasted. That roasting makes a difference in the flavor. But I enjoyed both of them.
This tea doesn’t have the toasted nutty flavor of the competition grade, but I think that this one was a bit more creamy and floral. I like the way the flowery notes meld with the natural vegetal notes of the tea.
This is a very special AliShan (then again, I find that most AliShan teas are special – they’re my favorite Oolong for a reason!) but as I said in my full-length review of this tea – http://sororiteasisters.com/2014/08/14/taiwan-alishan-high-mountain-oolong-tea-premium-grade-from-cameron-tea/ – this tea is simply magnificent.
i managed 10 infusions from the same measurement of leaves. I combined the first 5 infusions in one mug (my special YiXing Mug for Ali Shan Oolong) and the second five infusions were combined for the second mug. Both mugfuls were fantastic. I love the sweet, creamy floral notes. Vanilla-like notes. Faint vegetal tones. A beautiful tea.