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Warning, long review ahead.
The following review is for two Bai Chamoux cakes bought from MX Tea on taobao.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBitEHWxYNE/ The ram one is Yangyngdeyi and the monkey is 2016 Monkey Memorial. First I will admit that I spoke to MX Tea about suggestion and asked about these teas and they responded by telling me that they are new and not the best to drink now. I went against what they said because I wanted to buy from a place that nobody else was yet (that I knew/know of). I’ve asked quite a few people about Bai Champoux and had no luck finding anyone with experience. I went with two middle level cakes in regards to price. These were $50 and $40; thee numbers include shipping which I divided out for the weight of the order and distributed by the cakes weight.
Here’s a look at these two + the 2007 raw Mengku https://www.instagram.com/p/BB3gPJYxYHh/
Knowing that buying these two cakes would be a risky gamble of getting ‘eh’ stuff at a not so low price, I convinced myself to go for it because I had to try them. As many can guess, I did kind of buy these based on the wrapper and picture of the pressed material.
Firs thing to note: MX Tea has the best packaging out there. The cakes are wrapped in a plastic bag prior to shipping, put in a box, and then wrapped again. Anyways, it took me a few days to even try the teas because I was nervous that buying a 2015 and 2016 (that’s what it says) cake from a producer that nobody has said anything about would end up being wasted money. Then I tried them and committed to another session each before writing a review.
The ram / Yangyndeyi: This is the cheaper of the two cakes at around 11 cents a gram, it isn’t a bad price. I rinsed this tea and let it sit for 12 minutes before the first steep which was bitter and I said ‘damnitttttttttttttttttt’. However, the second steep wasn’t so bitter so I think there was some leftover water from the rinse sitting in there plotting a war on my tongue. With practically no aroma, to the point I can’t even comment about what it could be, this tea having a tasting note (1) to comment about is quite interesting. The only taste I can say stands out is that of tobacco. Texture wise this tea is almost to the middle level, meaning it is not thick but also doesn’t have that buttery feel. What this tea has that the other doesn’t is a mild qi. My favorite part of this tea is the coating it leaves in the mouth which is a warm feeling with a slimy touch.
The 2016 Monkey Memorial: At 14 cents a gram, this cake isn’t that bad of a price either but the fact that it’s a $50 gamble kind of had me nervous; along with the 2016 date on it. I did not let this tea sit because I was wanted to drink it right away on both occasions that I drank this. Considering how sensitive to bitterness I am, I figured this would be something that would take time until I could drink it. I was absolutely wrong. Steep 1 through 15 had no bitterness and I was completely surprised. What stood out most about this tea was the camphor aftertaste that lingered. To be more accurate, it was like an aroma that was trapped in your mouth that you’re tasting… it sounds odd, but it was pleasant. That taste for me was like a mixture of nut and cinnamon. I was in shock upon drinking this tea and I’m hoping others enjoy it as much as I did so I don’t feel crazy: https://www.instagram.com/p/BCBhqawxYHi/
Overall, I don’t think I’d buy more of the Yangyndeyi and I am unsure about the 2016 Monkey Memorial. While the Monkey brews a wonderful tasting liquid, I’m unsure what would happen to the camphor experience as it ages. I’ll keep some of this cake and check on it in a few months because if it stays or improves, I will look into buying another. As for the Yangydeyi, I just don’t care to only taste tobacco notes and have a slight bitterness following me around all day through the steeps.
80% of these cakes will go toward the puerh ttb and swaps so if have anything odd or fun you’re up to swapping just let me know :)