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“Randomly pulled this out of the stash and rinsed it nicely and noticed it had a strong aroma. Rinsed it a second time just because I am use to really smooth sheng at this point. First steep was...” Read full tasting note
“Seems I am the first to review this one. Hope I can get it right. Unwrapping it this little cake is pretty well compressed. I got out the tea needle and pulled out 9 grams to start with. I rinsed...” Read full tasting note
These little puerh cakes come to us from a unique growing region near Mengku in Ling Cang Prefecture. The old tea trees grow in a grove known as the “Ice Island” (Bing Dao) at an altitude of over 7,000 feet. The material was picked in March 2012 from trees that have been producing for centuries – some of them are 500 years old. Teas from this area are potent and known for their cooling effect. Pu’er isn’t really produced north of this area, so these leaves experience some of the coolest weather in the sheng catagory.
The cakes are compressed tightly and wrapped in a beautiful, understated plain stamped wrapper. The characters mean “Bing Dao” or Ice Island. The flavor is quite powerful now, which bodes well for this tea’s aging potential. Very fast steeping s (15-20 sec.) with boiling water yield a thick and woody flavor with a nice sweet aftertaste.
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Randomly pulled this out of the stash and rinsed it nicely and noticed it had a strong aroma. Rinsed it a second time just because I am use to really smooth sheng at this point.
First steep was rough. Second steep was harsh. Third steep was me wondering why I’m so forgiving.
Ended it there. Quite bitter for a 4 year old tea since this is from 2012.Mine came right off of the cake too so either I am realllly spoiled with sheng or this is just a punch in the mouth and I’m not a masochist.
Seems I am the first to review this one. Hope I can get it right. Unwrapping it this little cake is pretty well compressed. I got out the tea needle and pulled out 9 grams to start with.
I rinsed it for about 10 seconds and then did a 15 second steep as per the brewing instructions. The aroma is fresh grass and asparagus . It brewed a pale yellow cup from the yixing. It seems to be "medium " bodied that has the good mouthfeel to it. It gives citrus, wood and some Ku Wei to it. This will seem to slide over the tongue to the back of your mouth to where the sweet side of this one comes out. Easy to drink and wonderful leaf that I pulled out to see. Big and strong and very full.
Mandala another great tea!
I would say best to gong fu this one as I think more complexities will continue to come through. I only have done 2 so far but many more to come.
Now I wish I had ordered some of this with my recent Mandala order
That happens anytime I order with mandala…. “Doh I was going to get that too….”
Looks like Mandala order on a horizon. I really really liked Autumn Song.
@Sil – it happens to me a LOT
@boychick – I got some of that Autumn Sing!!! I can’t wait to try it
My same was from cake. Did you get a cake or Mao cha? I wonder if they taste differently.
Same=sample.
I have to get the Autumn Song too, sounds really nice!
2012 is considered a very good year. The tea was particularly strong. It is not easy to find 2012 anything and when you think you’ve bought one the date is 2011, not as good a year. I don’t know how much of this you have, but might want to hang onto it awhile.
Had about 90% of a cake and gave it all away. This is not something I want to revist though so it’s okay. YS has a lot of 2012 cakes, should I look into them?
I can help with part of that.
I heard good things about Scott’s ’12 Wuliangs.