The 2007 "Menghai" from "12 Gentlemen" was infamous for both being rather costly, and exceptionally tight in its compression. While the compression has not slowed its aging, it has caused a dramatic side-effect, at which the title of this article hints. "Ick", has my journal. This cake needs plenty more time on the shelf before it becomes drinkably. I invite you to follow the link for my updated notes on this agonising, yet high-quality, cake.
The 2004 Shuangjiang Mengku "Bainian", on the other hand, is entirely drinkable and has aged magnificently. It is woody, pine-like, and retains some of the zest of the youth from which it has clearly aged. As far as "mainstream" tea goes, this straightforward cake is something of a gem. Good ol' Shuangjiang Mengku, during this era, were famous for solid, inexpensive little numbers such as this. Again, I invite you, Gentle Reader, to follow the link above should you wish to read the updated notes in full.
In response to e-mails, the Taobao vendor for the Shuangjiang Mengku cake was: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13276824170
ReplyDeleteToodlepip,
Hobbes