I skipped buying new Thai sheng from my favorite source this year, back closer to spring. I'd stocked up early in the year, on Vietnamese teas instead, and had bought quite a bit of this version last year, and was limiting tea purchasing to essentially none.
But I just made an exception, and bought some of the 2024 version again, and a Dian Hong-style black tea, again from Aphiwat. It's more or less my favorite overall sheng version right now, and has been for a year or two. There is no Western facing vending outlet for this tea, but Aphiwat can be contacted here.
An online group question about the best sheng version I've ever tried (that anyone in the group had) reminded me of the difference between versions seeming exceptional in that way, as a high-water mark, and just being favorites, more within the ordinary range, but special. I won't shed much light on that difference. I suppose some LBZ or Bing Dao versions that I've tried were better than this, more interesting, more refined, with more unique and noteworthy sets of aspects. Many teas have more aging potential; I think this is best for drinking within the first year or two.
But beyond all that this really clicks for me. Maybe why will come across in the review, or maybe I'll just not make sense in voicing this divide.
Breaking usual form I've already tried this tea so I know what I think of it. It's quite good, and relatively similar to last year's version.
Review:
 |
that extra color is probably from some oxidation, not aging effect |
1: I let this brew a little long to get it started; it might be a little rough due to that, and it's definitely slightly overbrewed. It's on the bitter and intense side, but that's part of what I'm signed up for, what I like about it. Sweetness is good, and flavor complexity. Astringency is definitely there but it's not harsh. Bitterness is pronounced, and a little intense, but not bad, at a decent level. I'll do more of a flavor list next round.
2: for flavor breakdown this is mostly floral, and it's always hard for me to describe the level beyond that, which flowers. One part tastes a little like plant stem, coupled with the bitterness. Some warmth seems to connect with mineral that's in between light and warm. For a tea from 2024 that's a lot of transition already, to shift over to not being very light in mineral tone, and other flavor, but that's Thai storage for you, hot and humid, with changes happening fast. Sweetness level is good; it matches the rest. Feel is full, with good structure. Aftertaste is pleasant; it's all the sweeter after you swallow.
Now I'm having trouble explaining why this is so pleasant. It sounds like lots of other sheng experiences, doesn't it? It really is, I suppose. The material seems good, making the balance work. The intensity is great. Me liking this style helps a lot, and I really didn't love it as much, before years of trying versions like this. It evolved to be a favorite.
3: rich feel is evolving a bit more; I think that's another part of why this works so well for me. And aftertaste experience; sweetness and some bitterness trails after, and the floral range. And it's really clean in effect, without much of a hint of a flaw, or off aspect. I suppose that plant-stem vegetal range tying to the bitterness not everyone would love, but I see that as just as positive as it is negative or neutral. It works with the rest.
4: honey-like flavor picks up a little. It makes the floral range seem to draw closer to tones that align with that, like one would a sunflower to smell, although maybe they don't, really. My wife and I visited a sunflower farm a couple of years ago, but I don't remember that I tried smelling them.
Related to style, it seems like this might be a little more oxidized than conventional sheng, which is why it's so approachable as such a young version (about 8 or 9 months old, I think; spring can run early here). That's why the mineral includes warm tones, and why the honey input matches warm floral range. It all tips just a little towards dried fruit, but that can be hard to place. Like dried longan, maybe, a personal favorite of mine, or not so far off dried mango, if that's more familiar.
5: bitterness and astringency are easing up, but it always was relatively approachable. It's just pleasant now, well balanced, intense, warmer in tone, quite nice.
I could say more about minor transitions over another half dozen rounds but that's a main part of the story. And I have to go; I have other things to do.
later rounds: I drank another 8 or so infusions the next day; this tea really hangs in there for intensity, and related to staying pleasant. That's not really even stretching it. Between the 5th and 9th or so it's at its best; warm honey and fruit flavors really dominate, then bitterness picks up a bit later on.
Christmas
I tried this on Christmas day; odd I hadn't mentioned that. Kalani was sick, just as Keoni was getting over being sick, so we did kind of a relaxed day, before going out later on. Shopping for gifts never really came together; at best they got a few token gifts from us, and not much for that. We spent some of the time planned for that on a doctor visit. As usual Eye ran late catching up on errands, only back here in Bangkok for the last two days, after spending the fall in the US, where the kids go to school.
I hope everyone reading this is having a great holiday season, and no matter how well or badly gift giving works out that some personal connections make it feel special.
 |
a long nap on Christmas day, after waking up early |
 |
doing math assignments on Christmas break; that's not ideal |
 |
Christmas Eve outlet outing. it's great to see them again. |
No comments:
Post a Comment