# Tasting Log

# Ruby Gaba

Gaba-tea (roasted under inert atmosphere) of Ruby 18

##### Taste

- High amount of astringency
- Strong roasted notes (as is typical of oolong)
- Juicy notes
- Acidity

##### Rating

It's fine, but doesn't blow me away like Ruby Black.

I never was a big fan of oolong, so maybe it's just that.

# Swallows Nest

Rock Oolong of Rou Gui leaves

Leaves got crushed in shipping, so taste may not representative.

##### Taste

- Extremely strong (probably because the leaves got a bit crushed in shipping)
- Tastes like a whiskey barrel without the alcohol
- Slight fruity notes
- Some herbs
- Maybe even a hint of cinnamon?

##### Rating

Usually I'm not a fan of oolong-teas, but I actually quite like this one. The usual taste of plain roasted leaves is transformed into something akin to a whiskey barrel, which creates a rich and layered taste. Good tea, may buy more.

# Stone Milk

Rock oolong from Shi Ru leaves

##### Taste

- Very gentle taste (for oolong)
- Creamy mouthfeel, actually feels like milk (tastes very different of course)
- High minerality
- Roasted leaves

##### Rating

Surprisingly mellow and gentle oolong, with a strong minerality. Like licking some friendly rocks.

Not a very deeply layered taste, but good for some relaxed drinking.

# Ruby Black

Black tea of Ruby 18 leaves

##### Taste

- Strong notes of camphor
- Moderately high minerality and astringency
- Subdued cinnamon sweet notes
- If you look for it, you can even detect hints of eucalyptus
- Nice floral and spice notes

##### Rating

I love this tea. It to me represents the essence of what a black tea is, and I like black tea the most already.

At first the camphor dominates, but with more infusions the more subdued notes take the stage and create a deeply layered drinking experience.

Still easily my favorite tea.

# Ancient Haze

Black tea of <span class="squiggle">Ye Sheng Dehongensis leaves</span>

##### <span class="squiggle">Taste</span>

- <span class="squiggle">Extremely fresh and refreshing</span>
- <span class="squiggle">Juicy and fruity</span>
- <span class="squiggle">Notes of various citrus fruits</span>
- <span class="squiggle">Hints of hops</span>

##### <span class="squiggle">Rating</span>

<span class="squiggle">Very nice black tea. Extremely refreshing with a decently deep flavor profile.</span>

<span class="squiggle">I like it a lot.</span>

# Honeycomb Black

Black tea of Da Ye Zhong leaves

##### Taste

- Bread
- No really, it's like I made tea of old toast
- Malty notes
- Hint of dark chocolate

##### Rating

Bread.

On it's own I don't like it that much, but if you add a bit of sugar it very nicely complements and softens the rather dry bready flavor and transform it to something like a honeyed pastry.

# Old Tree Silver Needle

White Tea of <span class="squiggle">Da Ye Zhong leaves.</span>

#### <span class="squiggle">Taste</span>

- <span class="squiggle">Fresh fruit notes</span>
- <span class="squiggle">Hint of camphor</span>
- <span class="squiggle">As it cools down a pudding-like note appears</span>
- <span class="squiggle">Pudding-taste gets stronger with the first few infusions</span>
- <span class="squiggle">Fresh and creamy mouthfeel</span>

#### <span class="squiggle">Rating</span>

<span class="squiggle">Fresh and gentle notes with a interesting and deep flavor profile, that also changes a good amount with each infusion.</span>

<span class="squiggle">I like it a lot, very good white tea.</span>

# Young Gushu 23

Raw Puerh from the year '23

#### Taste

- Fresh, leafy
- Green tea
- Apple (?) skin

#### Rating

Very refreshing and comfortable to drink. Doesn't have the "moldy" notes some Puerh teas tend to have.

Pretty good