Limingxing Golden Peacock Special Grade Shu Pu-erh (Ripe Pu-erh) 2012, 50 g Portion | Menghai

A ripe pu-erh from Limingxing (黎星), made by the Menghai Liming Xinghuo Tea Factory (勐海县黎明星火茶厂) in Xishuangbanna. Golden Peacock Special Grade Cake (金孔雀特级饼) is a "Menghai Qi Zi Bing Cha" pressed in the traditional 357 g format, and this listing is a 50 g portion broken from that cake. The leaf is Yunnan large-leaf maocha from the Lancang river basin, grown above 2,000 m in Menghai county. After hand-sorting and selection it was fermented and steam-pressed into a tight, even cake. This is the 2012 pressing, now well-aged.

With over a decade of age behind it, this is ripe pu-erh at its smooth, comfortable best. The early pile-ferment edge is long gone, leaving a clean, deep cup with a mellow, sweet character and a notably thick, full body. The aged aroma is clean and rich.

The liquor is a bright reddish-gold, clear and glossy, with a soft, full texture that coats the mouth. Across infusions it stays stable and generous, holding its depth through many steeps while the sweetness opens further, leaving a clean, refreshing, thirst-quenching finish.

A well-aged, full-bodied shu, smooth and satisfying for daily drinking. This 50 g portion is an easy way to try a decade-aged Menghai cake without committing to a whole bing, equally at home in a focused gongfu session or a thermos. The full 357 g cake is listed separately.

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