Limingxing Yiwu Qiao Mu Sheng Pu-erh (Raw Pu-erh) Tea Cake 2015, 357g | Menghai

A raw pu-erh from Limingxing (黎星), made by the Menghai Liming Xinghuo Tea Factory (勐海县黎明星火茶厂), the former state-owned Liming No. 7 Branch Farm tea factory. "Yunnan Banna Yiwu Sheng Bing", named Yiwu Qiao Mu (易武乔木, "Yiwu arbor trees") with the motto "千年古韵" ("a thousand years of ancient charm"), was pressed on 6 April 2015 from Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried maocha of Yiwu arbor trees, in the traditional 357 g Qi Zi Bing format.

Yiwu is one of the six classic tea mountains and one of the most respected names in pu-erh, famous for raw teas that are soft, sweet and full rather than sharp. With over a decade of age behind it, this 2015 cake has moved past its green youth into a rounder middle stage. Expect honeyed and dried-fruit notes, a gentle bitterness turning to sweetness and the first hints of aged wood.

The liquor is golden to light amber, clear and bright, smooth on the palate with a returning sweetness in the throat. Across infusions the astringency stays gentle and the aromatics deepen, and it steeps generously through many rounds, rewarding a patient session.

A decade-aged Yiwu sheng from a historic Menghai factory at an honest price. Drink it now to enjoy its mid-aged character, or keep it to mature further over the years.

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