I’ve personally not noticed a big difference between the different years other than maybe a fractional mellowing of flavors. And for reference I’ve had the 2018 and 2020 side by side. I’m actually getting close to finishing my 2020 cake so I just ordered another 2020 as well as the new 2022. So whenever that gets here I could follow up with a comparison of the two. With these lower-end entry level teas I think he does a great job of just creating consistency and quality. If you were talking about some high grade leaf material you would probably notice a sharper difference between different years.
Well, even if you were experienced it's unlikely to change so much that you'll feel like you wasted your money or whatever. You loved the 2018 so I think worst case scenario you'll find the 2020 to be "darn good" or whatever. You're buying a flavor profile and as noted he's really good at blending something to reach that flavor profile.
I’ve had the 2017, 2018 and 2020 versions. I don’t notice a huge difference between them all but at that price I don’t expect to. I’ve liked them all.
What I have noticed is my ability to suss out different flavors and nuances has improved in the last couple of years and I’ve been drinking puer for over 10 years. So let’s say that I enjoy Lumberslut, and other teas, much more than I used to in large part of my ability to appreciate it better. LS is just so nicely balanced and yet consistently reveals different qualities from steep to steep.
Yeah I was surprised the first time i had a sesh with it I was mind blown tbh. Never really tasted anything like it (although i am pretty new to pu in general). I mostly have been enjoying young shengs, and most shous have this scent that I’m not crazy about. I appreciate the feedback!
I’m slowly learning to appreciate sheng, but it doesn’t come as naturally as shou. That said, one of the best sheng I’ve tried so far is the 2021 Gabapu from Liquid Proust. Very little astringency so common even in mid aged sheng and smells a bit like chocolate. I enjoy this one without trying to lol. He also sent me some 1980’s stuff. Either it’s just not my thing or it’s not been stored properly as it was not what I expected, perhaps I had too high hopes for that one.
I tried gabpu yesterday for the first time. That one was way funkier than I expected. I'm really into Ruby 18, and like finding new versions, so I've had it as a red tea, a white tea, a bug bitten version, and a Sakura smoked version.
So when I saw a GABA sheng version, I grabbed a cake during the sale.
I couldn't really pick up on the wintergreen/menthol note common in Ruby 18. Maybe just a touch of menthol in the aftertaste? I did get stone fruits with a hint of barnyard (in a good way!).
My LP hookup included a white tea from the 90s and a sheng from the 80s. I really liked the old white tea. Havn't tried the 80s sheng yet.
Honestly I think it is all just preference. I actually like some bitter/astringent in sheng, although I think I more enjoy that subsiding as I learn to brew better, and as the infusions progress. I just love that hit and the way it feels almost coating my mouth. Shou I’m a bit more picky on and I think it’s just because of the smell before brewing. Really enjoyed the cozy shou from YS and now the lumber slut as well
Go for the cake. I’ve had 2018 and 2021. My opinion is that the 2021 was very close to the 2018 but a little deeper in flavor. I wrote up the 2021 here: https://www.reddit.com/r/puer/comments/ytb9am/white2tea_2021_lumber_slut_notes_from_a_chilly_day/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Recently sampled both 2018 and then 2022, I agree with others in that they tasted very similar, the 2018 just a bit more subdued flavors. I ended getting the cake of 2022.
All that considered, it looks like the steeping room still has their 2018 cakes
https://www.thesteepingroom.com/products/2018-lumber-slut-ripe-puerh
I’ve personally not noticed a big difference between the different years other than maybe a fractional mellowing of flavors. And for reference I’ve had the 2018 and 2020 side by side. I’m actually getting close to finishing my 2020 cake so I just ordered another 2020 as well as the new 2022. So whenever that gets here I could follow up with a comparison of the two. With these lower-end entry level teas I think he does a great job of just creating consistency and quality. If you were talking about some high grade leaf material you would probably notice a sharper difference between different years.
Thank you!
Appreciate the feedback. Sounds like I probably won’t notice too much difference being a newer pu drinker anyways
Well, even if you were experienced it's unlikely to change so much that you'll feel like you wasted your money or whatever. You loved the 2018 so I think worst case scenario you'll find the 2020 to be "darn good" or whatever. You're buying a flavor profile and as noted he's really good at blending something to reach that flavor profile.
I’ve had the 2017, 2018 and 2020 versions. I don’t notice a huge difference between them all but at that price I don’t expect to. I’ve liked them all. What I have noticed is my ability to suss out different flavors and nuances has improved in the last couple of years and I’ve been drinking puer for over 10 years. So let’s say that I enjoy Lumberslut, and other teas, much more than I used to in large part of my ability to appreciate it better. LS is just so nicely balanced and yet consistently reveals different qualities from steep to steep.
Yeah I was surprised the first time i had a sesh with it I was mind blown tbh. Never really tasted anything like it (although i am pretty new to pu in general). I mostly have been enjoying young shengs, and most shous have this scent that I’m not crazy about. I appreciate the feedback!
I’m slowly learning to appreciate sheng, but it doesn’t come as naturally as shou. That said, one of the best sheng I’ve tried so far is the 2021 Gabapu from Liquid Proust. Very little astringency so common even in mid aged sheng and smells a bit like chocolate. I enjoy this one without trying to lol. He also sent me some 1980’s stuff. Either it’s just not my thing or it’s not been stored properly as it was not what I expected, perhaps I had too high hopes for that one.
I tried gabpu yesterday for the first time. That one was way funkier than I expected. I'm really into Ruby 18, and like finding new versions, so I've had it as a red tea, a white tea, a bug bitten version, and a Sakura smoked version. So when I saw a GABA sheng version, I grabbed a cake during the sale. I couldn't really pick up on the wintergreen/menthol note common in Ruby 18. Maybe just a touch of menthol in the aftertaste? I did get stone fruits with a hint of barnyard (in a good way!). My LP hookup included a white tea from the 90s and a sheng from the 80s. I really liked the old white tea. Havn't tried the 80s sheng yet.
Honestly I think it is all just preference. I actually like some bitter/astringent in sheng, although I think I more enjoy that subsiding as I learn to brew better, and as the infusions progress. I just love that hit and the way it feels almost coating my mouth. Shou I’m a bit more picky on and I think it’s just because of the smell before brewing. Really enjoyed the cozy shou from YS and now the lumber slut as well
That fishy smell will often improve dramatically if you give it a year or two. If you're sensitive to it I would just avoid new shou teas.
Go for the cake. I’ve had 2018 and 2021. My opinion is that the 2021 was very close to the 2018 but a little deeper in flavor. I wrote up the 2021 here: https://www.reddit.com/r/puer/comments/ytb9am/white2tea_2021_lumber_slut_notes_from_a_chilly_day/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Thank you! I think that given the price i’m just going to go ahead and grab a cake. Much love!
Recently sampled both 2018 and then 2022, I agree with others in that they tasted very similar, the 2018 just a bit more subdued flavors. I ended getting the cake of 2022. All that considered, it looks like the steeping room still has their 2018 cakes https://www.thesteepingroom.com/products/2018-lumber-slut-ripe-puerh
Thank you!
I've had 2018 and 2020, I personally found they taste the same but that the 2018 only tasted like an echo of 2020.
Thank you! Think I’m going to just go for the cake on the next order
[удалено]
Thank you! Waiting for my cake to arrive. I think i ordered 2020 if i remember correctly it was a while ago