Silver Needle Supreme, traditional white tea, 40 g

I don’t drink much white tea, and I thought this bag was going to last me at least a couple of months, but here I am exactly 1 week into opening it and I’m down to the last brew. The batch I’m reviewing is from 2022, and at the time of this review it’s just over 3 years old – the perfect time to open it up and see how time has tempered these leaves? It’s still young enough to retain some fresh qualities – the aroma of the dry leaf is reminiscent of pastry dough and zucchini blossom – but it’s also mellowing out and settling into its age comfortably, with creamy notes of vanilla already well-developed, and a fantastically smooth body that doesn’t have much in the way of rye/hay/grain-like notes. The mouthfeel is very doughy and chewy, it’s like freshly-baked rolls dusted with vanilla beans and cacao powder. The note of cacao is subtle and short-lived on the palate right now, but I could see this becoming more pronounced in about 10 years. As I approach the bottom of my first bag, the technique I’ve found to work best may be unusual, but it always renders a sublime experience: 6 to 8 grams in a 400mL thermos, using water around 150*F / 65*C, and letting it steep fully sealed for 1 to 2 hours before drinking. The flavor profile is always fully clarified, I don’t feel like I’m missing anything these leaves have to offer despite the temperature being rather cool. The mouthfeel is creamy, soft on the palate, and sinks heavily into the gums, hanging out stubbornly between the teeth for a long time. This specific quality is something that really hits the spot for my oolong-loving soul, except with this white tea, I’m getting clear notes of vanilla bean and cookie dough. … I’ll be back for more. This is very good Silver Needles.