Back in 2017 White2tea’s 2017 Sunday Special shou was funky wet piled scented on arrival. It sat in my shou-pumidor for over 3 years, waiting for the right time to drink. Not too long ago, it has come to my attention that Sunday Special settled down to delicious, so let’s give this small batch shou a try.
Leaf and Steeping Method
2017 Sunday Special shou has the scent of medicinal dirt – better smelling than it was back in 2017.
I used 1gram of leaf per 14ml vessel gongfu ratio, with boiling water temperature. After a rinse, the leaves smell of sweet, but of light earth.
Tasting of White2tea’s 2017 Sunday Special Shou
First and Second Infusion: 2017 Sunday Special steeps up a moderate-light intensity, tasting sweet, minerally, with sour driftwood and a softly bitter finish. The aftertaste is bittersweet earth and the texture is thick and coating, perfect stomach soother from a hard Saturday night.
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Infusion: Here, Sunday Special fully opens up to a strong, inky, nutty, and bittersweet earthy flavor. That bittersweetness lingers after each sip, slapping me awake.
Sixth and Seventh Infusion: Sunday Special chilled out to a mineral and old wooden dresser taste, still holding onto the bittersweet finish. The bitter here is on the level of how rootbeer bites.
Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Infusion: These last steeps are sweet minerally with a chocolate driftwood finish. This tea is still silky slick to the end.
Comments
I wished I drank 2017 Sunday Special sooner as this shou is engaging and complex showing a mix of sweet and bitter notes, over a thick texture.
A shou lover should snag a 2017 Sunday Special cake before it is gone forever. If you are too late, there is a 2020 Sunday Special, but also White2tea’s Modern Witch is pretty awesome too.
