Adagio Masters Collection Yunnan Pu Erh Gold Review

Adagio Masters Collection Yunnan Pu Erh Gold is a good introductory pu-erh, but it lacks the depth and body of a truly high-end pu-erh.

Adagio's Yunnan Pu Erh Gold is from Yunnan. Like many high-end puers, it's made from golden buds and it is aged.

Adagio's description talks about how this particular puer embodies the character of puer tea in general. There are some really gross puers out there and there are some remarkably deep, nuanced puers out there. This tea is neither of those things.

In part because of the description and in part because of my experience with puer, I expected the flavor of Yunnan Pu Erh Gold to have a lot more depth than it actually did. Instead of rich, dark puer flavors of old growth forest, leather and mushrooms, it has a woodsy, nutty flavor that's a little astringent and a little sour. There's a hint of licorice, a mellow aftertaste and a relatively thin mouthfeel.

The second infusion is surprisingly hollow and not really worth drinking.

While Golden Pu Erh's mellow and mild flavor may not appeal to regular puer drinkers, it's probably a great "introductory puer" for black tea drinkers.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the retailer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.