This tuo was purchased by collector in 1999 and we are not sure how really old it is exactly. What we know is that it’s made of material coming from about 250 year old trees, also that this tea was stored for first year in traditional storage or entering storage in Taiwan. This kind of storage means that for a year tea is stored in warehouse with controlled temperature and humidity, where boxes with tea are shuffled around in regular intervals to avoid building up mold. This way tea kick starts it’s aging but also have to rest in natural storage for decade or two, so it can loose entering storage aroma.
Very first thing I have noticed about it is how smooth and thick it is and with obvious aged taste and aroma. Tuo is still quite compressed and requires longer steeping times to get fuller flavor. Drinking lighter brewed may be less complex but is very tasty and consistently sweet, it is probably sweetest sheng I’ve ever had. It lasts forever and I can be brewed all day if not pushed. At the end of my session I was surprised how many whole leaves and buds I could find among spent leaves. Oh and have I mentioned it is made of wild trees material ?
Smooth, thick, sweet but also complex. Notes of dried dark fruits like prunes and raisins are complemented by aromatic wood, dark soil and sweet incense. Drinking this tea is very mind clearing and increasing focus, warming and deeply relaxing.
Because this tea have went through traditional storage we advise to perform 2-3 washes before drinking.
Picking - 1 bud 1 leaf