Pure Ancient Trees – Tier 5

s. Really astonishing frehness of fragances for 2011 leaves.
Show Less

bowl disappointed. Visually the cake comprises some white leaves and a mix of different hues of darker aged leaves. Extremely smooth and gently sweet from the start, the sort of purity of sweetness that you get from a cocoa pod’s fleshy white pulp. Incredibly striking and persistent perfume, like a mix of jasmin and winter flowers from a Daphne bush. The bowl is empty yet it overflows with floral scent. Pot leaf aromas are earthier. I’m brewing rather cool for the first few steeps to capture as much of the perfume as possible and to profit from the cashmere-soft qualities of the tea. Let’s see what happens when I brew hotter and harder (from brew 5). An attractive astringency damps down the sweetness a bit and adds a ‘grain’ to the soup without in any way impacting the aromas from the empty bowl. There’s still almost no perceivable bitterness. But the astringency is gone as soon as the next steep leaving a beautifully balanced, mineral yet sweet tea and a high throat cooling sensation. Cleansing. Classy tea for all the senses.
Show Less

ht find in a modern old/ ancient tree production (and remains perfumed long into the session). Beeswax, Frankincense medicinal honey, lemon blossom. Thickly textured, yet with a lifted palate thanks to an acidulous, mouthwatering balance to the tea with an earthy, tertiary-flavoured back palate. Some stickiness to the broth. Low bitterness. Grounding Q1i. Storage really has been ideal. Given the large cake size, I see this as very good value. I want another cake; such a shame it's a sell-out 🙂
Show Less

ma of the dry leaves. Taste is not all wood and bark, but apricots and plums, and there is no that specific smokiness of Xiaguan, we are all acquainted with, maybe just a little bit. It is a classy sheng and it is a good companion to spend a late evening with. Now it is officially my favourite Xiaguan cake.
Show Less

lean storage - very good.
Show Less