2021 BangWai Single Big Ancient Tree (T5*, Benchmark)

Highlights:

• 1 single big very ancient tree (top 2% oldest trees in this area)
• Maximum tree estimated age: 800 years (see below “How old are these trees?” for more info)
• Sweet, mildly bitter and really rich tea soup
• Long aftertaste and huigan
• Strong Qi of a very ancient tree

Bangwai is renowed for having one of the oldest (said to be 1700 years) Puerh trees, but there are other very old trees in the region, and this is one such tree. An early review: “My absolute favourite so far! For my taste the perfect bitterness with beautiful long lasting huigan and medicinal aftertaste.”

I’m going to say this tea is more for the expert than the beginner, the smoothness combined with the richness of the liquor makes for many very satisfying infusions, the aftertaste and durability are great, without being harsh or disturbing in any way. I would also 100% recommend this to anybody that loves Danzhu/single tree Puerh for their purity of taste and Qi.

The 4 years aging gives it that edge of not being too green or astringent while still having a really full body, aged to perfection. Of course the Qi of very ancient trees it’s not just calming and noticeable, but has a comfortable, profound, deep influence that both the serious tea drinker and the Qi lover will appreciate a lot.

Please don’t think this price is too low for an excellent tea, if you can understand this type of tea this is really good! If you prefer your tea having a lot of different flavours and more powerful but still smooth, try 2022 Gold Mark TianMenShan, it’s likely to make you happier (also a steal). If you prefer raw power and some astringency try 2016 CYH ChaWangShu or 2021 Absolute King Lao Ban Zhang.

How old are these trees?

All tree ages are approximations, and one should always doubt when an age is given as a single number. There are no certain scientific methods to identify the age of a tea tree. The only possible way to tell how old (and healthy) a certain tree is is by drinking its leaves and comparing it to its neighbours: the older the tree is, the thicker the soup and the more comfortable the ChaQi and your body in general.

The consensus among the most reliable tea experts about the age of the oldest standard puerh varietal trees in Bangwai is over 800 years (some people say less or more than this too). However people, even experts, have very different opinions about what age of tree is in a specific area.

So there always is uncertainty in this topic and we won’t pretend otherwise, we simply say: If you or your favourite expert think there are 800+ years old in Bangwai, this is one such tree. This is a genuine Big ancient tree and accordingly this is one the very best available trees available in the area. Best largely means oldest, but healthiest/biggest is also very important.

You can find more details about reference tree ages on the Benchmark ancient tree introduction under “Age of trees”.

 

Puerh.uk Benchmark Ancient Tree Series Introduction

• The best possible ancient tree tea that can be obtained in a given specific garden
• Our most significant contribution to making available a type of puerh that was not available before
• Super strict quality criteria (standard puerh varietal only, classic puerh areas only, 1st spring pick, extremely clean environment, ancient trees that have never been cut, healthiest and biggest trees only chosen for single trees production)

The best tea is not for sale, it’s available only through relationships. Tier 5 is about 0.01% of available Puerh, with ancient tree leaves only with all taste qualities present in overwhelming amount, tea that is basically only found in elite asian circles and via private connections.

Benchmark ancient tree Puerh is the top section of Tier 5, and particularly means: this is highest expression of ancient tree puerh from a specific garden, so it can be used as “benchmark” to tell whether other puerh is truly ancient tree or not.

Puerh of this quality has never been made before in history (only in the last 10 years), this is the most exciting frontier of tea at the moment as far as we’re concerned. Please see the full Benchmark ancient tree introduction page for more info.

30g ceramic jars (a bit more than 1oz) containing chunks of cake, 200g cakes.