2021 Guzhai Xiangyun, Baifuzangcang raw puerh 16g

2021 Guzhai Xiangyun, Baifuzang raw puerh 16g
Taiwan stored


Smells of mezcal smoke. Taste reminding of lapsang smoke. This is a true testament that mastery and reputation creates better results. The different years of this production are similar to Xiaguan in ways, but this exceeds all expectations for what it is and is in a new league of its own for my own tasting. Surprised by how transmutative the smoke is and impressed. There's no doubt that if this got awards in the past that it's possible that because early on these smoke notes are delicacies. The strength of this builds into burly type of smoke with that slight pop of young sheng behind it in ways that is hard to describe- it's like a youthful young sheng with a chip on its shoulder shown through the smokiness that is an enjoyable note throughout but permeates the mouth taste and feel in pleasant ways.

"per BFZC
"Auspicious Clouds over the Ancient Village in Yun County, Lincang
Ancient trees sprout fresh leaves, verdant through the millennia;
Outside the village, skies are clear and gentle breezes blow across the green landscape;
Auspicious vibes and the aroma of tea welcome returning friends;
Amidst the clouds, we rekindle the bonds of old friendships.

This tea is meticulously crafted from large-tree spring tea harvested in Yun County, Lincang, Yunnan. The region lies along a vital route of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. Defined by the Lancang River—which splits here to flow westward into the Indian Ocean and eastward into the Pacific—the area features dramatic topography with towering peaks and deep valleys; elevations range from a high of 3,098 meters to a low of 1,039 meters. Tea cultivation here dates back to the era prior to the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties. Home to twenty-eight distinct varieties of ancient tea trees, the region is regarded as a natural botanical museum and a vital gene bank for ancient tea tree species."