We like to say that this superb high mountain tea terroir is just up the mountain from us. Ok, maybe a few mountains away up, but we are very proud to say that Shanlinxi has developed into one of the highly reputed growing areas in our own Nantou County, and rightfully so. The spectacular tea gardens are situated at an elevation of 1600 to 1800 meters and some of them have such vertiginous inclines that mountaineering equipment is required to go and pick the leaves. Shanlinxi oolong distinguishes itself from other Gao Shan oolongs in that it features clearly defined balsam notes that make it particularly appealing to the palate and nose. Many say that the luxuriant fir tree forests surrounding the gardens have something to do in conveying this fresh evergreen feeling in the cup. This Spring 2013 offering is one of the best we’ve seen. It offers a wonderful multi-layered experience which will reveal sweet buttered corn at first, then fresh balsam notes and a flowery finale as if your were eating tender wild flowers. Very addictive.