Laocong Shuixian 2013 (Old Bushes)

This is not a tea I would think of as being complex, but in fact over the course of multiple sessions it shows sufficient depth of character. It is just that you won’t be able to get it all at once. Overall, it is very easy to drink tea with a medium body and strong woodiness. The cha qi is mild and chest warming, while the mouthfeel is at first foamy and later on somewhat oily.

From the dry leaves, I get the sensation of smelling dry coffee beans and old wooden furniture. After the rinse, notes of magnolia, curry leaves, nectarine, honey, and multiple other woody and vegetal ones appear. The taste profile is not too different either. It starts off being very woody with a herbal, nettle-like impression. The latter lingers on to generate a cooling and quite vegetal aftertaste. Middle of the session gives a sweeter, thicker and earthier liquor with notes of blackberries, citrus and stone fruits. These flavours are then followed by rum, custard and charcoal towards the end.

It is certainly a nice tea that I see myself coming back to often. However, as it lacks any sort of ‘wow factor’ and doesn’t yield much more than 120ml/g, I cannot really rate it above 80, especially given that it isn’t cheap either.

This is another big tea from Wuyi Origin, so balanced, so sweet, so mineral, so smooth…, but with the force of a Shuixian.
Steeped 15 sec. first adding 5 sec. each until 60 sec., then 15 sec. eah until eleven.
First steep so strong, a little bitter but with a very long Yan Yun aftertaste and a weak sweet notes. In second steep bitters almost disappear increasing the presence of the tipical mineral flavor of a wuyi tea, with smoky notes, woody and chocolat notes. Tea is beginning to round up. Thirth steep is now balanced and smooth, increasing it strong mineral notes and showing honey sweetness. Fron thirth to seven steep the tea stabilizes this flavors, increasing honey notes and rounding the mineral flavor. Aftertaste is very long. base of tongue has a nice bitter that gives strength to the tea. the complete scenario shows and outstanding and very balanced tea.
From eigth steep begins to fade, only showing honey sweetness notes, decreasing mineral and smoky flavors.
The combination of old bush with 4 years aging makes a sublime tea. If you try one time sure you’ll want to repeat the experience.
The youthfulness of Cindy Chen joint with the grandparent’ s experience shaped in this tea let shows the beauty of their souls…

It is always important for me if I can purchase teas directly from the grower. From John B’s blog I found Cindy Chen and her family tea farm. Upon her recommendation of choosing something that is traditionally consumed by her family I purchased this tea. A really delightful tea with rich malt and sweetness that lingers on the the tongue. The tea holds its tastes for many steeps. One of my favorites to date. If you have the funds, I recommend this one to try.

Initially, I can taste the high roast of the tea, which is immediately warming to the body, like gentle sunshine on the face. Then, a light honey flavor envelopes the mouth which gives way to a soft floral and honey aftertaste. A very relaxed mouth feel with lingering sweetness in the breath. A very soft and subtle tea which offers warmth & relaxtion.