One of my favourites from the Hei Cha sampler is this aged Liu Bao. All Liu Bao teas I’ve had have a somewhat simple profile and this one is no exception. However, it is exceptional in how much of a comforting brew it produces. I have little doubt that it has to do with a successful maturation process over the last 17 years. Moreover, it seems to last longer than similar teas, I got just short of 200ml/g from it.
The dry leaf aroma is distinctively “dungeon-like”. In the wet leaf smell, I further noticed notes of decaying wood, pear, leather, tobacco, cherry, and burnt popcorn. The taste is tart, earthy, bitter and nutty, with notes of pine, wet wood, walnuts, and nutmeg. I find it very hard to place the aftertaste in relation to anything, but it is long-lasting with an interesting character – seems to disappear and reappear over time. Finally, the mouthfeel is very smooth and colloidal with a medium body to the liquor.
Song pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0xlVDLCXGo
Flavors: Bitter, Burnt Food, Cherry, Decayed Wood, Earth, Leather, Nutmeg, Nutty, Pear, Pine, Popcorn, Tart, Tobacco, Wet Wood
