We discovered this tea while doing a deep dive in one of the warehouses of Xiangming Gudianman Tea Factory. It was stored as maocha in very good conditions, sealed in a box in Xiangming then subsequently in Kunming. We pressed this into cakes for ease of storage and further ageing.
The storage has been perfect, allowing the tea to change in controlled conditions and maintain the character of the tea.
This is a very nice tea. Pure ancient tree material, super smooth, woody sweetness and concentrated character. The greenness of youth has gone and it's firmly in mid-aged territory. It has plenty of strength and thickness to continue to age well throughout the years.
Taozizhai has become quite sought after in recent years due to its ancient trees and pristine forest conditions. This example, from a time when it was still relatively unknown shows why it gained its name and recognition in the market.
