Tuesday, November 25, 2008

2004 Nanjian Phoenix Tuocha


I never get too excited about drinking tuos, I don't know why, maybe it's just because I haven't fallen in love with any of them, but it leads them to sit around forever. I can't remember when I got this tuo, but it managed to survive the storage mishap without so much as a speck of mold.


It is is low-grade, made up of very small pieces of leaf, and some very, very small leaves. Definitely not daye (large-leaf). Perhaps as a direct result, the soup is thick, cloudy, and a pleasant orange. Aroma is light, grassy (dry), and something spicy. The taste has a lot of kick, but not much flavor, very prone to becoming overly astringent, bitter, and dry. No aftertaste more than a dry grass, and unsweet honey. However, as the more intense flavors die off in later infusions, a light honey taste and sweetness shines through.


Overall, the tea isn't any good to drink yet. I guess all the kick it has is going to result in some lasting complexity as it ages. I probably won't drink this stuff again for at least another 5-10 years. On the plus side, it does feel like this tea is doing a number on all the extra food in my belly.

1 comment:

Ecclenser said...

I considered purchasing this. From what you experienced, it seems rather standard in its current state.

I tried some of the Yunnan Silver tuo chas from Jim which are okay. They also taste somewhat standard, but are quite strong.

Let the aging begin...