Bing Dao Lao Zhai (lit Bing Dao Old Village) is one of the two villages called “Bing Dao”. There is Bing Dao Xin Zhai (lit. Bing Dao New Village) as well, which is the more famous of the two villages in the same area. Bing Dao Lao Zhai trees range in age from 100-300 years old, and while there are older trees we were not privy to that material due to high demand and very high prices. That being said this is still the most expensive Lincang tea we have ever produced. It is also one of the best we have produced and if you want to drink Bing Dao tea from relatively old trees, then this is an excellent choice!
It’s interesting that “Bing Dao” means “Ice Island” in Chinese, because this tea is very cool in the mouth and is at once subtle and powerful. It’s got a “creep up on you” cha qi and a powerful pungent mouth-feeling that will stay with you long after your session has ended. There is is bitterness and astringency but it’s never center stage and adds to the complexity of this tea. One of the more difficult to describe raw pu-erhs I have had. It can only really be judged by several sessions, so I recommend buying at least 25 grams to start.
Vintage: October 2019 material
Quantity: 75 cakes in total produced (30 kg)
Area: Bing Dao village, Mengku County, Lincang Prefecture
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