Lapsang Souchong 2012 Reserve

This traditional Zhenshan Xiaozhong, or "Lapsang Souchong," comes from Mali Village in the Tongmuguan region of Wuyishan. At 1600 m above sea level, Mali Village sits at the highest mountain peak within this area. This high altitude region, which sees a great deal of rainfall, suspended fog, and drastic fluctuations in temperature throughout the day, produces some of the best black teas in the world.

This should not be read as a platitude: Tongmuguan is known as the birthplace of black tea, and is one of the most revered tea regions in China. The expanse of healthy, mountainous forest here is breathtaking. Tea plants grow strong and resilient here, scattered throughout the steep hills, supported by the diverse forest, and sheltered by bamboo trees and rocky outcroppings.

The leaves for this Lapsang Souchong come from these semi-wild groves of tea trees. Once picked, they are slow-smoked in a small wooden house. This structure was built out of local pine in the 1930's and has been used continuously since, developing complex layers of aroma.

Traditional lapsang souchong is distinctly smokey, but not overpowering. The notes of smoke, ash, and forest are integrated with the sap-like sweetness of the oxidized tea leaves.

While still caffeinated, this tea is deeply soothing. Perhaps because its gentle warmth feels like a perfect inverse of the cool, wet, challenging conditions that produce it. It is, by nature, restorative, offering what some describe as a spa-like experience.