Old Grove Lingtou Baiye

Lingtou Baiye is a classic tea. It is known for its distinct honey notes, underlying a very beautiful floral fragrance that fills the nasal passages. It is famously full-bodied, while still being refreshing. Good Lingtou Baiye from higher elevation villages like this one can be aged up to 20 years.

Since the 1960s Lingtou Village in Shuangbinniang Mountain has been cultivating the Baiye varietal of Phoenix Oolong and receiving a great deal of attention for it! "Lingtou" is the name of the village where this varietal originated, and "Baiye" translates to "white leaf." In the 1980s this varietal was classified by the China State Commerce Department as "China's Famous Tea." In the 1990s it was listed as "tea for state guests," and was served to important foreign visitors at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

The earliest classification of Phoenix Oolong were 白叶 Baiye (white leaf) or 乌叶 Wuye (dark leaf), depending on the color of the fresh new leaves. The classification of Phoenix Oolong by aroma, (like Huangzhixiang for gardenia scent, Molixiang for jasmine scent), appeared later, after land reforms in the 1950s when tea estates were given to individual tea farmers who then took liberty naming their teas.

This classic Phoenix oolong is incredibly delicious. It opens quickly, revealing its complex fragrance and smooth body in the first infusion. Its tasting notes remind us of the bruising process the tea leaves went through: in its bright golden liquor we find dark purple flowers, cooked fruits, and black plum.

Old Grove oolongs last for many, many infusions. At first they are very dynamic and captivate our full attention, then eventually they level out, sustaining a beautiful flavour and full body for a surprisingly long time. This is a tea to sit with.