Floating Leaves Tea recently came back from Taiwan with a lot of goodies, and one of the first teas I got was their Aged Heritage Wuyi Oolong. Dive deeper into the details, and this tea is from 2011, a Wuyi cultivar, grown in Shi-Ding where Baozhong is grown. It was processed with higher oxidation and roast, similar to a Wuyi tea.
Leaf and Steeping Method
The leaves smell like an old cupboard filled with roasted nuts.
I went with a gongfu ratio of around 1 gram of leaf per 15ml of vessel size, steeped in boiling water. After a rinse, the aged oolong has an old woody, and potent raspberry scent.
Tasting of Floating Leaves Tea’s Aged Heritage Wuyi Oolong
First, Second, Third, and Fourth Infusion: Aged Heritage Wuyi Oolong is rich and dark cherry wood stems, with a plummy fruity note that lingers in the aftertaste. Some sips taste like old cupboards, and others are roasted peanut shells. Overall, this oolong is quite dark and rich, and smooth. This tea is thick with a creamy mouthfeel with a throat clogging feeling, setting the pace to drink this tea slowly. After a couple of rounds, I’m starting to feel full, like I ate a whole meal.
Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Infusion: The aged Taiwanese Wuyi oolong is developing a mineral note, floating with the old roasted wood and slightly sharp plum skins. There is a bit of astringency here, making the aftertaste stronger and more plums. I am getting fuzzy brained and distracted, making writing this review tricky.
Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Infusion: Aged Heritage Wuyi has shifted, losing the dark elements and tasting just minerals and plums, but still holding onto the thick batter texture. The final steeps are rock sugar and fruity sweet with hints of caramel. I love these last infusions as they are quite a contrast to the early ones.
Despite the thick body feels, I am feeling very hungry after drinking this.
Comments
If you love aged, dark, roasted Wuyi teas, Floating Leaves Tea’s Aged Heritage Wuyi is fantastic. This tea has so much aroma, heavy body, and feels, along with a dark, fruity, nutty, and mineral flavor. What sets Aged Heritage Wuyi apart is the amazing plummy aftertaste that has stuck around from age and roasting. It is a great tea to nerd over too, being a Taiwanese Wuyi.
