2023 Dong Ding Oolong Tea, Charcoal Dark Roasted

In the age of machines, fewer and fewer tea masters are able and willing to roast oolongs on charcoal. It is a very time-consuming process that requires experience and understanding. Therefore, this Dong Ding delivers a special joy, it’s made masterfully.

The matte spheres of oolong resemble old loose shu - velvety, without a polishing sheen, which is quite unusual and again refers us to charcoal roast.

Rinsed, the tea instantly captivates with the thick aroma of dark chocolate and wheat biscuits. If you push the chocolate aside and shift your attention to the background, there are malt notes, cognac barrel, fruit melody, vanilla, homemade sugar candy and a classic for high-fire oolongs cigar.

The next pleasant fact, especially for a well-baked oolong, is that the tea is very soft. Considering only the softness and not touching the other markers, we can give it about ten years of aging. The over-brewing test is also passed perfectly: the tea shows no excessive bitterness. And here again about the master’s level: you need skills to make a high-fire oolong so soft right from the beginning.

What organoleptic heights this Dong Ding will reach in a couple of years, we can only fantasize at the moment. We’ll see if there is anything left in stock.

The flavor palate matches the aroma: dense dark chocolate, biscuits, almond and malt notes. In the background–cognac barrel and cigar with classic Dong Ding tannins. In the aftertaste–chocolate candy, homemade caramel, hazelnuts.

The tea warms up nicely and fills with vivacity. It would be perfect as a non-alcoholic digestif at an exquisite gourmet evening. It's worth noting that this is the most "chocolate" tea in our store; drinking it with sweets is a particular pleasure, we’ve checked.

This is one of those oolongs that is good to buy for a collection for long-term storage.

The batch is only 30 kg, the lot is rare, do not postpone the purchase.

Reviews (3)