2024 Gui Fei Premium Oolong Tea

Tea opens with spice — not exactly cinnamon, but close — and a liqueur-like aromatic effect that’s hard to define, though it stands out as a central theme. Sweetness and brightness don’t match the other tea, but there’s enough sweetness to balance the rest. It definitely doesn’t come across as savory, though that impression might linger in the background. The flavor is complex, integrated, and hard to break into discrete elements — it all comes together.

When brewed too strong, the intensity doesn’t work as well; a bit of sourness stands out with the longer infusion. That might be considered a flaw, or just an artifact of overbrewing. Brewed more conventionally — around 15 seconds — it balances much better. That sour edge drops out, as harsh tones can early in a session of young sheng. The tea becomes quite pleasant.

The spice persists but remains hard to isolate — perhaps not cinnamon at all, but a bark spice, or something incense-like, maybe sandalwood. The fruit range is there too, but again, not framed in a distinct way. Roast and warm mineral tones contribute, giving the tea body and fullness, not in a dry way, but with a sense of developing structure.

The liqueur-like character is especially pleasant, and what seems like incense or bark spice — likely derived from aromatic woods — really makes this tea stand out. It may not suit everyone equally, but few would be put off. This Gui Fei comes across as more grounding — maybe better for cooler days, even if, in the Bangkok heat, it still holds its charm. This isn’t a tea you rush through; it’s one you sip to the last drop.

This oolong is superb — smooth, pleasant, and easy to drink. Nothing more to add — it’s truly a benchmark oolong.

The aromatics of dry leaf are bright and fresh, with floral, honey and berry notes reminiscent of jam or jam flavours. Warmed teapot is sweet and bright, promising a full-bodied flavour.

Warmed teapot.
The smell warms up with berry jam with hints of floral and honey, creating a cosy and warm bouquet. Meadow flowers appear in the background, emphasising the sweetness and lightness.

The aroma in a cup.
Honey notes combined with herbs and meadow flowers. It has a deep and rich aroma reminiscent of a fragrant summer meadow.

Flavour
First steep.
The flavour shows a light berry acidity mixed with honey and herbal notes. All in moderate tones, creating a harmonious balance and smoothness.

Second steep.
The sweetness intensifies, the flavour becomes more vibrant and a jammy note is revealed. Herbs and meadow flowers in the aftertaste add freshness and lightness. It feels like enjoying a spoonful of honey, filling the mouth with warmth and sweetness.

Overall Impression.

The tea makes a mild and rich impression. Its bright sweetness, deep honey and herbal notes create an unforgettable feeling like a summer honey dessert. The tea gives a feeling of cosiness and tenderness, turning the tasting into a real pleasure. This oolong is confidently included in the list of favourites thanks to its bright character and sweet harmony.

Conclusion

This oolong deserves special attention and is suitable for long tea parties, where it unfolds with every new minute. The spills add more variety to the flavour, the honey sweetness and floral tones linger until the last drop, reminiscent of warm summer days and meadow grasses. We were satisfied, I had never seen so much honey in tea, it felt like eating honey with spoons )), and after the ceremony, the sweetness lasted for another hour, which was very cool. Just try it, you will not be disappointed.

Me and my girlfriend (especially her!) liked the tea very much, one of the most delicious oolongs we have tasted. I was impressed by the diversity and richness of smells and the dynamics of flavor development - it is difficult to catch the exact associations, but if you imagine a light summer perfume with a mix of aromas of citrus, plums and flowers, you will get something similar to this tea, although, of course, words can not describe all the magic that happens in the gaiwan. When brewed in a teapot, to my taste, the tea lost a bit of its specialty and became like a good berry gaba - that is, it is still a delicious and lovely tea, but the porcelain gaiwan still brought out all its characteristics better.

This is one of the most delicious oolongs I've ever tasted! The flavor starts out with broad, sweet, mellow notes of bourbon vanilla mixed with the flesh of creamy tropical fruit, then finishes with a graceful, perfumed black tea depth, like an Assam or Darjeeling, with no bitterness or astringency. Like a wonderful, fruity royal milk tea, dancing lightly on the tongue to the last drop. Both playful and distinguished, this is a tea to be savored.