Alishan Competition King of Jin Xuan Jade Oolong Tea - Spring 2016

Like every tea growing region in Taiwan, the Alishan region has its own competition each spring and winter. Numerous competitions in occur in various localities in Taiwan where locally grown teas are entered in competitions where prizes are awarded.  A tea that places well in a competition can fetch a higher price depending on it's placement, the size of the competition and the pedigree of the tea's growing area. Perhaps not every one of them will be worth the price tag, but many entered in local competitions (like the Alishan competition) can place and still not have an astronomical price tag.  The Jin Xuan we are offering here is one such tea that we felt was both excellent and fairly priced.  Demand for this tea was high so we can only offer a few jing to our esteemed customers.

This lovely Jin Xuan grown at medium altitude of 1000 meters is extremely soft in flavour with an optimum roast which brings it to its best state. The so called milky note has been transformed into an interesting note of fruit and bamboo shoots with a mellow and thick body. This is the tea for people who are looking for a high mountain Jin Xuan that was grown and processed to near perfection.

Harvest:  Spring 2016 / 春 貳零壹陸

Varietal:  Jin Xuan /  金萱

Elevation:  1000 M / 壹仟 公尺

Region:  Alishan / 阿里山 

Oxidation Level:  30% / 分之 參拾

Roast Level:  3 / 參 分 

 I was totally blown away by this tea.  It's complex, fruity, with some of that creamy character that Jin Xuan is famous for (but so rarely has).  Complex with a strong mouth-feel and pungent aroma.  The best Jin Xuan from Taiwan that I have ever had!    

 I chose to enjoy this king of teas in the fresh morning air after the high desert rains subsided. Immediately I was taken by the remarkable dry leaf aroma in the heated pot. Rich sweet subtle toastiness filled my senses. The first pour had a full lovely body and taste while the wet leaf aroma was also truly exquisite. After only a few rounds I noticed a lot of returning flavors and sensations. As I steeped with the tea I felt more and more like it lived up to its name. It was a real joy to be enveloped by this "King of Jin Xuan".

 As an old dog that has a delicate tongue, it must says this is one of the most "soft" tea an old dog has ever had. By saying it "soft" does not mean that it has no flavor or weak aroma, but its overall interaction with tongue. It has a powerful and "untacky" aroma compared to most of the Jin Xuan varietal, and has a very complex character thanks to its wonderful roasting. But the "body" of this tea is so soft, that an old dog was very surprised and happy to lick it with an old dog's soft tongue. This is definitely the king of Jin Xuan without question.