TWL + Xiangming Tea Factory Preorder

We are proud to offer a preorder of teas from a maker that we have followed for almost 10 years.  After sampling the teas extensively, we have selected a few key productions that we hope to offer long term. We are opening up our initial bulk purchase to our customers as a preorder, with prices set lower than will appear afterwards.

Generally, the teas from this maker use excellent materials and are traditionally processed, and the storage is on the drier side of natural storage, with some stored in South Korea and some in Kunming.  While this tea has seen drier storage than our other Taiwan and Malaysian offerings, the material behind the cakes is excellent and shows itself in a vibrant and strong fashion.   Another interesting aspect is that the producer travels throughout Yunnan, not just in Yiwu and Manzhuan but also in Menghai and Lincang.  We are particularly excited to be able to offer mid-aged gushu teas from these other regions.    See below for descriptions of the teas.

The preorder will close on July 01, 2025; this preorder will take several weeks to fulfill after it closes, and cannot be combined with other orders.  Please be patient with this one-time event!

2007 Mangzhi Gushu Single-Origin, 2007 Manlin Gushu Single-Origin
These two teas are beautiful single-origin gushu cakes made from Mangzhi mountain and Manlin village (in the Manzhuan mountain area), which this producer knows well.  Of a similar quality as the early Biyun Hao and Chenyuan Hao Manzhuan cakes, but with a distinctive style and drier storage.  Good processing and recommended for long term aging.  Also, these cakes are among the earliest productions still available from this maker.

2007 Six Mountain Arbor Blend
An even blend from the six famous tea mountains (Youle, Mangzhi, Manzhuan, Yibang, and Gedeng), this tea was made from very good arbor material (the maker defines arbor as approximately 120 years old and gushu as approximately 300 years old, though this is a very rough estimate based on tree size and characteristics).  This would be an interesting comparison against the Shanzong Chuanqi from CYH.  The tea has a touch of smokiness, similar to that from the 2006 DTH Yiwu, and with a strong bittersweet flavour and a deep focusing effect.

2007 Lincang/Menghai Gushu Blend
This fascinating tea is a wide blend of high quality gushu material from twelve tea mountains in Lincang and Menghai areas.  A thick and concentrated brew, perhaps even heavy and full-bodied, with a complex array of floral, sweet, and bitter notes. Strong mouthfeel and tannins, and a deep relaxing effect.  A unique tea that is not similar to any of our other offerings.

2010 Manzhuan Arbor
The maker produces Manzhuan cakes every year, and this is a particularly good vintage of his Arbor material cake, from trees approximately 120 years old.  This was one of the top favourites on the tasting panel, with a strong juicy flavour, thick liquor, and excellent body feel, with a satisfying mouthfeel.  Strongly recommended and a great comparison with the Biyun Hao Manzhuan productions.

2011 Nannuo Gushu
A rare example of excellent mid-aged single-origin Nannuo gushu material, this tea showcases great aromatics in the cup and a long and complex texture and huigan. Thick and concentrated, medicinal, savoury, velvety.   Clear focusing and active energy. Another top favourite of the tasting panel.