Lao Bai Cha 'Little Gold Ingot' Aged White Tea, 2016–2022, 100 g

"Little Gold Ingot" is an exclusive aged white tea of the Shou Mei variety from the prized Fuding region of Fujian province.

The material for this compressed brick was picked in spring 2016 from bushes of the traditional Fuding Da Hao and Fuding Da Bai cultivars.

Over six years the tea aged naturally in loose-leaf form, then in 2022 was pressed into a convenient 100-gram tile and wrapped in elegant gold foil.

The exposed brick has a mature look: densely pressed leaves in deep chocolate, chestnut and brown tones, generously dotted with silvery-russet downy buds.

The liquor pours a rich dark-amber colour with a bright glow. The taste is incredibly smooth, soft and sweet, entirely free of bitterness.

The multi-layered profile reveals notes of dried dark fruit, dates, prunes, baked apple and thick autumn honey with a lingering sweet finish.